Illinois Illini mascot to make final appearance tonight

DrewDevil · #1 02-21-2007, 05:24 PM

Chief Illiniwek's last dance

The mascot has been deemed offensive to Native Americans by either Native Americans or supporters of Native Americans.

I am about as non-politically correct as anyone, but this is one PC cause I kinda agree with. It is unthinkable that we would have teams named the "Alabama Blacks" or the "New York Jews," but we still have teams named after Indians.

There is something vaguely (or perhaps clearly) offensive about a white kid from the suburbs dressing up in buckskin and doing an Indian dance, I think.

I might feel differently if I rooted for an Indian team, and I know this causes a long-standing tradition come to an end (Chief Illiniwek has been around for 81 years, according to the article).

But I do think it's time to stop having teams named after Indians. This is a step in the right direction.

Colt McCoy · #2 02-21-2007, 05:27 PM

Does it matter that the Seminole tribe backs FSU and sees it as an honor that the school would want their teams named after them?

72off · #3 02-21-2007, 05:37 PM

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Does it matter that the Seminole tribe backs FSU and sees it as an honor that the school would want their teams named after them?

[/ QUOTE ]

How much money is FSU giving them?

CardSharpCook · #4 02-21-2007, 05:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Does it matter that the Seminole tribe backs FSU and sees it as an honor that the school would want their teams named after them?

[/ QUOTE ]

How much money is FSU giving them?

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I don't think you understand. The Indian tribe, the Seminoles, consider it a sign of respect that FSU would choose to name their sports teams after them.

CardSharpCook · #5 02-21-2007, 05:44 PM

You might be racist because you could believe there is something derogitory about "Fighting Illini", but (probably) see "Yankees" as a term picked for pride. Start to consider that "indian" team names were also pciked for pride just as "Patriots" was.

AngusThermopyle · #6 02-21-2007, 05:49 PM

1. There are no Illiniwek left in Illinois. They were "removed" in the 1830's
2. The outfit he wears is Sioux, not Illiniwek.
3. The "descendants" of the Illiniwek, the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, are currently against the symbol (the University does not call him a 'mascot'). Even the Sioux have asked that the costume be returned.

bugstud · #7 02-21-2007, 05:51 PM

so what is notre dame's mascot going to be?

savageorc · #8 02-22-2007, 12:36 PM

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Even the Sioux have asked that the costume be returned.

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It wasn't a gift. The university PURCHASED the costume. Asking for the costume back was a political move only.

Colt McCoy · #9 02-21-2007, 05:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Does it matter that the Seminole tribe backs FSU and sees it as an honor that the school would want their teams named after them?

[/ QUOTE ]

How much money is FSU giving them?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think they buy a bunch of stuff from them, but it's not like the tribe really needs it. I think they're one of the richest tribes in the country, if not the richest. They just bought Hard Rock. I think it was last year some group decided it was offensive to them, despite their own feelings on the matter, and filed a lawsuit. To me when you tell someone they're too stupid to know what should be offensive to them, you're the one being a bigot.

MyTurn2Raise · #10 02-21-2007, 05:29 PM

except for the white settlers of Illinois didn't oppress the Illini--your analogy is very incorrect and highlights the real reason the chief is leaving. People from the outside project their racist view on the situation.

the Illini are a part of my history and my state. It's very superficial to just lump them in with native americans.