The film we watched on the Illinois high school whose mascot was a "Native American" chief named Chief Illiniwek was one that I felt could be seen as extremely controversial. On one hand there was Native Americans whose values and beliefs had been damaged due to such an nontraditional mascot in their eyes. On the other hand there was the students, staff, and alumni of the university whose love for their mascot could not be broken.
I believe that if I were to be completely selfish I would be on "the other hand." I would feel so upset if a group of people tried to get rid of my mascot, our very own Sparty. I do not believe that a mascot could be anything more than a loving and traditional part of any school. I felt that the people protesting in the video were somewhat dramatic about Chief Illiniwek and I do not believe that I could fully understand their distress unless I myself was part of the Native American culture. I understood how it could be offensive but not enough to where there was a fight to completely eliminate such a strong part of Illinois University. The students, staff, and alumni would not have a mascot in order to mock Native Americans. They were only unaware and if anything I would have thought that Native American people would feel proud to have such a figure as their mascot; on the contrary this was not the case!!
As I am still learning, my above views may or may not change, however I would never want to offend or hurt anyone and all I can say is that I have the right to freedom of speech and my opinion is based on my own interpretations and thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Hello Sara,
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois. In my time here, I've taught in the College of Education, the Library School, and now, in American Indian Studies.
The subject of my research, writing, and teaching, is American Indians in children's books.
I am a tribally enrolled Pueblo Indian woman, from Nambe Pueblo, in northern NM.
I have much to say about Chief Illiniwek, and about children's books. I have two online sites that you can look at:
http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
and
http://nativeperspectiveonchiefilliniwek.blogspot.com
The context in which images are created and consumed is crucial to your understanding of literature and its power. From your earlier post, I see you're reading some excellent material.
Best wishes in your exploration,
Debbie
After class this past wednesday, I had to come home and read your blog. I completely agree with a lot of what you wrote. I do think that some of the things the staff and students had to say on the video were a bit harsh, but if anyone fought that hard to get rid of such a big part of our school, such as sparty, I would not be happy. I agree that it was not worth as much of a fight because I do not believe that this mascot was to offend anybody on purpose. But at the same time, like you, I am not Native American, so I guess I would have to be put in their shoes to know how it really could be that offensive.
On the other hand, if it really was that offensive to the Native American culture, I give the mother who fought so hard, props for doing so and doing what she did to stand up for herself, her family, her kids, and her culture. She stood up against a strong, harsh, hard crowd and I find that inspiring.
Hi again, Sara,
I saw your post to "Vote NO" and came back to your page.
The mascot debate here and elsewhere must be placed in a larger context. From very early on, Americans are taught/socialized to view American Indians in a very narrow way.
This happens in a subtle but powerful way. Subtle because you don't notice it, but once you start looking, it becomes apparent.
On my other blog "images of indians" you can see the feathered headdress (good Indian) in (Grizzly Bob) B Bears, and, the bad Indians in L House, or, the like-animals Indians in DANNY AND THE DINOSAUR.
I teach Intro to American Indian Studies here at UIUC, and ask students to pay attention, assigning each student one day to post to our class blog, something that they see... In the grocery store, on TV, in other class rdgs, etc. It's pretty eye-opening when you pay attention.
5:51 in the morning as I write, and my oatmeal is ready! Bye.
Post a Comment