Mascots, racism and language: Required reading
Tim Giago's latest op-ed on the mascot issue is up at Indianz.com. A few wonderful excerpts (please go read the whole thing):
Many of the fans and alumni of the 'Fighting Illini' were at first puzzled and then angered at the audacity of this young Indian lady. Some spat on her as they walked past and others flipped burning cigarettes at her. But she tearfully stood her ground because she had grown increasingly sick and tired of having her people insulted every Saturday for the sake of a football game.
To stand alone in the face of such fury and anger from a supposed educated segment of America's white society took courage and determination, but the constant insults and abuse soon caused Ms. Teters to waver. Her fear was mostly for that of her children and not herself. But tell me this; why should any person fear for their very lives for protesting the use of Indians as mascots for America's fun and games?
And while I'm flogging good writing on the subject, go read Nezua too. And I've been remiss in linking to Chris' magnificent take-down of Aravosis.
Comments
let me see if i remember what i said...okay really two points.
1. this: Dan Maloney, will do the splits and other non-Indian dance steps for the last time is both hilarious ("the splits and other non-Indian dance steps" !!) and great because it really highlights the ludicrousness of the whole "Indian Mascot" idea.
2. the article really angers me after that because, well, because it reminds me as much as i try to forget how stupid and out of their mind crazy these haters are. "go back to where you came from." as if anyone could add anything to that, eh? i mean what could you even answer?
and on the Eracist Jonnyboy: i'm baffled. how can anyone, knowing what happened in this country to the indigenous, even for a MOMENT defend a prancing fake indian dance for sports? on the very land where...agh. it's just the same as how I felt watching this movie when shirley temple made a black man dance to her flute. bouncing her shiny curls and smiling.
Posted by: nezua limón xolagrafik-jones | February 19, 2007 10:55 PM
I just wanted to add my two bits here too. I think that this Aravosis guy is a bigot, plain and simple. Being a member of a marginalized group (e.g. homosexuals) does not mean that you should get a pass when you engage in blatantly disrespectful and offensive behavior against another group that is also still being marginalized and killed off in ways that no other group in this country experiences. This guy has gone out of his way to prove that he should not be taken seriously at all.
He's not against discrimination; He just doesn't want to be the victim of it.
Posted by: bint alshamsa | February 20, 2007 10:16 AM
good post. the video of C. Teters being abused by those who fancy themselves as defending the honor of the chief always makes me particularly sad. she was a big part of the superbowl protest a few years ago (redskins versus some team). if memory serves, she was jailed, but not charged, at that protest.
Posted by: erizzle | February 20, 2007 11:33 AM