Word: illiniwek
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That streak, however, came to a rightful end when the University of Illinois retired the figure in February. Chief Illiniwek, portrayed by a student in buckskin clothes and face paint, is a racist symbol of older, less understanding times. At least seven Native American groups, local and national, have lobbied to eliminate him. The documentary “In Whose Honor?” traces one activist’s fight against Illinois’ “degrading depictions” of her fellow Native Americans...
...traditionalists cling tight to their retired mascot. To them, Chief Illiniwek is an honorable part of the state’s identity. But there are certainly more productive ways to honor natives than a cheap caricature that rolls every Native American stereotype into...
...NCAA realized as much when it told the University of Illinois in 2005 that it could not host playoff games until Chief Illiniwek was retired. The school complied—until last month’s homecoming parade, where it allowed chief-decorated floats. Since the NCAA’s ultimatum applied only to athletic events, the parade allowed the university to weasel its way out of the restriction. It is outrageous that Illinois is undercutting its official stance by trying to have it both ways. Racism cannot be compromised; it’s one or the other...
...free speech. But although the parade was public, it was obviously a school event. Its floats reflected on Illinois, so it had the right (and duty) to regulate the event’s message. The administration would probably have vetoed a swastika—so why not Chief Illiniwek...
...abstract. Long overdue is the realization that Native Americans are not America’s peculiar toy to jerk around—they are a people as distinctive as any. It may not correct the massive injustices dealt to Native Americans in the past, but the death of Chief Illiniwek will at least afford them basic respect...