[fotografe]

I got this press release from the PRC on the U of I campus. I cna't beleive this fight has been going on since 1989 and the administrations still does not "get" it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2006

Anti-"Chief" Organization Applauds NCAA Appeal Ruling,
Calls On University of Illinois Board to Do the Right Thing

On Friday, April 28th, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ruled on the mascot appeals of four universities, including the University of Illinois and it's symbol "Chief Illiniwek." The Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative (PRC), which has worked for the elimination of "Chief Illiniwek" since 1989, commends the NCAA for ruling against U of I's appeal and keeping the university on the list of schools with "hostile and abusive" mascots. The ruling against the appeals of the University of Illinois, University of North Dakota, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a mile marker for the movements against race-based mascots.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees reacted quickly to the news in their usual counterproductive method. U of I Board Chairman Lawrence Eppley was quoted in the University's press release as saying, "By branding an 80-year tradition 'hostile and abusive,' the NCAA inappropriately defames generations of Illinoisans and University of Illinois supporters." Tradition should never be used as an argument to retain something; there are many long traditions that have become outdated and inappropriate, like Black Face, Jim Crow laws, denying the right of women and people of color to vote, segregation, slavery, and much more. "I believe that Eppley's comment on the defamation of Illinoisans is ignorant and untrue. As an Illinoisan and U of
I student I feel ashamed of the "Chief" tradition and that Chairman Eppley feels it is appropriate to speak for me," commented Bess Van Asselt, co-coordinator of the PRC.

In addition, Chairman Eppley clearly feels that the University's autonomy is being violated. In the Staff Committee's Response, the NCAA wrote, "As was noted when the August 2005 policy was announced, the Executive Committee is not interfering with member institutions' right to determine what their nickname, mascots or imagery will be. Institutional autonomy continues to be a valued principle. The Executive Committee's policy applies only to the context of NCAA championships." The University cites in their 4/28/06 press release that the athletics will be hardest by the post-season restrictions. U of I spokesperson Tom Hardy wrote, "A ban on hosting NCAA championship events would put Illini athletics at a competitive disadvantage and make it hard to recruit top student athletes and coaches." Hardy goes on to cite the excellence of the athletics programs at U of I. Jen Tayabji, co-coordinator of the PRC, "The University does have an excellent athletics programs and I am a proud supporter of the teams. It's the athletes, the coaches, and the
programs that make them so great, not the presence of 'Chief Illiniwek.' And it's the University, not the NCAA, that is hurting the athletics because the Board chooses to maintain a racist mascot, instead of dealing with the issue and giving the athletics the ability to host post-season play."

The University of Illinois Board has the power to resolve the "Chief
Illiniwek" controversy as they are the ones who perpetuate it. Take heed
from organizations like the NCAA and recognize the hostile and abusive
nature of "Chief Illiniwek." In the best interest of the University, take action today and eliminate the "Chief" in its entirety‹the name, dance, and logo.

###

[mercyteapot]

They must have considered several cases together. They ruled against Indiana University of PA (Indians) recently, too. I read that Florida got a letter of support from the Seminole tribe and won their appeal, though.

[Thunderwolf]

Great posts.



It kind of reminds me of something.

In order for folks to understand how many/most NAIs view racial mascots...let me place another image to ponder.

Let's go with the argument of Tradition...which I agree is B.S..

How would many nurses feel if "a Nurse" was a team mascot, running up and down the court? How do you think that this nurse would be dressed up and acted out? Not in scrubs, I bet. Not behaving like a real nurse either, I bet also.

Hmmm....a team full of men....hmmm...I could see very easily the image of the stereotypical, traditional, female nurse being a mascot. Nurse cap, hot pants or hiked up mini skirt with a bosom bursting at the seams (very sexualized), maybe with a big thermometer or bandages, running up to players and male spectators, up and down the court, taking care of their supposed hurts, acting provocative. How do you think this would fly with actual nurses? Is this image true? Does it harm women? Does it harm men and women who are nurses? Does it harm children who become encultured into believing that nurses are like this?

Ooops...I forgot...we have cheerleaders for the sexualization.
Probably the thing that saves nurses from becoming a mascot.

Characterizations...racial or gender biased...have no place in sports. And when we speak of Tradition...whose Tradition are we referring to in the first place? Is it the "genuine" Tradition of the people being characterized OR is it a Tradition of ignorance by outsiders of that group? Our current sports mascots are of the latter and respect/honor no one. Actually, it shames them all...even its players.

[Marie_LPN, RN]

How would many nurses feel if "a Nurse" was a team mascot, running up and down the court? How do you think that this nurse would be dressed up and acted out? Not in scrubs, I bet. Not behaving like a real nurse either, I bet also.

This describes my feeling of the nurse-sex kitten image. Make me want to puke. One of the reason why i think racial or ethnic mascots should be illegal.

[mercyteapot]

There was a huge controversy at San Diego State about the Monty Montezuma mascot. What I couldn't believe is how many people I would have thought would understand the issue arguing that for the status quo, all in the name of tradition.

[fotografe]

I recently got the ALumni Magazine from Illinois and there was a letter to the editor that suggested the new name for the athletic teams be "Union" (since Union as in Union of states is in the state motto) and have Abe Lincoln as the mascot. I am sure the first thought in people's minds was that having a former president as a mascot was not appropriate. Hmmmm, then how is a supposed leader of a people (even though the Chief is not real) appropriate then?

I thought the idea was brilliant -- I can't wait to see the responses in the next issue. I imagined on Pork Day, along with the frat boys with big pink pig heads on, we would see someone out there with an Abe head on dancing with the pigs on the sideline.

I hope by using this example people would see the how inappropriate the Chief really is and how ludicrious it is to continue with this "tradition".

[nativehealer]

Just to let you folks know, the big wigs at U. of I. like all the attention they are getting over this. I have been there to protest, and the respone we get.... ! Alot of the students want the change, but there are some (like the Alumni) that make it a newspaper hoopla. I believe that it will take more than the NCAA's help to get rid of the "chief".

Native

[Pixiesmom]

I live about 45 minutes south of Champaign and will proudly admit to being a University of Illinois fan. That being said I am all for changing the mascot. Like Thunderwolf posted that there is no place for racial or gender characterization in sports. The excuse of keeping with the current tradition is extremely poor at best. There's a high school near here with the most offensive name for a mascot - they may have changed it, but I doubt it.

I've been enjoying this forum here at allnurses. My ancestors chose to live as white people, or rather Black Irish as they told people so all of the beliefs and traditions are long gone. That saddens me, but I don't wish to be typecast as someone just wanting to play NAI.

Nativehealer, I think it's fantastic that you have protested at the University. Let me know if there's a way that I can help.

[fotografe]

Pixie -- you aren't from Effingham are you?

Originally Posted by Pixiesmom

I live about 45 minutes south of Champaign and will proudly admit to being a University of Illinois fan. That being said I am all for changing the mascot. Like Thunderwolf posted that there is no place for racial or gender characterization in sports. The excuse of keeping with the current tradition is extremely poor at best. There's a high school near here with the most offensive name for a mascot - they may have changed it, but I doubt it.

I've been enjoying this forum here at allnurses. My ancestors chose to live as white people, or rather Black Irish as they told people so all of the beliefs and traditions are long gone. That saddens me, but I don't wish to be typecast as someone just wanting to play NAI.

Nativehealer, I think it's fantastic that you have protested at the University. Let me know if there's a way that I can help.

[Pixiesmom]

Originally Posted by fotografe

Pixie -- you aren't from Effingham are you?

I'm in Mattoon.