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Essays, Opinion, & Commentary |
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August 15, 2005
by David A. Yeagley, Ph.D.
The use of Indian names, logos, or mascots is "abusive" and "hostile" toward Indians, say these non-Indian committeemen. Of course, they're basing their theoretical righteousness on the presumptuous statement created by another non-Indian committee, United States Commission on Civil Rights (2001). Elsie Meeks, the blue-eyed, white-skinned "Indian" from South Dakota served as the first (and last?) such Indian on the USCCR, and was responsible for the much doubted and disputed research allegedly forming the foundation of the artificial statement. NCAA Executive Committee Chairman Walt Harrison (also president of the University of Harford), says "we do not think these types of mascots are appropriate for NCAA championships" and then disguises the NCAA ruling as a gesture of freedom for the university! We want "to say to the [college] institution that you have the autonomy to deal with it as you wish." Vernon Bellecourt, brother of Clyde -- the great Chippewa anti-"warrior" who preaches that Indians are more pitiful than a helpless, dying woman, is pleased with the NCAA's decision, but it's still not enough for him. He wants all Indian names and logos removed from all teams, everywhere. This grand vision is the antithesis of the spirit that made Indians great, but, it's what we expect from anti-Indians. These Leftist-trained protesters wreak their ethnic cleansing in ever-increasing intensity. They won't be happy until every Indian name is removed from every river, state, county and town in America. Never mind what real Indians think. There has been only one national, professional survey (Peter Harris) of their thoughts, and 83 percent were not offended, even by names like the Washington Redskins. That survey was published in Sports Illustrated, May 4, 2002. But the NCAA doesn't care what Indians think. The Florida Seminole Tribe was ignored completely, even after they unanimously supported the used of the Florida State "Seminole" name and mascot. And the Florida State Seminoles aren't going to take this tyrannical ruling by the NCAA, either. Florida State University president T. K. Wetherell said, "I intend to pursue all legal avenues to insure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will ever be associated with the' unconquered' spirits of the Seminole Tribe of Florida." Wetherell shows more respect for Indians than the Bellecourt brothers. And Florida Governor Jeb Bush supports letting FSU keep its nickname and mascot, a spokeswoman said Friday. ''The governor agrees with the Seminole Indian tribe that the term Seminole and the symbol of Chief Osceola are not offensive and are a rich part of the Florida State University tradition." Why doesn't this matter to Harrison and the NCAA? Why don't they care what other people -- particularly Indians -- think? Where does the committee get such peremptory authority? The same tyranny happened in the Nyack Indians story in New York. A small high school board ruled against the community to remove the school's Indian logo, yet there wasn't an Indian living in a fifty mile radius of the school. In fact, the Nyack Indians disappeared some 350 years ago. But the presumptuous school board, anxious to keep pace with the national trends of tyranny in the Leftist-controlled education system, overruled the people, declared the Nyack Indians logo offensive, and removed it. Committees within the American educational system, even elected committees, simply do not consult the people. Committees make their own decisions. It's all about power, indeed, tyranny. It's not about what the people want. It's about power grabbing by a very few individuals -- dictating to the masses, even when the masses are opposed. Communism is alive and well in the education system. But the NCAA is not even an educational body, and their mission statement addresses no such concerns as mascots. The blurb about "institutional autonomy" which Harrison quotes is wholly ironic, since the NCAA rule against mascots distinctly robs the college institution of its freedom to choose. "You do what we say, or you can't play." That's the NCAA position on a school's athletic activity. The NCAA doesn't control the 28 college bowl games yet, but just 88 post-season tournaments. That should satisfy them for now.
Dr. David A. Yeagley is a published scholar, professionally recorded composer, and an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Liberal Studies. He's on the speakers list of Young America's Foundation. E-mail him at badeagle2000@yahoo.com. View his website at http://www.badeagle.com. Because The Radical Academy publishes essays and articles on its website does not imply acceptance or approval of the comments or opinions expressed by the author of the material. Nor is the Academy responsible for any misrepresentation of the facts included. It is your job to be a critical reader. Feel free to respond to this article in The Radical Academy Forum.
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A
non-Indian committee has decided that American
Indians cannot bear the shame of an Indian mascot.
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