Feb
16
I wrote way back when about the NCAA clamping down on “offensive” mascots, and dangling the threat of post-season implications in front of universities whose mascots were criticized. This afternoon the Lansing State Journal is reporting that the University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek will be no more:
The University of Illinois will drop its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men’s home game of the season on Wednesday, officials said.The move makes the school eligible to host postseason NCAA championship events.The NCAA in 2005 deemed Illiniwek – portrayed by buckskin-clad students who dance at home football and basketball games and other athletic events – an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
Good job, guys! But what about all of the other references to “Illinois” and “Illini”…or even the state name for that matter? We should probably remove all reference to any sort of Native American tribes, lest they be offensive to someone. Hell, we should probably remove all names of anything, because someone somewhere might not like it. Better get rid of words and letters, too – I hate how that letter “E” is everywhere and looks all smug. It is invalidating me by it’s appearance. I propose we go back to using grunts to communicate, and write using dots and scratch marks.
At least in the Illinois case, students are apparently suing to keep the university from “capitulating to the NCAA by announcing the retirement of Chief Illiniwek.” Perhaps this is a frivolous lawsuit that is worthwhile?
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