Comments on: University of Illinois and Chief Illiniwek http://ericstoller.com/blog/2007/01/10/university-of-illinois-and-chief-illiniwek/ | social justice | higher education | technology | Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:21:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Gardner Deegan http://ericstoller.com/blog/2007/01/10/university-of-illinois-and-chief-illiniwek/#comment-4703 Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:43:12 +0000 http://ericstoller.com/blog/2007/01/10/university-of-illinois-and-chief-illiniwek/#comment-4703 It is apparent that many people have many different views about this issue. Feelings aside it's hard to imagine those same people would stand for their traditions being used. Please note that the words exploited or disrespected are not used in my view. If anyone is going to use our traditions for any reason whatsoever, I would expect it to be done WITH respect and WITHOUT exploitation. Intentions aside I can't help but wonder why the university was never told that the costume is not culturally correct. By this I mean the mixture of regional dress into one costume. If ever there was an acceptance of a current depiction of the "American Clown" the mascot for the University of Illinios might still have a future in parades and mall openings. I don't condone the use of any culture for commercial or entertainment purposes anymore than I would support the Frito Bandito or Sambo's Restaurant (remember them?). The chief of the Wannabe Tribe was a lighter shade of pale on ESPN for his last performance. At least the embarrassment is no longer theirs. That being said I sorta feel for the university. I will let you decide whether I should feel bad for them or glad for us. It is apparent that many people have many different views about this issue. Feelings aside it’s hard to imagine those same people would stand for their traditions being used. Please note that the words exploited or disrespected are not used in my view. If anyone is going to use our traditions for any reason whatsoever, I would expect it to be done WITH respect and WITHOUT exploitation. Intentions aside I can’t help but wonder why the university was never told that the costume is not culturally correct. By this I mean the mixture of regional dress into one costume. If ever there was an acceptance of a current depiction of the “American Clown” the mascot for the University of Illinios might still have a future in parades and mall openings. I don’t condone the use of any culture for commercial or entertainment purposes anymore than I would support the Frito Bandito or Sambo’s Restaurant (remember them?). The chief of the Wannabe Tribe was a lighter shade of pale on ESPN for his last performance. At least the embarrassment is no longer theirs. That being said I sorta feel for the university. I will let you decide whether I should feel bad for them or glad for us.

]]> by: Dennis Bennett http://ericstoller.com/blog/2007/01/10/university-of-illinois-and-chief-illiniwek/#comment-3734 Sun, 14 Jan 2007 18:34:27 +0000 http://ericstoller.com/blog/2007/01/10/university-of-illinois-and-chief-illiniwek/#comment-3734 Yikes! Almost makes one want to create a new mascot, "white guys who don't get it." Of course, if we were to do so, then they <em>still</em> wouldn't get it. Patriotism, and now school spirit, the last refuges of scoundrels. Yikes! Almost makes one want to create a new mascot, “white guys who don’t get it.” Of course, if we were to do so, then they still wouldn’t get it.

Patriotism, and now school spirit, the last refuges of scoundrels.

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