6B
Friday, October 27,1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Kansan apology needed for mascot column
SPORTS RAP
Was someone drunk or did a sober, clear-headed editor really lack the basic sense and integrity necessary to block Chris Austin's embarrassing and offensive column, "Mascots not meant to offend!" I cannot see how this column could be construed as responsible journalism.
I am a self-confessed sports lunatic, and I am not Native American, but even I can recognize distasteful sarcasm (Austin's mock outrage as an Irish-Catholic protesting Notre Dame's Fighting Irish mascot) and dunderheaded
thought.
Austin as self-appointed authority in discerning who should and who should not be offended by mascots is embarrassingly stupid. The fact Austin fails to consider is plain: Mascots such as Fighting Irish, Steelers and Packers are a tribute to local fans and culture; use of Redskins, Indians, Braves and Chiefs borrow from the people culturally, physically and economically displaced by the present users.
Further, the cartoon-like, degrading treatment of Native American traditions in using Indian mascots is clearly offensive. Rarely are Native American people and traditions portrayed proudly, accurately or intelligently. More often, idiotic cartoon images such as the Cleveland Indians' dope-smiling Chief Wahoo and beer-bellied
executive wearing mock head dresses at Arrowhead Stadium comprise our nation's "tribute" to Native Americans.
Indian Nations and their people have suffered centuries of American governmental policies aimed at treaty betrayal and cultural genocide. So if Native Americans are sensitive when the people who pushed them onto reservations next decide to "play Indian" for a joke, then I believe we ought to listen to their outrage.
And certainly, we should not allow columns by insensitive, nonthinkers such as Chris Austin to tell Native Americans that their anger is "all ridiculous."
I think your paper should apo-
gize for your journalistic blunder.
Brad Berntidal
Lawrence resident and Kansas
alumnus
Column draws ludicrous parallel between mascots
In reading Chris Austin's sports column from Oct. 24, "Mascots not meant to offend," I am struck by not only his wholesale insensitivity, but also by his faulty and misinformed logic.
To draw a parallel between the caricature of Chief Wahoo and the mascots of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Green Bay Packers is as ludicrous as it is demeaning. There is nothing flattering about the smiling chief, while both the Steelers and Packers pay homage to the workers of their respective cities. There is nothing flattering about
grown white men dressed in war paint and head dresses. There is nothing flattering about tens of thousands of fans mocking a native American chant, especially when the undertone signals scalping. Further, for Austin to have the nerve to tell a certain group what they should and should not protest rings as destructively patronizing.
In saying, "I see nothing worth protesting for the Native Americans in the sports world," I find it telling that Austin fails to mention the most egregious of the maccs
— the Washington Redskins. It Austin fails to see the inherent racism in that mascot, he is beyond help.
Austin does not understand that he speaks from a privileged position. His ancestors did not have their land stolen from them and then have to suffer the indignity of
seeing stereotypes plastered all over the American sports world. I wonder exactly what sort of enclosed fantasy world Austin has been residing in when he claims, "The only people I see complaining are Native Americans."
MarkLuce Lawrence graduate student
Open your eyes and your mind, Mr. Austin. Your absurd parallels and your weak, misguided attempts at sarcasm are merely a testament to your profound ignorance of the subject you try to discuss.
Students wishing to submit typed letters should include their name, hometown, class and phone number. Mail or deliver them to 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall in care of the sports editor, who reserves the right to edit or reject any letter.
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