6B
Thursday, November 2, 1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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1029 Massachusetts
Columnist needs to remember how the other side feels
Like Chris Austin, I too have some Irish ancestry. And while I didn't grow up watch Notre Dame football, I am fascinated with Ireland. I find it offensive to reduce Ireland to the cartoon caricature of the brawling drunk that Notre Dame uses for its mascot. I see Ireland's history in a different light than Mr. Austin does.
The Emerald Isle was the repository of most of Europe's accumulated knowledge during the Dark Ages. Scholars were able to maintain the Western European academic tradition by fleeing the carriage and barbarism of the Continent. The long tradition of mysticism of that place also is central to my admiration for Irish things.
I have met people from the South who will tell you quite sincerely that they are not bigoted, although they routinely use derogatory names to refer to African Americans. These people don't mean to offend; they are just talking as they always have.
I hope that some Native-American students can explain to Mr. Austin why they are offended by mascots that mock their heritage. These students can explain their feelings to him far more eloquently than I can. I would have to say that the issue is not whether Chris Austin understands why Native Americans are offended, but rather it is a matter of showing basic respect. Unless and until we grant them that first and most basic recognition, we cannot expect to see real acknowledgement of the other serious issues that Native Americans face in the white man's world. Is the belitling of an ancient
earth-centered tradition and belief system for entertainment the best we can do?
SPORTS RAP
Contrary to Mr. Austin's assertion, Native Americans are protesting the cuts in federal spending to support reservations and Indian education, both locally and nationwide. Many Native Americans live in conditions normally confined to Third World countries, with high rates of infant mortality, shorter life expectancy and high rates of alcoholism. I suggest you go to Haskell Indian Nations University with your column and ask some of the students or faculty to enlighten you. Given your position as a sports columnist, I think they would be glad to talk to you.
Scott MacWilliams Lawrence graduate student
I hadn't seen such a blatant lack of sensitivity in an article in a long time as that shown by Chris Austin in the article "Mascots not meant to offend," in the Oct. 24 edition of the Kansan. Chris ought to talk to Native American students at the University, faculty members and members of the Lawrence community who are offended by the mascots and symbols used by sports teams to be better informed. He is a journalist at a major university and yet doesn't make use of factual and primary sources staring him in the face, including the most obvious source of Haskell Indian Nations University.
He is wrong when he implies Native Americans aren't protesting and working on other very important issues that affect their communities, including the two mentioned in the article.
This is the 1990s. These mascots were selected decades ago when the level of awareness of other cultures didn't matter to many Americans.
Surely the educational process and social changes that have occurred over the last 50 or 60 years have had a positive effect and heightened our sensitivity level to the degree that we can choose to do the right thing and not let ill-conceived, old traditions linger at the expense of insulting and in some ways defaming an entire group of American citizens.
Why does he expect Native Americans to quietly accept the indignity forced upon them in our society by ignoring the very obvious symbols that are offensive to many? Just because he has chosen to accept symbols that he feels reflect his personal values, behaviors and desires (the mascot for the Fighting Irish as he described) doesn't mean everyone else feels the same way.
Some Native Americans feel the mascots reflect negatively on them as people and in some ways actually are offensive because they and the accompanying behaviors, (the tomahawk chop, the wearing of paint and feathers) relegate the Native American to the category of warlike savage and include some religious misrepresentations.
He should take some time to walk in the other person's shoes and there are ample opportunities for him to do just that and become better informed.
Marshall Jackson Administrative associate, Student Assistance Center
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