The
University of
Illinois was founded before most of the western territories became states, and the Chief has been a deep tradition tied to that spirited school for almost 80 years (that’s almost as long as my Illini side of the family has been there). But this February, the ACLU finally succeeded in removing this proud icon of college sports from the arena.
The ACLU saw Chief Illiniwek as “hostile and abusive.”
What?!?!?!? For one thing, the chief was performed as a human being dressed in full war-garb, not “some bunky beaver,” as my dad would say. The U of I’s portrayal of the Illini chief was one of an inspiring and powerful leader, and a worthy adversary. I would think that an image like that would make Native Americans happy (or at least the non-Native-Americans who have taken up harassment of such college mascots as their cause). The Illinis’ great performance at recent NCAA basketball tournaments is another way that they are carrying the name with respect to make it proud.
What about the Spartans? I’ve seen more high schools and junior high schools with the team name Spartans…. But you don’t hear Gerard Butler or the present residents of the
Peloponnesus getting upset about it. What about the
Minnesota Vikings? All those of Norwegian decent should be up in arms about that. Heck, we should all be upset over the New England PATRIOTS!!! …what about that “winningest high school basketball team,” the Centralia Orphans? Who’s going to stand up for the Ukrainian and Russian orphans being sold for profit by their governments? WHAT ABOUT THE FIGHTING IRISH? Are they next? I mean, the Irish have put up with an awful lot of crap in their history, from prejudice in this country to government induced famine in their own land, does the ACLU intend to strip that Catholic school of an emblem that rallies their students and represents their own history as a University?
At some point, Chief Illiniwek as a symbol was no longer restricted to the hearts of Native Americans. He became a hero to red-neck farmers and pasty white, pencil-necked math nerds. He inspired a heart-full of hope and spirit, and enriched the University experience of the better part of my family.
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