The following transcript is from the 4/14/00 Chief Illiniwek dialogue "intake session". It is an unedited excerpt from the original U.I. document.

I grew up in a county that was 100 percent European American. I attended a high school whose identity was the Red Ravens. I played sports in a conference that had a team named the Pekin Chinks.

And I found this University to be a very important place for me where I grew in my understanding of cultural diversity and passivity. Many people have talked about Chief Illiniwek as an honored and revered symbol, or an honored and sacred symbol. As a person whose profession is in the religious community, I think I know something about such symbols.

And I have listened carefully to my Native American brothers and sisters who are part of the United Methodist Church and other faith communities. And they have reminded me about honor and revered symbols and about honor and sacred symbols in terms of their authenticity, how and where the symbol is displayed and the unity and pride that it represents as a way to recognize those that are truly honored and revered or honored and sacred symbols.

Questions have been brought up all day long that remind us to really consider the authenticity of Chief Illiniwek. From the music that is used, from the dance steps that are used, to the costume that is a part of it. That symbol raises some serious questions about its authenticity. How that symbol is displayed, I have seen it on lamp shades, I have seen it on posters, I have seen it on schedules of sporting events. I know various places where that symbol is displayed. And sometimes it does not say much in terms of being honored and revered.

And many today have addressed the questions of whether or not this symbol brings unity and pride to this community. As to the issue of political correctness, sometimes we have to overcome our tendency to exclude, our prejudice and our racism, not based on a set of votes, but because it is simply the right and just and wise choice.

In the county where I was raised, it was not considered offensive to not have any other ethnic groups as a part of the population of that county. It was acceptable to have a high school with a team named the Pekin Chinks and nobody saw anything wrong with that. But it was not the just and right and fair thing to do. Many of you are familiar with Rotary, are involved in Rotary. And I want to remind us of the Rotary four way test as I conclude these remarks.

The Rotary four way test says is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I ask you as you consider the possibility of retiring this honored and revered symbol, Chief Illiniwek, what is the truth of this, what would be fair to all concerned? What builds good will and better friendships and what is the benefit that could come out for our Native American brothers and sisters. Thank you.

See the U.I. Dialogue on Chief Illiniwek page for more transcripts and information.