"A Manca, '90," 3/31/2005

(Chief opinion: VeryAnti)

Why do traditions exist? Just because we have a tradition doesn't make it a good thing if that tradition was born out of ignorance. Native Americans are not as powerful a lobby as say the NAACP. If we were called the Illinois Freedom Fighters and had a tradition consisting of African Americans (or whites in blackface) coming out during a half-time show and doing a slave dance then breaking their chains, we would be outraged. We should similarly be outraged that our Illini tradition is based upon an ignorance of Native American life and custom, it is a bigoted interpretation of Native Americans. Our nation is struggling with some of these traditions, traditions born of bigotry or ignorance, or worse racism. If the universities of our nation, the most dynamic and exciting societies we have, can not lead the way with innovative thinking and problem solving, then who can?

"A Manca, '90," via the web.