Ben Sturges, Aug. 16, 2005

The author sent in this poem/song. -- Ed.

from the orange blazers with emblazoned emblems that alums wear
to the bare chested figurines and feather faced finger rings that pull in six figures by the end of the year...

Illinois continues to profit
while real Indians are living in poverty

marketing stereotypes to the masses caught up with their mascot
as protesters parked outside the stadium
have empty beer cans thrown at them.

yet we remainā

camped out in campustown
despite taunts and threats from save the chief fans

making speeches about the white guy in face paint
who might as well be out there tap dancing in blackfaceā

and we will remain here
until the chief is retired
and the images cease to be sold
until the trustees don't delay another year, worried about school spirit

and the racists are pushed back into their homes

pushed back into their holes

Ben Sturges, via the web.