"Class of '70," 3/13/2007

(Chief opinion: "VeryAnti") This seems quite unlikely - Ed.

Now that Chief Illiniwek has been banished, the next step MUST be banishing the name Fighting Illini. It too is derogatory (as is the name of the University and state, since Illinois sis simply a French spelling of Illinois).

Therefore, as a way of eradicating any Indian/Native American reference at the University would be to use as a mascot Prairie Pioneers. I doubt that any non-Indian/Native Americans would be offended by the use their heritage. And as only Indians/Native Americans are allowed to decide about the use of their heritage, only non-Indians/Native Americans should be allowed to decide the use of that symbol. Indians/Native Americans should actively be excluded from the decision since it doesn't affect thier heritage.

I suggest that the Fighting Farmer replace Chief Illiniwek.

"Class of '70," via the web.