Jeff R., Mar. 19, 2005

Posoh,

I am the Vice President of the American Indian student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I visited your website briefly and read your top 10 reasons for keeping the mascot and found one of my own top 10 lists to give to you. Think about how stupid these questions sound and then ponder why we are asked similar questions on a daily basis. This is just a tiny glimpse into how mainstream America has attempted to turned American Indians into a novelty. The mascot controversy is just one of thousands of examples of White America trying to tell Indians what is best for them. "But Chief Illiniwek is tradition" you say? Are you proud of the tradition of 500 years of genocide on this continent? Point is, some tradition is BAD and should not be continued. Check out this website as well and see how ridiculous it would be if we had "Fighting Whites" as our mascot. www.fightingwhites.org

Jeff
AIRO VP

Top 10 Things You Can't Say To A White Person Upon First Meeting:

10. How much white are you?

9. I'm part white myself, you know.

8. I learned all your people's ways in the Boy Scouts.

7. My great-great-grandmother was a full-blooded white-Canadian princess.

6. Funny, you don't look white.

5. Where's your powdered wig and knickers?

4. Do you live in a covered wagon?

3. What's the meaning behind the square dance?

2. What's your feeling about river-boat casinos? Do they really help your people, or are they just a short-term fix?

1. Oh wow! I really love your hair! Can I touch it?

Jeff R., via the web.