RO, Fri. Nov. 14

(Opinion: strongly anti-Chief)

I attended a football game on Thanksgiving Day several years ago. I sat quietly while Chief Illiniwek pranced. I noticed that many people cheered him on, but I also heard many "Boo"s". How can anyone take pleasure in demeaning someone else? How can anyone with a conscience profit from selling all the merchandise with the chief logo?

While watching the well-choreographed pep band, I saw the percussionists leaping as they beat their drums. Wind and brass musicians who were not actually playing music at the time used their instruments to tomahawk-chop the air. Some spectators followed their lead and tomahawk-chopped. This was no display of honor, and it never was intended to be. Why should this disrepect be allowed to continue? It has already gone on far too long. Retire the chief. It is disingenuous to claim that any honor is involved.

R.Ostrodka, via the web.