Chief Illiniwek "tradition" ends
Aw, man. The Chiefs gone? Maaaaan, I really respected that guy.
I learned a lot from him about respect and honor and tradition and, um, Native Americanness.
I mean, granted, he wasn't really a Native American. Part of the tradition is that it was always a white dude dressed up as a Native American who gets lots of props around these parts for playing the role. That's tradition!
And the dance he did wasn't actually an authentic Native American dance - it was just something dude made up, I guess. I mean, it was nice looking though! A bunch of kicks and stern looks and spins and stuff. I liked it and felt, like, real deep reverence and honor from it that others did too, but, well, I guess it was well known to be insulting to those who do real Native American fancy dancing. But whose tradition and honor is important here, huh?
All recognized Native American groups in the US made statements calling our Chief a distorted and maligning representation of their culture for years and years. But, still, I loved that guy! He helped me make friends and get closer to strangers who drank with me and shared stories about how they loved him too. It was a community. A tradition!
I mean, if I was Native American, I'd like the Chief. I can say that cause I'm not Native American, but I know what I like, and I know I like the Chief. So if I wasn't part of the group ripping this representation off for a good time, but a part of the group whose culture is being ripped off by others who don't care what I or my group thinks, I'm sure I'd totally still like it. And I'd still totally have a good time. Totally.
I mean, how ungrateful of the Native Americans to not let us respect them the way we want to. We're respecting tradition, and honor. What more do they want?
Man, I sure am gonna miss that guy.
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bye bye, Chief Illiniwek. It's about freakin time.
posted by aimee @ 4:27 PM
1 Comments:
A decidedly anti-racist coalition named Students Transforming Oppression and Privilege co-host this event, and, for some reason, the editorial board of our student paper just CAN'T STAND that the event is focusing on addressing Oppression and Privilege on the UIUC campus.
"WHAAAAAATTTT? The Fine Young Bakers of Campustown are having an event to discuss BAKING with the community and not something I'm interested in? That's crap! I don't even eat wheat! What a farce! What a sham! What a waste of time! I'm not going, and I recommend nobody else go too. Plus, they didn't personally hand deliver me a timetable of events, so it's bound to be worthless -- well, they did, but I guess I chose to not read it. I'm sure it's still bound to be worthless. They're not even spotlighting non-bakers and anti-bakers, so what sort of "discussion" do they really think they're gonna have anyway? And with all those reactionary bakers, I bet it will just be chaos. Worthless, shammy, wasteful, baking-centric chaos."
UIUC's student paper the Daily Illini's (DI's) discussion of the forum on Racism, Power, and Privilege was funny ( http://www.dailyillini.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_id=3ea54ca2-db67-4103-9947-01a7c2f6da61 )
What was not was not acknowledging that this group put immense effort into organizing this event. They have a right to call the theme, and to frame the discussion -- which they did very well. Don't take my word for it (or the DI editors'). Watch it for yourself: http://siteFwd.com/4PW
Other groups, OR THE ADMINISTRATION THEMSELVES, are most welcome to organize future broader or different themed forums and events.
Oh, and the DI is among those "other groups." Betcha they won't send out an APB to students telling them not attend YOUR forum related to racism or the chief or, as you write, "racial sensitivity." Good. It is impossible to overlook the fact that the situation on this campus is increasingly insensitive to racial issues. Bring the people together and have them talk. Do what you think will help "cure what truly ails the campus." We need all the help we can get here.
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