1994 UI has decision to make on Mascots

1994 April 2, Iowa City Press Citizen 

1994 April 2, Iowa City Press Citizen 

Don Hogan (managing editor) 

      I seem to have an ability to evoke debate of sensitive subjects. In that vein, I would like to ask readers their feelings about school mascots.
      The Press-Citizen reported Friday that American Indian representatives and some members of the University of Iowa Board of Control of Athletics are discussing school policy regarding school mascots that in some way might offend American Indians. The American Indian delegation wants UI to state that it will not schedule any sports teams that use American Indian symbols.
      Of course, the first team that comes to mind is the University of Illinois, a Big Ten opponent whose athletes rally behind Chief Illiniwek, namesake of the Fighting Illini. [no plans to change mascot since the board of trustees kept to keep it in 19990…. ]
      The American Indian delegation, however, asked UI to avoid scheduling non-conference teams who, in some fashion, call on American Indian history to inspire athletes. “We have to stop accepted organized racism against a group of people,” said Judy Morrison, a representative of the UI American Indian Student Association and the UI American Indian Science and Engineering Society.
         That is where I ask for reader’s wisdom. I think that to be racist, one must harbor hateful, spiteful intentions when discussing another race. Mascots represent tradition, and tradition is of value in some form of societies. Mascots represent leadership, and leadership is a valued trait in all societies. Until someone paints a mascot evil, it will stand for pride and perseverance.
      If Michael Jordan were to be adopted as the official symbol of the National Basketball Association, most Americans would view his likeness as a positive step toward recognizing the accomplishments of African Americans. Should Chief Illiniwek and his ancestors feel any less pride and sense of accomplishment for being selected as the Indian nation with the desired traits to rally thousands of supporters?
      The picture that accompanies this column makes it evident that I am a white male. This fact does not disqualify me from having an opinion on school mascots, but it could be argued that it is impossible for me to possess the inner knowledge required to understand the hurt others feel when part of their history is reduced to a mascot.
      From my white male perspective, Chief Illiniwek represents a noble, proud person who is strong and quite capable of out maneuvering opponents. All of those characteristics are good things in my eyes – qualities others would do well to acquire.
      Perhaps I could make a more persuasive argument about the silliness of taking school mascots so seriously by discussing the leprechaun who leads the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. I am qualified to discuss my feelings about the Fighting Irish because I am Irish.
      It never once occurred to me that the feisty little fellow with his (and it is a him) fists clenched in a threatening manner had anything to do with me personally. Not all Irishmen are boxers. Not all Irishmen wear silly green suits and smoke pipes. Not all Irish people go to Notre Dame.
      My assessment is that the Notre Dame mascot has nothing to do with me, so I do not choose to take on a burden of confrontation with the school on behalf of all other Irish people – some of whom would tell me to hush up. Who named me the spokesman for all people of Irish lineage?
     The issue of school mascots is a serious one. Other communities are going through the process of defending or discarding tradition. What should the University of Iowa do? Until an animal rights group makes an issue of Herky, a tiger hawk, the UI mascot seems to be safe. But how should university officials handle the debate over scheduling teams that use American Indian symbols for mascots? ….

1994 April 2, Iowa City Press Citizen