1992 - Chief Tommy Hawk "If you are absolutely committed to maligning minority Americans, could you at least be equal-opportunity about it and give us some variety?"

September 23, 2018

Chief Tommy Hawk, who appears daily in this paper, is a ridiculous caricature of the Indian. Do any of us actually believe that the stereotypical headband, braid and prominent nose honor a race of people? Take a good look at him some day. - 1986 Sep 11, Indiana Gazette

Chief not consistent with series -- 1992 Sep 23, Indiana Gazette

For decades now, in order to look at the weather forecast in the Hazette, it has been necessary to look at a truly insulting and offensive caricature of a native American labeled “Chief Tommy Hawk.”

If you are absolutely committed to maligning minority Americans, could you at least be equal-opportunity about it and give us some variety?

How about for next month a cartoon of a little black kid eating a piece of watermelon and captioned “Little Black Sambo?”

Or a buck-toothed little kid with slanty eyes called “Jappy Wappy?”

How is this presentation of minority people as ridiculous stereotypes consistent with your five-day series on the front pages of last week’s editions of the Roman Catholic community in the country, whom you lauded for working to promote human dignity and love of one’s fellow humans? ~~ Raymond Thomas, Indiana