2.18.07

(Authentic) Victory Dance

In honor of my alma mater’s discontinuation of its stereotyped Native American mascot, allow me to present a recreation of one of the more memorable protest signs I saw on the issue:

The reference here, of course, is to stadium cushions. Some moron had the bright idea to place “Chief Illiniwek,” the “honored symbol” of the University of Illinois, on these butt warmers, as well as on toilet paper, beer steins, and a variety of other paraphernalia decidedly inappropriate for a religious figure.

Those representations disappeared years ago, as the anti-”Chief” movement gained momentum, as did claims of the halftime dance’s authenticity, and the argument that any Native American organization or community in the country was not actively opposed to the use of Indian mascots. Additionally, I saw the campus climate change dramatically from the time I arrived at the University in 1996 to 2005, when I left town. I remember speaking out against the “Chief” in my freshman sociology class and worrying that my classmates would start throwing stuff at me; nine years later, seeing an anti-”chief” t-shirt was relatively commonplace.

Well, the inevitable has happened. After (and as a direct result of) eighteen years of community organizing, “Chief Illiniwek” is no more. Good riddance – but I’m going to miss those protest signs.

Comments (1)

1 Response So Far

1. 1

   ruxandra said,

   February 18, 2007 @ 7:49 am

   hey, i just saw and posted about this, too! i know, i’m totally dancing and celebrating (it’s the first time in over 10 years of straightedgism that i’m almost tempted to have a celebratory drink)!!!

   hehe, can i steal your recreation of the “warm your butt” sign? you know i MADE that sign, right?! :D the concept belonged mostly to my then-housemate robin, but i helped to come up with the statement itself, and i drew it! i love that sign, i wonder if the prc still has it!

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