2008 Woodie Awards
View print edition front page as a PDF
News
Formerly banned U. Ill. mascot returns for parade
By Ethan Klapper on 11/8/07
Images and clothing featuring Chief Illiniwek, the former athletic mascot of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, were allowed being displayed at the university's homecoming parade Oct. 26 after originally being banned by the university's homecoming committee, The New York Times reported.
The change in policy drew harsh criticism from Carrie Johnson, president of AU's Student Advocates for Native Communities and a junior in the School of Public Affairs.
"Native mascots are disparaging to native peoples, and while I commend the University of Illinois for retiring the chief [in athletic events], I am upset with the fact that they are going to be continuing to allow his memorabilia to be used in homecoming festivities," she said. "The use of Indian mascots has a long and negative history. The use of native peoples as sports mascots does not honor Native Americans and instead is disrespectful, and I believe the university should respect the sentiments of Native Americans who have protested the use of Chief Illiniwek."
Chief Illiniwek, a mascot deeply rooted in the tradition of the university, went into a forced retirement following the suggestion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Any college or university with an American Indian mascot is subject to the NCAA's Native American mascot policy, which bans the university from hosting championship games, according to the NCAA Web site.
A policy for the parade was enacted in August to uphold the chief's retirement. The policy banned any image or clothing that had the chief's likeness, according to The Daily Illini, the University of Illinois student newspaper.
The ban was largely opposed on the campus, with some members of the campus community even alleging the policy was an infringement of First Amendment rights. Under pressure, university Chancellor Robert Herman decided to lift the ban a day before the parade.
"As administrators planned this year's homecoming parade, they created a policy that they interpreted was in keeping with the retirement directive," according to a statement released by the chancellor's office. "In reviewing that policy, Chancellor Richard Herman has determined that the interpretation was overly broad. The university values free speech and free expression and considers homecoming floats, decorations, costumes and related signage all representations of such personal expression."
The change in policy drew harsh criticism from Carrie Johnson, president of AU's Student Advocates for Native Communities and a junior in the School of Public Affairs.
"Native mascots are disparaging to native peoples, and while I commend the University of Illinois for retiring the chief [in athletic events], I am upset with the fact that they are going to be continuing to allow his memorabilia to be used in homecoming festivities," she said. "The use of Indian mascots has a long and negative history. The use of native peoples as sports mascots does not honor Native Americans and instead is disrespectful, and I believe the university should respect the sentiments of Native Americans who have protested the use of Chief Illiniwek."
Chief Illiniwek, a mascot deeply rooted in the tradition of the university, went into a forced retirement following the suggestion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Any college or university with an American Indian mascot is subject to the NCAA's Native American mascot policy, which bans the university from hosting championship games, according to the NCAA Web site.
A policy for the parade was enacted in August to uphold the chief's retirement. The policy banned any image or clothing that had the chief's likeness, according to The Daily Illini, the University of Illinois student newspaper.
The ban was largely opposed on the campus, with some members of the campus community even alleging the policy was an infringement of First Amendment rights. Under pressure, university Chancellor Robert Herman decided to lift the ban a day before the parade.
"As administrators planned this year's homecoming parade, they created a policy that they interpreted was in keeping with the retirement directive," according to a statement released by the chancellor's office. "In reviewing that policy, Chancellor Richard Herman has determined that the interpretation was overly broad. The university values free speech and free expression and considers homecoming floats, decorations, costumes and related signage all representations of such personal expression."
Be the first to comment on this story