As a staunch supporter of Chief Illiniwek, I am compelled to respond to your Oct. 2 editorial “Time to retire Chief Illiniwek.” Why is it that Native Americans seem to be the only ones who take issue with the nicknames and mascots of athletic teams? How come I never hear outrage from the Irish-American community over Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish? Why aren’t Christians upset with the New Orleans Saints or Anaheim Angels?
The reason, contrary to what opponents of Chief Illiniwek claim, is that this issue is not about racist or disrespectful mascots.
Instead, a small minority can’t stand it that popular culture, through athletic teams, embraces Native American symbols so dearly. I’m sorry, but just because a tiny fraction does not like a certain nickname or mascot is not a good enough reason to retire it. And, if the Chicago Tribune honestly believes that “Fighting Illini” and “Chief Illiniwek” are in the same category as “Redskins,” then I’ll be expecting an editorial calling for a new name for our state because “Illinois” apparently is politically incorrect.
