For years it has been the University of Illinois mascot, then this week Niles West High School’s mascot. Sooner or later the ultimate absurdity regarding the so-called insulted Native Americans had to happen–I refer to the Oct. 18 letter from Mindy Zdanczewski regarding your annual “Injun Summer.” I remember as a young boy, my mother reading that same piece to me as I sat wide-eyed with the story told. I also remember reading the same story to my kids. Same reaction. No judgments made, just a fascinating tale.
Perhaps Ms. Zdanczewski’s problem with this whole scenario (as well those from U. of I. and Niles West) is that they seem to view life from a very negative perspective. Chief Illiniwek, the Niles West Indian and “Injun Summer” to me are inspiring symbols from our past and certainly mean no disrespect to anyone.
On the contrary. Perhaps the very same people that she is deriding have chosen to believe that our Native American brothers and sisters were and are a very proud and brave people, traits that many of us lack.
