Warning: Major Rant Ahead
I am so freakin' pissed I can't even see straight! This article brings me to the conclusion that Political Correctness has gone too far. That, and the NCAA FUCKING SUCKS.And no, that isn't too harsh!
The gist? Well, the NCAA feels that certain mascots by college teams that are derived from Indians are "hostile or abusive." So, these schools will be unable to participate in NCAA tournaments unless they change uniforms and other clothing, effective February 1st.
The NCAA has fingered Florida State's Seminoles and Illinois' Illini as among the offensive and racist. However, North Carolina - Pembroke's Braves are okay with the NCAA because, get this, 20% of the student body is American Indian.
This is dishonest! Do you know who has a problem with the Seminoles and the Illini? I can tell you who it is! I am an Illini. SpySistah is an Illini. The only people who have problems with the Illini are the same people who have problems with everything else. They are the ones who have problems with the term "semester" as it lends too much credence to the male. They are the ones who find offensive the mere existence of sororities as negative reinforcement of prevailing images of women. They are the same loonies who take offense, forgive me, at every damn thing.
You don't say hello to them (perfect strangers) on the Quad - "Die Racist Pig!"
You don't want to go out with him or her - "Die Racist Pig!"
etc, etc.
At the University of Illinois, The Chief is revered. The portrayal of Chief Illiniwek at the beginning of each game is an honored event treated with quiet respect by the student body and the Alumni. You have to go to a special training session in order to portray Chief Illiniwek. And then, of course, there is the small matter of the obvious.
If the Illini were not respected by the student body, wouldn't we vote to change the name ourselves? If we disrespected or found the symbol offensive, would we want to be identified with it? For example, how many teams are known as the "clumsy rapists" or "imperial Nazis" or "stupid motherfuckers"?
None that I'm aware of, certainly.
So, if we treat it with respect and care and admiration, what's the big freakin' deal?
What if I were Irish and took offense at the portrayal of the Leprechaun by Notre Dame? What if I am a bird lover and find the portrayal of the Iowa Hawk offensive? What if I was offended at the portrayal of the Boilermaker by Purdue, was an animal lover and took offense at Wisconsin putting a badger in a red sweater, or was a nut lover who objected to Ohio being "Buckeyes"?
Wouldn't you quite rightly tell me to get over myself and get glad in the same pants I got mad in?
Screw the NCAA. They suck.
