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Date Posted: 09:49:15 04/09/01 Mon
Author: Adv Reporter
Subject: Who is Offended????

Who is Offended! Should we be Offended?

As we speak, all across this country, people are up in arms about controversy
over what is offensive. We as American Indians find that people who imitate
our religion, our ceremonies and even act out these hidden desires to be
American Indians rather odd. At least I do. Why anyone would want to be an
American Indian is beyond me. I just don't understand why anyone would want
to be me. People never liked Indian way back when and to a certain extent,
they still don't today.
Racism is an evil thing, and when people use this racist mean of expression,
it make the people that their actions are directed at-a lesser human being.
It is subtle and sometimes it is harsh, it can be entertaining and it can be
embarrassing. We all get the jest about dumb blond jokes or the wonderful
antic of the Polish people, but what is it! Is this a simple innocent
gesture at the expense of dumb blondes and other ethnic people? I often
wonder how we can express our dissatisfaction in the way that American Indian
people are portrayed. On one hand, we are looked upon as fierce Warriors,
unwilling to give up to save our land and our people, and we fought fire with
fire. This is a very honorable thing-to give your life to defend your
people. American soldiers did this at the every conflict from the
revolutionary war to Kuwait. This were very heroic actions by the soldiers,
yet when the American Indians fought for and to save their families, women
and children-it was also called savagery, and the battle cry to kill the
savages emerges. At the end of the day, the murders receive kudos and some
were even given medals for their bloody deeds.
Today, people want to be Indians; they want to play Indians. From early
toddler's age, they are taught to sit Indian style and sing the "Ten Little
Indians" song, and watch Hollywood stereotype movies. Then children are
enrolled in boys and girls scout to re-enforce their toddler days by taking
on Indian names, build tee pee villages and sing and dance to Hollywood drum
beats. And as they enter the world of adult life, a new role takes effect.
The Indian name they received in a vision quest or sweat in the scouts kicks
in and they take on the role of becoming an Indian. To them, it is has become
most honorable to want to be an American Indian, after all, they had the
proper training.
I find that being honored can truly be simple. If you want to honor me ask me
how to best do this. This is what is wrong with the Mascot issues of today.
The businesses, the schools of learning (K to K12), universities and sports
teams wants to do their best to honor us. They paint pictures of us, invade
our Reservations and indulge in our special ceremonies, changing the meaning
of our languages and subsequently changing the meaning of our Indian Religion
so people of Christian beliefs can truly understand us. But do they? They
make cartoon picture of us, they put us on the sports field and show us how
we American Indians act and dress. They make us look stupid and even the Air
Force honors American Indians by having an official Indian Chief as a mascot.
Is this the honor we want? I say fight fire with fire! I find no reason
for anyone to not honor American Indians, but I do find it offensive to see
non-Indians making a decision on how we can best be honored. It appears to
me that the only way to honor Indian people is to make them mascots. How
else can the true history be told, how else can the true character, the
fighting spirit and warrior's competitiveness be expressed? This is the ill
images that appears in the minds of young children and now grown to be truth
and gospel in the hearts of the General American Society. I personally think
it is time to fight fire with fire! Christian minded people are offended
today by the "The Brooklyn Museum of Art" in it's display of dung-decorated
portrait of the Virgin Mary/ Painting showing naked ladies in the "Last
Supper". These are offensive and have been on the airwaves because it steps
on something sacred.
This is offensive to Christians because these artworks are offensive. We
know that and the Churches know that. We understand why it is offensive and
it should be done away with. No one gets offended when people spit on our
sacred place, but dare spit on the steps of any other place of worship and
you're in trouble. The Holy Cross mascot is no different. The Holy Cross
School should take a look at themselves and fix a problem on their own pews.
I say, send them the pictures, sent them flyers and tell them at the same
time.that someone is just simply expressing a view and it really doesn't hurt
anyone. "We want the pope to do the wine thing", "We want the Pope praying
to the USAF CMSgt Stripes", "I want to see the nudies doing a dance to the
CMSgt Stripes and I want to see a Priest rides in the Florida State ball
field bashing the opponents." I want to see the Jewish at the wailing wall
praying the CMSgts Stripes.
Honor-What is Honor!

Sometimes, we sit back and say, "We cannot stoop to their level, we have to
show them that we are above it all and that we have class." We do have class
and we are an honorable people. Nothing has changed for Indian people and we
are still where we were in the last Century. So where has this way of
thinking led us too? That we have No respect unless someone makes us a
Mascot and only then we are truly HONORED. As the Special Ceremonies are
being prepared when the Air Forces' NEW CMSgts get ready to become Indians
this month, I would like to suggest that anyone who ever felt that it is
wrong to be a mascot to send a letter to the nearest Air Force Base EEO
office or address it to the Base Commander. Tell that Commander and the Wg
Senior Enlisted Advisor to stop using American Indians and their Veterans as
mascots. Only now is this USAF CMSgt Mascot issues is being looked at
seriously. Now is the time to act and get one more mascot off the list. We
may not change their minds, but we certainly can change the images.
The only honor I want is not to be honored. I am already honored. This is
the only honor that we want as American Indians.

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Replies:

[> Re: Who is Offended???? -- Sybil, 16:00:31 08/22/08 Fri

Who is Offended! Should we be Offended? I ran into this article while i was surfng the web. I know it has been 7 years since this was published, but does anyone know the outcome of this? Did enough Natives come and stand together to prevent this? Anyone know the outcome?


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