Heart of a Chief

We were to have read Heart of a Chief, by Joseph Bruchac for class last Wednesday. I had read the book and written my discussion paper on why Bruchac chose to underlay the more serious topic of Indian casino's under Chris's school project on changing the name of the schools mascot. Before I had read this book I was indifferent on whether or not mascot's should be changed. Coming from Ann Arbor, I heard about Eastern Michigan University changing their name to the Eagles when I was younger but didn't really think anything of it. There is this one quote in the book, from page 128 when they introduce the project as "what team are you rooting for in the Super Bowl?" " I'm for the New Jersey Negroes" and "I'm for the Jacksonville Jews." As soon as I read this quote, I decided that all schools should change their mascot's name. There is no way that we would be allowed to go around saying those types of things, so why are we allowed to call someone the Chiefs, when that degrades what American Indian people to be their leader and someone they look up to. I might just think something like this because I'll admit I'm a liberal, but seriously think of what you are saying to a race that we as a nation has oppressed for the past five hundred years, that we don't care about the way that they live their lives or their beliefs? I would hope at this day and age that it wouldn't be the case. However we watched a movie in class entitled In Whose Honor (I think) and all we saw was ignorant people who believe that the tradition at their school is more important than upholding someones beliefs and religions. They believe at Illinois that they are honoring the American Indian people, but if they would just listen to the people who were saying anything at all, they would realize that they aren't. I think that it's absolutely ludicrous. I commend Iowa for not booking any school (besides Illinois since they have to play inside the conference) that has an Indian mascot. I may sound radical for saying all of this, but think of the people you are affecting, and the children you are affecting. Let's make it so the next generation ration of children grow up in a society that is less prejudiced than its predecessors.