And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 22:15:23 -0500 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [[EMAIL PROTECTED] ] Racism in Tennessee: Stereotypes and Mascots > >* From: Tusweca <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > >> Barbara MorningStar wrote: >On Sunday, January 3, the Knoxville News-Sentinel printed an >incredibly offensive, repulsive, full-page cartoon directed >towards the Fiesta bowl, which the Tennessee Vols eventually >won. The cartoon depicted a train with a caricature of a >Native person, representing the Florida Seminoles (who were >also playing in the Fiesta bowl). The train had hit the >Indian man, there was a caption that said "Don't worry, >Folks...He's not a full-blooded Indian...He's just a >Semi-Nole!" There is a sign at the bottom of the cartoon >that says "New and Improved Trail of Tears" and a quote that >says "Paleface speak with forked-tongue! This land is ours >as long as grass grows and river flows...oof!" > >In fury and outrage, I called and spoke with the editor the >following Monday, expressing my horror at the entire >cartoon, the Trail of Tears reference and the reference to >treaties that were broken causing the deaths of men, women >and children. I told him that racism was unacceptable and >that this was unforgiveable. He told me that many people >called terribly upset and that they would print a retraction >the following Sunday (today). He said they meant no offense >and were terribly sorry that they had been so insensitive. >He was humble, apologetic and contrite. Well, I bought the >paper today and there were SEVEN letters to the editor >expressing horror and offense at this cartoon. The only >response from the editor was a small box in bold, italic >letters that read: > >Some readers took offense at a News-Sentinel cartoon that >ran on the Jan. 3 cover of a special sections setting up the >Fiesta Bowl game between Tennessee and Florida State. Letter >writers thought we crossed the line between bedeviling an >opponent in a football game and stereotyping Native >Americans by poking fun at the Seminoles, FSU's nickname. >Particularly objectionable to the letter writers was a >reference to the Trail of Tears, the historic route used by >the federal government for removal of Native Americans from >their lands in the South. Certainly there was no intent to >belittle anyone. The cartoon was aimed at a worthy foe in >the spirit of athletic rivalry, as were previous cartoons >this past season featured in game-day editions. However, we >acknowledge the sensitivities involved, and we apologize if >we offended anyone - The Editor. > >I do NOT consider this an appropriate apology. I see no >evidence that there was any contrition or recognition of >their wrong-doing or their racist attitude -only concern >about offense. Below the letters to the editors, there is a >large box (larger than the apology!) that states in large >bold letters Letters from readers welcome. So it would be >grand if others would consider telling this newspaper that >we as a people have had ENOUGH of this. > >Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Historical wrote: > >Subject: A real Seminole >Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 18:28:48 -0800 >From: "Alan D. Emarthle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Organization: Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Historic Preservation >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Editor: > >My name is Alan D. Emarthle (HO-TUL-KE;Wind Before Storm). I am a proud >full-blooded Indigenous Native. My blood is 1/2 Seminole 1/4 Choctaw and >1/4 Chickasaw. (all federally recognized tribes) This does not make me a >Semi-nole, a word your paper used. >I am currently employed as the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma's Historic >Preservation Officer and also the the Chief of the Tallahassee Band, we >have 14 bands in the Seminole Nation. >My ancestors are Tokusee Emathla and Cotcha Emathla, they came on the >trail of tears and were forturnate enough to survive on this journey, >unlike so many others. >I have been made aware of the recent characterization of Seminole People >in your newspaper. I can understand this was intended to be directed at >Florida State University's football team and fans. However, it is a >reflection of the educational system in this country and inconsideration >of our society in it's portrayal of Native Peoples'. >It is unfortunate that the society of mainstream america does not >understand the struggles of Native Peoples', we are continually treated >as third world citizens in the land of our Grandfathers. In a land we >were at one time 100% of the population, now we are now barely 1% today, >but we are still here. >Along with 34 other tribes here in Oklahoma, there are five tribes that >were forcibly removed from states in the Southeast, including >Tennessee.(with the help of Andrew Jackson) >We are currently working together to have standing in the State of >Tennessee to protect our ancestral graves and their burial goods, which >are treated many time as spoils, by individuals and organizations. We >are working closely with the Tennessee Indian Affairs Commission to make >amendments in Tennessee Law. >If you would like to portray or write about the Seminoles, these would >be some interesting topics for your paper. >This would let people know we exist, there are 12,000 Seminoles in >Oklahoma, 3,000 in Florida and overall about 400,000 descendants of the >original inhabitants of the Southeast, including Tennessee.(you can >expect more letters). >It is unfortunate for the Knoxville News-Sentinel that you have touched >on a very heated issue in Indian Country, "Indians as mascots", many of >us believe that this demeans, dehumanizes and destroys our Native >Communities. Our communities are plaqued with social ills and >unemployment. (not eveyone runs a casino). The self-worth in our >communities are low and our people grow with the mentality, that they >are a defeated people, enforced by uneducation and the media. (John >Wayne always wins) >If you knew the history of the Seminole people you would understand what >it means to be a Seminole, our history speaks for itself. This a war >never won by the U.S., only through the abuse of flags of trunce were >many of our leaders ever captured. The stories are endless of the >treaties broken throughout much of our history, this is not a matter to >be taken lightly. >Even today, our treaties are being threatened, promises will be broken >again by Congress and our people will suffer more. >Why don't you write about those things, instead of displaying your >racist, uneducated attitude toward Seminole people and Indigenous >Natives. > >If you would like to learn more about the Seminole People you may >contact me at (405) 382-5194 or e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >A Sincere Proud Seminole > >Alan D. Emarthle > >These cartoons were full page spreads. The following urls are copies of >sections of it. The South Eastern Anti-Desecration League and the >Tennessee American Indian Movement have written letters, both to the >Sentinel and the Democrat, denouncing this horrible portrayal of >Indigenous Peoples and urge all to do the same. >Mike Sims TNAIM SEAL. > >Knoxville Sentinel Cartoon >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart1.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart2.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart3.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart4.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart12.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart11.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart13.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/cart14.JPG >From the Tallahasee Democrat >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/tcart2.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/tcart1.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/tcart3.JPG >> http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/racism/tcart4.JPG > <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
