Posted by [EMAIL PROTECTED] : From: "Robert Eurich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From the Monday November 29, 1999 Grand Forks Herald http://www.northscape.com/news/docs00/1129/275CEA1.htm <clipped excerpt> Let's grow up, change the Sioux nickname and move on <clipped> Most students and graduates feel pride when they hear the words Fighting Sioux. Many are quite vocal about it. And some give the university lots of money. Some are so proud they'll fight on and on to keep that name, and some say they're battling out of pride. They've told me so. Never quit fighting for their pride. Listen to that, will you? Never quit fighting. For pride. I had that pride. My high school was the Grand Forks Central Redskins. Our athletes won a lot. We were very aggressive, especially in hockey. I was mad when they changed the nickname all those years ago. Pride, again. That pride is instilled in students, but not imposed on them. People court it because we think we need it. We believe that the people pride makes us are good people to be. No. Pride makes us bullheaded. Pride blinds us to atrocity. Pride is a fortress we build to shed contrary views. Pride is the greatest impediment to understanding and peace. We're wrongheaded anyway to revere warrior nicknames. Aggression and violence are necessary sometimes, but not to be celebrated. And when our thirst for conflict takes the team name Redskins or Sioux, it is based on our own misconceptions about cultures we never understood and shouldn't be arrogant enough to think we know today. The fact that some reasonable cultures are offended by the use of the Sioux nickname and want it changed should be enough to guide the actions of any thoughtful person -- and any university. University leaders, live up to the values you say you hold so highly. Shine the light of education and understanding into your own dark corners. Change the nickname and move on. Foss is a Herald staff writer. Phone him at (701) 780-1267 or (800) 477-6572, ext. 267. E-mail him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] <end excerpt> American Indian Sports Team Mascots http://earnestman.tripod.com/ "Little drops of rain wear away the greatest of stones."
