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Sports: Students plan return of offensive 'Illiniwek'
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Filed Under: Education | Sports

"We all remember the controversy. For some Illinois fans, the Chief was a symbol of community and tradition and togetherness. For others, it was a sad reminder of an ugly time when minstrel dances were acceptable, when whites robbed Native Americans of their land and adopted the traditions of the quiet, introspective savage as their own. It was about as unwavering and two-sided as any mascot controversy could ever be, one of those arguments -- like abortion, or tax policy -- that some people will just never, ever agree on.

We thought it was over. We were wrong.

Illinois campus organization Students For Chief Illiniwek are bringing back the dance one last time, according to a press release. The one-time event will, according to the group "feature presentations on the Illiniwek tradition along with a performance by student Logan Ponce, the 37th portrayer of the Illiniwek tradition." And you thought the Illiniwek tradition had been retired.

We've long been one of those types that finds Illinwek offensive. Sorry, but it's true. It's sort of mind-boggling, actually, how many people can seem to find something so apparently insensitive -- a white college kid dancing around in traditional Indian garb -- to be such a sacred cow."

Get the Story:
Eamon Brennan: Chief Illinwek Hasn't Danced His Last Dance (NBC Chicago 11/4)

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