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VIEWPOINT: Make more Indian warrior images
http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald/2001/12/02/editorial/YEAGLEY1202.htm
By David A. Yeagley

Make more Indian warrior images

OKLAHOMA CITY -- It's an "ethnic cleansing" to remove all Indian mascots and
monikers from American schools and universities. It's a "virtual" genocide.

Since January 2001, I've praised the great Indian warrior image. I've written
columns for the onlilne Front Page Magazine and elsewhere, appeared on radio
shows throughout the country and also on national television.

I see great value in the Indian warrior image. When I spoke for the Sioux Falls
(S.D.) City Club on Sept. 14, just after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, I said,
"This is not a time to remove Indian warrior images. Make more of them!"

I started with the Fighting Sioux at UND. I love that name, "Fighting Sioux." I
honor that generation of warriors who earned such a reputation.

As an Oklahoma Comanche, I feel that name honors all Indian people.

It's true, "Oklahoma" Indians have a different sociopsychological history from
northern Plains Indians. We're not as connected to Oklahoma land.

We were all "removed" from our homelands and stuffed here into one "Indian
Territory." We were stripped of our original environmental affinities.

But Indians of northern reservations still feel the power of their homeland, and
they are more sensitive to abuse. Racial conflict is more intense in the north.

There are problems when sports teams use Indian names and images. Some of these
problems are very real and very ugly.

Up north, Indian sports names occasion offensive phrases and gestures when
schools express rivalry. "Kill the Sioux," for example, just sounds too literal,
because it once was the cry of white invaders.

But worse is the juvenile vulgarity sometimes used by students competing against
teams with Indian names. The insults and obscenities hurled against the team
with the Indian name definitely degrade the Indian mascot.

Yet, that's the purpose of sports rivalry. It's all about intimidation.

That's why schools chose Indian warrior names in the first place. It was to
unnerve the opponent.

Sports competition, after all, is the civilized alternative to war. It's all for
fun, in good sportsmanship.

However, white Leftists such as those who dominate the Indian Studies program at
UND teach that Indian monikers inevitably lower the self-esteem of the Indian
person. A mascot is a thing, not a real person. Therefore, the Indian is
insulted by any image not expressing his full humanity.

But this is a diabolic façade.

It's the Left that wants Indians to have low self-esteem. The Left needs
"victims" to show their compassion, to disguise their political subversion of
America.

It's racism, and it's far more degrading than being called a "warrior."

Leftists, keep your compassion. Call me savage!

But that warrior image is precisely what the Left wants removed. Anti-American
socialists can't win if there are true American warriors around.

I'll take my chances with the Great White American Warrior, the very one who
defeated me. I'm strong enough to stand with him.

I reject the treacherous, anti-America white Leftist and his deceptive use of my
great warrior people for his selfish designs. I'll not have Indians used as
Leftist puppets accusing America or as arrows in the white man's conscience.

As an Indian, I'd rather accept defeat in pride than be "helped" by depraved
Leftist humiliation. I'd rather be a good sport about defeat than belly-ache
forever.

No, don't dare remove Indian warrior images. Make more.

Any real problem with school rivalry and Indian mascots must be corrected by
administrators. Authorities simply must outlaw abuse, effectively.

And schools must mandate true education about Indian people.

Today, America is threatened from within and without. We all need to recover the
true meaning and worth of the Indian warrior. This is an occasion, not for
puerile vulgarity, or Leftist deception, but deep spiritual renewal.

The Fighting Sioux says it all.

Yeagley teaches humanities at the College of Liberal Stud ies at the University
of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Comanche Tribe of Lawton, Okla.


? 2001 Grand Forks Herald. All rights reserved
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