Indian nicknames in the news

[Esoteric]

I believe UND should never adopt a new nickname. Clearly with no nickname Sioux fans have continued to use the nickname at games and in referring to the University of North Dakota. No nickname: the fans will continue to unofficially use "The Fighting Sioux".

[rochsioux]

The PC police at UND are in full force.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/und-sorority-trouble-pro-nickname-banner-during-indian-themed-time-out-week

Absolutely nothing wrong with that banner.

If Kelley thinks that is a problem then it is definitely time for him to take a hike. Lost the remaining 2% of respect for him.

How long till he decides that nobody will be allowed to go to any event wearing a Sioux logo ? Wow.

[CMSioux]

The think a call should be made to the local civil rights organization.Whether you agree with the message or not this is a freedom of speech issue.

[Redneksioux]

Who exactly was offended by this banner? Where are those that are offended? Or is it insensitive to ask this question?

Personally I'm offended by all this over-sensitivity.

[Oxbow6]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that banner.

If Kelley thinks that is a problem then it is definitely time for him to take a hike. Lost the remaining 2% of respect for him.

How long till he decides that nobody will be allowed to go to any event wearing a Sioux logo ? Wow.

He basically has slowly neutered the university from it's rich tradition from the time he stepped foot on campus. I'm sure those he has continually pandered to love to see the wussification of UND over that last few years.

[MafiaMan]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that banner.

If Kelley thinks that is a problem then it is definitely time for him to take a hike. Lost the remaining 2% of respect for him.

How long till he decides that nobody will be allowed to go to any event wearing a Sioux logo ? Wow.

The University of North Dakota...where we believe in free speech about as much as North Korea.

[darell1976]

The University of North Dakota...where we believe in free speech about as much as North Korea.

The day they tell me I can't wear my Sioux gear to a game is the day I become a Bison fan.

[iramurphy]

I love my Indians hats with Chief Wahoo. I find it funny how they want Indian sports teams changed but yet their sports teams on the Rez can have them. If their people aren't mascots what do you call the Mahnomen Indians?

State Football Champions!

[The Sicatoka]

That banner didn't use the banned word.

It didn't say WHO took the moniker. <cough> NCAA <cough>

So the issue is ...

Someone needs to clue that sorority onto THEFIRE.ORG website.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education loves to take on cases like this.

[iramurphy]

The PC police at UND are in full force.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/und-sorority-trouble-pro-nickname-banner-during-indian-themed-time-out-week

I believe this was a shot at the NCAA, not Native Americans. The NCAA took away the name, the Natives didn't. I can understand if someone fussed over the banner we could ask the Gamma Phi's to take it down. That should be the extent of it. Explain to them someone interpreted that as disrespectful and respectfully ask that it be taken down. No reason to punish anyone. If there is required diversity training then it should also include the Native Americans so they might understand why someone wanted the banner in the first place. I have attended diversity training workshops put on for our employees and some were put on by some of the most biased and racially prejudices people who had no interest in peaceful, respectful dialogue between people from different cultures or with different beliefs.

[Blackheart]

Christ, I hope everyone is ok after seeing that horrible banner Maybe Kelley was mad because they referenced Pride, which he has none of...FireKelley?

[CMSioux]

http://www.valleynewslive.com/story/25195906/claims-of-backlash-over-loss-of-fighting-sioux-nickname

Now some are claiming that UND is quietly cutting funding to some native american programs as a backlash to losing the name - uh the administration and liberal professors (the ones that dole out the money) are the groups on campus that supported the nickname change - now they are turning on them? As far as the person quoted Mr. Rainbow - what's the record for longest time being a student at UND this guy must be close to it - if someone else is paying I guess you can go as long asyou want. You'd think this group would try and have positive publicity during the week of their biggest annual event - but no there are some people who can always find something negative to focus on. The Wachipi receives public funding from several sources at UND but nothing about that.

The sign is totally within their rights - a little misworded as there hasn't been a "mascot" in years but I think this would be a great freedom of speech issue to test. They need to contact the ACLU.

[darell1976]

So when UND goes through the new logo process, these "offended" people hopefully will NOT be part of that group.

[Hayduke]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that banner.

If Kelley thinks that is a problem then it is definitely time for him to take a hike. Lost the remaining 2% of respect for him.

How long till he decides that nobody will be allowed to go to any event wearing a Sioux logo ? Wow.

Only problem I saw was that we never had a mascot, only a nickname. But, other than that, I think it's just fine.

[Oxbow6]

Once again I'm completely embarrassed by the "leadership" of my alma mater.

How can they be taken seriously when they continually walk around with their junk tucked up between their legs.

Again this "issue" is flat out a joke and could not gave been handled any worse.

[darell1976]

This guys name is BJ Rainbow? What, was Hugh Jardon and Heywood Jablome unavailable for comment?

And don't forget I.P. Freeley, and Officer Meoff, Jack

[UNDColorado]

I wanted to post on this yesterday when I saw this but figured I should cool down a bit first because this got me a bit fired up. This little situation is an attack on the 1st amendment. As some pointed out this was a shot at the ncaa if anything. These kind of situations where someone is offended by how they interpret the message is happening everywhere.

Sensitivity training? Really? As pointed out above those who teach cultural sensitivity training are often very radical and have no interest of an even playing field, but rather an agenda. If they were truly serious both sides would attend "sensitivity training" but that is improbable at best.

I am under 30 so I don't have as much life experience as many here but I have noticed over the last 5-10 years a huge increase in situations like this all over our country where one group doesn't like a position of another so they move to shut them down versus being tolerant and letting people believe what they may. In other words the PC agenda is taking over.

Political correctness is nothing more than tyranny in disguise. Wrap your mind around that.

[ibleedgreen]

The PC police at UND are in full force.

http://www.grandfork...d-time-out-week

When Gamma Phi had their "Cowboy and Indian" party. I would like to know how many Cowboy's were offended by it....Go Sioux!

[siouxfan512]

Well, I couldn't help myself. I wrote a letter to the University, including the President, Greek Life Coordinator, Dean of Students and Assc Dean of Student Activities. I would encourage others to do so as well, but keep it professional.

Beyond the nickname battle, this is just a sick way of appeasing anyway who complains, rather than looking at the situation in a reasonable manner and acknowledging there was nothing wrong here. UND needs to find a better balance of acceptable political correctness and excessive political activism.

Disappointed in the sorority's national chapter for immediately apologizing on these girl's behalf rather than looking at the banner and standing up for them. Sisterhood?

Very disappointed in UND right now. We'll see if I get a response from anyone, but I'm not expecting much.

[Oxbow6]

Well, I couldn't help myself. I wrote a letter to the University, including the President, Greek Life Coordinator, Dean of Students and Assc Dean of Student Activities. I would encourage others to do so as well, but keep it professional.

Beyond the nickname battle, this is just a sick way of appeasing anyway who complains, rather than looking at the situation in a reasonable manner and acknowledging there was nothing wrong here. UND needs to find a better balance of acceptable political correctness and excessive political activism.

Disappointed in the sorority's national chapter for immediately apologizing on these girl's behalf rather than looking at the banner and standing up for them. Sisterhood?

Very disappointed in UND right now. We'll see if I get a response from anyone, but I'm not expecting much.

When the nickname battle was in full swing I sent a letter as a supporter of the nickname to many of those involved at UND...the response I got from those within the university, especially those like Jeanotte and his liberal ilk, was that I was "insensitive" and there were some that actually contacted my employer asking that I be fired due to my opinion and stance. Not making this up...............

[siouxfan512]

For the president to say they recognize the right to free speech but expect respect is laughable. The only thing that was disrespectful in this entire situation was the University's handling of it.

[Matt]

I remember when colleges were places that encouraged and defended free speech.

There was nothing inherently offensive about any of the text of that banner per se.

Absolutely pathetic.

[siouxfan512]

When the nickname battle was in full swing I sent a letter as well to those involved...the response I got from those on within the university, especially those like Jeanotte and his liberal ilk, was that I was "insensitive" and there were some that actually contacted my employer asking that I be fired due to my opinion and stance. Not making this up...............

Wow, typical liberal extremist response. "You should be open to all ideas .... unless those ideas conflict with my ideas! Then you're a insensitive, horrible person!"

The crazy thing is that this really doesn't have much to do with the nickname. Other that they acknowledged we no longer have it. This entire thing has been blown out of proportion and constructed on someone oversensitve complaint.

[Matt]

For the president to say they recognize the right to free speech but expect respect is laughable. The only thing that was disrespectful in this entire situation was the University's handling of it.

Holy s**t, set aside speech which is commonly held as "offensive", "lewd", or "pornographic" for a moment, if speech that is deemed disrespectful by administrators is now the standard, that opens up a whole new world of censorship.

[siouxfan512]

Here is my letter to the University:

To whom it may concern,

I am a proud alumni of the University of North Dakota, and I am writing this letter to express my sincere disappointment in the University’s actions regarding Gamma Phi Beta, as well as President Kelley’s comments and handling of the situation.

To condemn these girls of being anything but supportive of their school and their hockey team is simply ludicrous. There are several problems with what is being regarded as a “lack of sensitivity”:

1. The banner had no reference to the former Fighting Sioux nickname. There was no “Sioux Pride”, “Sioux Forever” or “Let’s Go Sioux”; quite the opposite. The banner was acknowledging that the team is no longer the Fighting Sioux, is no longer wearing Fighting Sioux jerseys (like it, or not), but regardless of what they are named or what jerseys they are wearing, the fans are behind them and supporting them.

2. As for the timing of when this banner was hung, I assume President Kelley is aware there is a hockey game this week, and it is a big one. To entertain anyone’s complaint that this was done in an antagonistic fashion is ridiculous. I think it is safe to assume these girls were not sitting in their sorority house making a banner in support of the hockey team, while simultaneously scheming a way to intentionally disrupt “Time Out Week”. The University may state to the public that they are disappointed in Gamma Phi Beta, but I believe the general consensus of the public will be disappointment in the University and its handling of the situation. Dr. Kelley should have had enough common sense as President of the University to determine this had nothing to do with being disrespectful or uncivil. Had he acted with common sense, he could have deflated the situation in a much more appropriate manner.

3. The fact that this sorority’s national chapter felt compelled to issue an apology and provide sensitivity training for these girls is very sad in itself. Had this been due to the use of a derogatory term or image, this entire issue would be valid; but to inflate a simple statement in support of the hockey team to a controversial social-political issue demonstrates poor judgment and a lack of common sense by the University.

There will always people in this world who are compelled to find something to protest or criticize, but at what point do those complaints need to be addressed, and at what point can they simply be dismissed as excessive? The University of North Dakota has complied to the NCAA’s policy changes and removed the Fighting Sioux nickname and moniker from use; no further action should be necessary on their end to demonstrate where the University officially stands. To publicly condemn the simple and innocent actions of these students is nothing more than an overreaction for which the University should be ashamed. It is time for the University to improve their balance of acceptable political correctness and extreme political activism.