Politics' strange involvement in University of North Dakota knickname
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
United States
August 19, 2011 2:44pm CST
The Univ of North Dakota is finally going to change its mascot and knickname away from the Fighting Sioux. This is the epitome of assinine political correctness (I would think the Sioux might be proud to have their name still routed for and in some sort of spotlight. It's not like the stupid misnomer "indian" tag that many teams still have) and I wish it were not so, but I also have a problem with why it is news now.
About four years ago the NCAA tried to crackdown on "offensive" names (never mind the "Devil" teams, they went straight for the Native American mascots). the University was actually already considering a change when the North Dakota LEGISLATURE stepped in and passed a LAW requiring the University keep the Sioux name. They passed a law requiring an entity not do anything. Let that sink in.
Now they were "within their right" because it was a state school. The Governor's office probably could have just whispered in the University's ear to say no to the NCAA, but no, they had to pass a LAW.
Now the NCAA is threatening post season restrictions against the school if it does not comply by Monday. Suddenly the new administration and Legislature of the state are appalled by the law and are going to revoke it. Their going to pass another Law destroying the first law. Argh!
All this so the school can do what it was thinking of doing in the first place (right or wrong).
I think I need a nap. The vein in the side of my head is pounding.
Is the "Fighting Sioux" an offensive name? Especially if the Sioux in the state don't seem to mind. Isn't it promoting pride of the culture that used to occupy the state? Or is it more important to be PC and only use animals as mascots and knicknames? Who's the NCAA going after next?
Even beyond those questions, what is the government's role in this? Does Freedom Of Speech cover mascot and knickname choice? Even if it does, does any government have a right to interfere in a "club" decision (the NCAA is like a private club in most respects and doesn't say members CAN'T make their own choices just levies penalties against those that do).
Did anybody do the right thing in this case? Is there a right thing?
-The Fighting Rat (10 extra luck points if you can name a school with Rats as their knickname)
2 responses
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
19 Aug 11
There was s mall town high school that used a Native American in a full feathered headdress as their mascot. The community was torn by two groups who wanted the mascot changed. It was two different tribes and each one wanted their Chief as the mascot.
I also remember a large school being threatened by the State Governing agency over their name. They were the Warriors and were being forced to change their name because it could be offensive to Native Americans. The problem is that the mascot was a Knight Helmet.
Who selects a mascot and nickname that will degrade themselves? A nick name for a school is a source of pride and identity.
This is PC gone amok.