The Great Debate

In case you don't know, the NCAA is suing the University of North Dakota to change its nickname, the Fighting Sioux, for being offensive. Sure, we've heard this argument before with the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, and Atlanta Braves, but this is getting out of hand. I just so happened to turn on the tv in time to see this issue being debated on Outside the Lines. They were interviewing the Director of Athletics from UND as well as a Sioux activist from North Dakota. The Athletics Director didn't take a side on the argument. He just said he wanted the issue to be resolved. Apparently the Higher Board of Education told UND that they needed to retire the nickname and logo unless they received approval from both Sioux tribes in the state of North Dakota. Today was the deadline. One tribe voted to keep the nickname saying that it was honoring their people. The other tribe apparently couldn't come to a decision in the 6 1/2 months they were given and were given a 30 day extension to decide. Russell Means, who apparently is also an actor, was the Sioux activist on Outside the Lines. He stated that the nickname was racist and needed to go away. How in the hell is "Fighting Sioux" racist. Redskins? Now I can see that as racist. Southern Nazarene University changed their name from the Redskins to the Crimson Storm 10 years ago for that reason. But Fighting Sioux? That's basically just the tribe name, not racism. And why are we making such a big deal about UND and not Florida State University. FSU has been the Seminoles since 1947 and has been backed by the seminole tribes of both Florida and Oklahoma since 1978.

Obviously OTL was thinking the same thing I was. For their next segment, they brought on a representative for the Seminole tribe in Florida, as well as some contradictory liberal jackass that should spend more time worrying about his own life than other peoples'. The Seminole man mentioned that the seminole tribe loves working with Florida State and that the university does a great job on teaching students about the history of the Seminole tribe, he even teaches Seminole history classes on the campus. Mr. Liberal rebuttles by saying that the name is derogatory and that the Florida State fans do the "Tomahawk Chop" whenever FSU gets a first down and the Tomahawk wasn't even a weapon the Seminoles used. So, according to Mr. Liberal, the FSU staff is not doing a good job at teaching Seminole history. The Seminole man smiled and had a bit of a sparkle in his eye before he responded, and God bless him for saying this, that first of all, the Tomahawk Chop, as seen here, is the national symbol for a first down and that this is just another case of a white man thinking he knows what's best for a Native American Tribe. At this point, I stood up and applauded. And it only got better. Next thing the mediator asked Mr. Liberal what is the difference between the Fighting Sioux and the Fighting Irish? Mr. Liberal had to think about this for a moment before saying that Notre Dame has a lot of Irish students and a history of being run by Irish people. Nice answer Mr. Liberal, too bad it didn't help your case one bit. UND has a lot of programs in place to help Sioux students as well, so the right answer would've been, there is no difference. Who's the racist now?