A Knight in Dragonland

The University of Illinois and the city of Pekin both have long histories of controversy over the same thing – the mascot of their sports teams. I think this is an issue that needs further discussion, although I’m quite sure that what I say here is going to be incredibly unpopular. I’ll begin with the Illini mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

I’ve heard many people say that Chief Illiniwek brings pride and a sense of connection to Illinois’ native heritage. The problem is that people don’t realize the ignorance behind that statement.

The regalia used by Chief Illiniwek was made by Frank Fools Crow, an Oglala Sioux. The Oglala are a branch of the Great Sioux Nation (the Oceti Sakowin – the Seven Council Fires) of the western plains. The dance performed by the Chief at halftime was loosely based on Sioux fancy dancing. Here’s the problem – THE SIOUX NEVER LIVED IN ILLINOIS.

The Illini Confederacy was made up of Algonquin tribes – the Kaskaskia, the Cahokia, the Peoria, the Tamaroa, the Moingwena and the Michigamea. The languages and cultures of these tribes were far different from that of the Sioux. It’s like saying you’re proud of your school’s Chinese heritage … but the mascot is a Japanese samurai.

I’ve also frequently heard this decision decried as a liberal conspiracy and a victory for political correctness. Some have ignorantly claimed that the people of the First Nations really don’t mind Chief Illiniwek – it’s just a few white liberal troublemakers causing all the problems.

That again is ignorance. It doesn’t take much digging to find that both the Oglala Sioux, the nation of the man who made the Chief Illiniwek regalia, and the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, the closest living descendants of the Illini Confederacy, have officially requested that the University of Illinois cease and desist in its use of the Chief Illiniwek mascot. Only after years of protests by these tribes did the NCAA and eventually the University decide to do what’s right.

In regards to Pekin, some might think that the mascot controversy here is over. The Chinks were replaced by the Dragons in 1981 – a horribly late reversal, in my opinion. This town seems to have missed the civil rights movement by over a decade!

Unfortunately the issue is far from settled. The Chink still lingers. Even in my short time here in Pekin, I have heard the old mascot referred to in glowing, reverent terms on numerous occasions. Many a resident has proudly proclaimed themselves a “Pekin Chink.”

Frankly, that disgusts me. At least “Illini” isn’t a blatantly racist term like “Chink.” Don’t you think that this attitude – this pride in a racist past – might be a BIG part of our perception problem??? Outsiders, even close neighbors across the river, still think of this town as P-E-K-K-K-I-N. This “I’m a proud Pekin Chink” chest-thumping just makes it worse!

Be proud of your school. Be proud of your home. Don’t be proud of someone who dresses up in a suit and prances around at halftime … and never, ever take pride in racism.