The Chronicle: Colloquy: Responses

It is important to recognize that issues of retention are directly related to the mascot issue. If students are not welcomed by the imagery that they first encounter, chances that they will stay are slim. There should never be a people group trivialized. In particular, native students are scarce in general on college campuses yet work extremely hard to keep their efforts alive. Many institutions have benefited from students direct efforts, including retention projects and recruitment projects that are not funded by the university. By not removing negative and offensive imagery, it sends a clear message to native students that we are not welcome. I don't care how many programs you have for native students, if your institution is not supportive of removing an image that is offensive to it's native student population, then your efforts are in vain. It is emotionally distressful and discouraging to a native student community who, so clearly advocate higher education, yet seem to have no support in their efforts.

Many students of color must step into an automatic leadership role in order to carry the weight of being one of a few. We can all understand that college is hard enough without having to fight for your existence and yet be able to speak at any given time on the plight of Native America at large. Expected to have all the answers and critiqued when we don't. All that is asked is to continue to support retention and growth at our universities. Eliminating offensive imagery and stereotypes is the very least that is needed in order to support this growth of the university. It is sad to see that in the year 2001, we are not at that point.

: -- molly springer (tsalagi), grad student and pres. of the Native American Student Org. at USD (posted 3/8, 10:15 a.m., U.S. Eastern time)

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