“As future leaders and as citizens of our campus community, and later as citizens of a nation and world, we must engage in a far deeper dialogue about how we are to agree to disagree,” the e-mail continued. “Vigorous debate is good and it is constitutionally protected — but debate should be based on ideas, not empty-headed slurs or vicious threats.”
Dr. Brenda Farnell, a professor in the university’s American Indian studies program, says the threatened student is Sioux and has been actively opposed to Chief Illiniwek. Farnell says the student has been the recipient of hate speech before.
Administrators at some schools keep an eye on their students’ online lives. But the University of Illinois doesn’t monitor the online postings of its 30,000-plus students, says spokeswoman Robin Kaler.
“Way too many students and way too many Web sites for that,” she says.
Universities considering disciplining students for online speech should ensure the language “rises to the level of being a threat in a legal sense,” or students might refrain from online discussion, suggests Ed Yohnka, director of communications for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.
The ACLU is not involved in the current situation at the university, he said.
Chief Illiniwek, portrayed by a student, has performed at Fightin’ Illini sports events since 1926.
Many American Indians say they are offended by the chief and other American Indian characters used by sports teams. Supporters defend the use of the mascot as a way of honoring American Indians.
The NCAA in 2005 decided that Chief Illiniwek and most other American Indian mascots are a “hostile and abusive” use of American Indian imagery. The university has since been barred from hosting postseason sports.
— Associated Press and Diverse staff reports
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
