Incendiary rhetoric more of the same

Have the anti-Chief Illiniwek activists ever noticed how many people wearing Chief Illiniwek apparel around campus and to University of Illinois sporting events are of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, and other non-European descent?

Are they offended by the Chief? Would they agree they're promoting racial stereotypes by wearing Chief logo clothing? It seems not.

I saw many non-whites at The Next Dance last month. The only hostile and abusive environment they experienced that evening was the protestors screaming "R-a-c-i-s-t!" at them.

I appreciated Glen Barnhill's talk during The Next Dance, informing us of his ambition for the Grand Village. Who would you think is the more credible source of information or opinion – someone presenting his plans for a cultural center to represent his people's heritage or someone getting all up in your ear shouting "Shame on you!"?

Recently, I've read postings and Web logs criticizing Barnhill for appearing at The Next Dance, and characterizing him as a "hobbiest Indian." This suggests that the anti-Chief activists are less interested in promoting communication and understanding within the university community and more interested in promoting their own rhetoric and extreme, no-compromise dogma.

TOM NAPIER

Champaign