The Buck Stops Here

by Hawkwatcher

The buck stops here. And so does the squaw, the redskin and the brave. These dehumanizing names were directed against Native Americans as part of a methodical process of extermination. Their use raises bitter feelings about our own "holocaust" in the not very distant past. "Redskins" refers to the bloody scalps of Native American men, women and children taken for bounty. It is easier to oppress and kill people not recognized in human terms.

Even words like chief, tribe, warrior, and medicine man are white man's terms and do not reflect the richly varied concepts of the many indigenous cultures. We're sort of stuck with them when conversing in English, but the insult is inherent and reaction to it will be according to intent and usage. So smile when you say that pardner!

Too many of us do not realize the depth of feeling invoked in Native Americans by the hurtful use of words. Lets give it some perspective we can all appreciate. Let's group these words where they belong with others like greaser, chink, blanketass, frog, dago, femminazi, bohunk,navvy, polack, spic, slope, limey, abo, nigger, fairy, kike, kraut, broad, and mick.

Anyone not offended by one or more of these terms will still not understand why Native Americans resent the use of words which are degrading, objectifying, and racist. But the rest of us may be beginning to get the idea. For all these are directed at people, in enmity, by some supremacist group bent on oppression ,enslavement, or genocide When you hear your word, the one that makes your blood boil , then you know exactly how a Native American feels when he hears his.

Equally offensive is the commercial use of these as well as legitimate national names. These are accompanied by demeaning logos and mascots. Native Americans are constantly faced with advertising like Red Man Tobacco, Osage Liquor Store, Pontiac, and Jeep Cherokee. Would you buy a Jeep Chinaman? How about a Chrysler Lithuanian?

Sounds silly and maybe even funny when you say it. But it wouldn’t be funny to Chinese or Lithuanians.

Some of our biggest offenders are professional and amateur sports teams. Seminoles, Braves, Chiefs, Blackhawks, Redskins, Warriors, tomahawk chops, silly dancing mascots, cute little logos, and enough "Indian" athletes to do Custer all over again.

If these caricature logos of Native Americans were replaced with blacks or Orientals, we would know it was wrong and put a stop to it. If a tub of water were placed on the field at half-time, and someone with his collar on backwards did a bad imitation of baptism ceremony, the offense would not be tolerated for a minute. This is not different from a display of a mockery of Native American costume and sacred religious dance ceremony.

Try to understand this. It ticks Native Americans off! It hurts! It shames! It burns! It makes deep anguished gut-wrenching anger! To name a sport team "Indians" is just as much a slap in the face as to call them "Niggers".. Any who continue these insults can expect righteously upset Native Americans right in their faces.

And the buck is stopping. The Los Angeles public school system, largest in the country, has banned such practice. Others will follow. Don't fight it, get on the wagon train. Try to be first, because the last hold-out is going to look really awful.

Insensitivity to the intensity of feelings of Native Americans recently brought about a serious conflict in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Community radio volunteer Creel Morgan, a Cherokee, has for eight years produced and hosted "Around the Council Fire" on KABF--The Voice of the People. His popular program included Native American music, lore, news, and Morgan's sometimes volatile opinion.

When KABF scheduled an ASU Indians ball game next to his time slot, Morgan declared the use of that name and logo and mascot racist. He criticized the State of Arkansas and its university for allowing the practice and KABF for supporting it. He also suggested that anyone equally offended might turn off their radio for the duration of the game.

It has been alleged that for this Morgan was fired and Around the Council Fire canceled. A week later his also Cherokee co-host Donna McElreath hosted the final broadcast of the program. By telephone interview she allowed Morgan to explain the Native American side of the issue. Within minutes McElreath was allegedly forced out of the studio by an irate and ranting member of the station's Board of Directors.

If this is true, KABF's management was surely ignorant of the seriousness of their offense to Native Americans. But Around the Council Fire will be sorely missed by the inter-tribal community which is sure to react.

But it isn't just KABF and Arkansas who are propagating the insult. Every offending business or athletic organization should immediately and gracefully find a new nickname. Every government agency and board of education having jurisdiction over such groups, their advertising, or the airing of their activities, should insist upon it. Every broadcaster and publisher should cease repeating the offensive words and refuse advertising from those who do so. And every citizen respectful of others' feelings should demand change.

As an all volunteer community station, KABF has a proud history of providing minorities the opportunity to air their views and problems. These broadcasts promote sharing of ideas and ethnic diversity thereby generating respect and political correctness. All eyes turn again toward Little Rock. Perhaps, upon reflection, the management of KABF will decide to lead this wagon train of progressive understanding. Those who don't circle up will find a hard trail into the twenty-first century.

And we all know that stragglers behind the train are likely to have trouble with Indians.

Hawkwatcher