[Originally posted: Thursday, 18 August, 2005]
University of North Dakota President Charles Kupchella has released a well written, thoughtful and pointed letter to the NCAA concerning their new policy banning the display of American Indian names and mascots at NCAA sanctioned championship events.
President Kupchella's clear and reasoned arguments, delivered with no hint of incivility, are substantial and cogent. Compare his halcyon and erudite tone to the virulent fury of Florida State University President Wetherell and political pandering of Governor Jeb Bush. The content and tone of President Kupchella's letter is what one expects from a university president.
Hugh Hewitt's excellent blog also has the transcript of an interview with President Kupchella as well as his email address to share your thoughts. While the full text of the letter and a link to an audio stream of the press conference can be found on the UND site, the following are highlights of his letter...
The quiet serenity of our beautiful campus was disturbed early August 5 by news reports that the NCAA had decided to address the Indian nickname issue. ...the words mascot, nickname, and logo were used interchangeably, and the loaded words “abusive” and “hostile” were invoked without definition and without any real clear idea as to how they were being applied. We don’t have a mascot, and our logo was designed by a very well-respected American Indian artist. We couldn’t imagine that these reports would apply to us...
...I do not wish to take up the issue, here, of any absolute or general “correctness” of using American Indian imagery. Those on both sides of the issue have long ago made up their minds, and no amount of talking over many years seems to have moved anyone from one side of the issue to the other. Suffice it to say, some choose to be insulted by the use of these terms; others are befuddled by this reaction to what they consider to be an honor...
Is it the use of the names of tribes that you find hostile and abusive?...
...Is it only when some well-meaning people object to the use of the names of tribes? If so, what standard did you use to decide where the line from acceptable to “hostile” and “abusive” is crossed? We note that you exempted a school with a certain percentage of American Indian students. We have more than 400 American Indian students here. Who decided that a certain percentage was okay, but our percentage was not? Where is the line between okay and hostile/abusive?...
Is it only about applying names to sports teams? If so, would this be extended to the use of the names of all people, or is it just American Indians? Why would you exempt the “Fighting Irish” from your consideration, for example? Or “Vikings,” which are really fighting Scandinavians, or “Warriors,” which I suppose could be described as fighting anybodies? Wouldn’t it be “discrimination on account of race” to have a policy that applies to Indians but not to Scandinavians or the Irish, or anybody else for that matter?...
Help me understand why you think “hostile and abusive” applies to us. We have more than 25 separate programs in support of American Indian students here receiving high-end university educations...
Do you really expect us to host a tournament in which these names and images are covered in some way that would imply that we are ashamed of them?...
...Let’s have the discussion – one that we should have had before this ruling was handed down, one that actually includes American Indians and puts this in the perspective of all that is important to them at this time in history...
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