People court it because we think we need it. We believe that the people pride makes us are good people to be. Pride makes us bullheaded. Pride blinds us to atrocity. Pride is a fortress we build to shed contrary views.
Pride is the greatest impediment to understanding and peace.
We're wrongheaded anyway to revere warrior nicknames. Aggression and violence are necessary sometimes, but not to be celebrated. And when our thirst for conflict takes the team name Redskins or Sioux, it is based on our own misconceptions about cultures we never understood and shouldn't be arrogant enough to think we know today. University leaders, live up to the values you say you hold so highly. Shine the light of education and understanding into your own dark corners.