If the university wants to keep some sort of connection with the Illini, a scholar could surely find out which animal was most significant to the Illini as a mascot or as a giver of food. Use the history of the Illini to select another mascot. It seems OK if an Indian tribe puts on an Indian show for the tourists at the reservation, outdoors show or anywhere else for that matter. But if a white guy puts on an Indian show for the football crowd, he's racist. We need to loosen up a little bit.
Show biz is show biz.
Westmont A good quarter of the student body is composed of well practiced complainers. I am not saying that it is bad to complain, only that it is naive to say or believe that once the chief issue dies that energy will be focused on things that enhance my school's reputation. Of all of the injustices in this world, Illiniwek ranks rather low. Kan. The time has come to say enough. Enough is enough.