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Fighting Whities Mascot Causes Stir
Associated Press
| Saturday, March 16, 2002
| By NICK WADHAMS
Posted on 03/16/2002 4:07:20 AM PST by JohnHuang2
DENVER (AP) - The idea started among some University of Northern Colorado students as a satirical commentary on a local high school's American Indian mascot.
The students named their intramural basketball team, made up of American Indians, Hispanics and whites, ``The Fighting Whities.'' They printed up jerseys saying ``Every thang's going to be all white,'' with a caricature of a middle-aged white man.
``The Fighting Whities,'' however, have taken on a life of their own.
More than 1,600 e-mails have flooded into the university in Greeley, north of Denver. Some say it's about time that a white person is made a mascot for a sport team. Others complain the idea as perpetuating yet another racial stereotype.
``It's obvious some of the people are taking it the way it's not supposed to be taken,'' said team member Jeff VanIwarden.
Team members have gotten phone calls from around the country and invitations to appear on television. They were mentioned by Jay Leno on the Tonight Show on Tuesday. The American Indian Movement has weighed in supporting the name.
The team chose the name after it couldn't persuade nearby Eaton High School to abandon its nickname, the Fightin' Reds, and the American Indian caricature on the team logo. The students say the logo is offensive.
The school superintendent denies the logo is derogatory and called the group's criticism insulting.
Some e-mails said the mascot image should be even more derogatory than a middle-aged white man with a tie.
``Some people online were saying that the mascot should be ... a fat guy with buckteeth kissing his sister,'' said Tom Crebbs of Oakland, Calif., who heard about the idea and started his own Web site selling spin-off shirts, hats and mugs.
Others, like Michael Gonsalves of New York, disagreed: ``If you are fighting against a perceived injustice, is the proper recourse to go out and do the very same thing?''
With all the publicity, the team plans on printing new T-shirts. VanIwarden said they will have a message condemning racial stereotypes to dissuade people from making light of the shirt.
On the Net:
The University of Northern Colorado: http://www.unco.edu
The American Indian Movement: http://www.aimovement.org
TOPICS: News/Current Events
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To: JohnHuang2
I sent them an email saying in part "...It's about time someone got a sense of humor about this..." and signed it "Very White". Haven't gotten a response yet.
;-)
To: constitutiongirl
I've been called a Honky before in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I just laughed. Never been called that before. Been called lots of other things though. LOL
To: JohnHuang2
OK... Raise your hand if you're White and you think that "Fighting Whities" is hysterical.
83
posted on
03/16/2002 2:15:11 PM PST
by
Redcloak
To: John Jorsett
and it just stuns this guy that it's a hoot instead. That's the killer here. I just wish I'd run out and copywrited the name and would be "set up for life" now. I'm white and I'm gettin a real kick out of this. I guess that's because I don't think of myself as a 2nd rate citizen.
To: Harley - Mississippi
" The Vast White Wing Conspiracy"
Another dandy.
To: Leo the Lion
# 16: Them thar rednecks look a little darker than most-couldn't they find any real white guys to pose for the logo picture? They look a lot brighter than your average redneck is willing to confess to being, too-a matter of ethnic pride, dontcha know?
To: cake_crumb
#74: Personally I take offence when I am referred to as anything but Redneck- hillbilly is palatable but those politically correct monicas irritate the h&ll out of me.
To: The Federal Farmer
#22: Before we start making wise cracks, you've got to tell us-is that a portrait of yourself? The answer will determine whether we are disgustingly offensive or instead resort to mere good natured kidding.
To: SpookBrat
Somebody watched too much 'Sanford and Son' or 'The Jeffersons'.
To: F.J. Mitchell
Seems like we are working a dead thread, so I will just say this and move on-We whites are at least bright enough to know that there are few winning teams without several talented African Americans in the line up. Maybe these guys need to rearrange their team racially and ethcically and then re-name the team: "The blackies, whities and all in between. Their mascot can be an embarrrassed zebra with jaundice.
To: constitutiongirl
I loved those shows when I was a kid. LOL "The Jeffersons" comes on Nick at Nite sometimes. Now I'm going to have that song from "Sanford and Son" in my head all night. Thanks a lot! LOL
To: JohnHuang2
Fighting Whities---I thought it was about White Castles hamburgers fighting!!
92
posted on
03/16/2002 5:35:39 PM PST
by
timestax
To: constitutiongirl, Spookbrat
So it is not a dead thread, but it seems apparent that you two wish to be alone-so I'll respect your wishes and move on. See you both on another site, another time.
Adios.
To: F.J. Mitchell
Where are you going?
To: pocat
I think there must be a parallel universe where White folks are used as Team mascots much more widely than here while there are NO Indian mascots. And in that parallel universe, the Indians are OUTRAGED over being snubbed as mascots.
95
posted on
03/16/2002 6:20:03 PM PST
by
PJ-Comix
To: What Is Ain't
I was gonna buy one, but not with this PC crap on the back.
Too bad, I would of liked one.
To: aruanan
You say too many have accepted the term American to mean U.S. citizen.Yes, it is an abbreviation, but that is not all it is. The United States of America is the only nation in the Americas to have America in its name. And America has long been an alternative to the United States of America. So it is entirely proper to call our citizens Americans
97
posted on
03/16/2002 6:38:13 PM PST
by
luvbach1
To: capt. norm; JohnHuang2
Political correctness is robbing us of our freedom very gradually Today I went to a used book sale at my local library. Next to the section for politics I noticed a sign that said:
Mine
Ours
Thiers
Hers
History
LOL Someone in that library has a wicked wit!
To: Libertina
bttt
99
posted on
03/16/2002 8:17:50 PM PST
by
timestax
To: SpookBrat
"Where are you going?"
To bed-it was past my bedtime.
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