You asked, "What does the Chief have to say about any of this?"
This is an example of how when a culture perpetuates stereotypes, it can lead one to believe that one knows everything one needs to know about an ethnic group such as Native Americans. It shows the tragic lack of knowledge and compassion most of us have regarding contemporary Natives or the issues they are currently facing, even those in our own community.
As far as I know, there is no "chief" of the local Chumash nation. But for the record, the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation Tribal Council did submit a letter to the Carpinteria School Board on March 11, 2008, stating the following: "We, the Tribal Council of the Chumash Nation, support Elias Matisz-Cordero in his efforts to prevent the stereotyping of native peoples at Carpinteria [Middle School] and High Schools through the use of native mascots and imagery. We support our youth in their efforts to bring awareness regarding stereotypes and respect for native culture. These issues are important to our tribes and native communities. We urge the school board to take action on this matter. Respectfully, Janet D. Garcia Tribal Chairwom[a]n"
Speaking of tolerance, I encourage us to educate ourselves about what this means as it is commonly used and understood.
One of the definitions provided by Webster's online dictionary is: "sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own."
In its Declaration on the Principles of Tolerance, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines Tolerance as: "respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. Tolerance is harmony in difference."
I suggest that we practice Tolerance as we explore the Native mascot issue together. There is no place for name-calling in any decent or rational discussion.
Sincerely,
Defender of Compassionate Communication and Respect for All People
Previous Month
Posted on May 4 at 9:49 p.m.
Dear DefenderofCommonSense,
You asked, "What does the Chief have to say about any of this?"
This is an example of how when a culture perpetuates stereotypes, it can lead one to believe that one knows everything one needs to know about an ethnic group such as Native Americans. It shows the tragic lack of knowledge and compassion most of us have regarding contemporary Natives or the issues they are currently facing, even those in our own community.
As far as I know, there is no "chief" of the local Chumash nation. But for the record, the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation Tribal Council did submit a letter to the Carpinteria School Board on March 11, 2008, stating the following:
"We, the Tribal Council of the Chumash Nation, support Elias Matisz-Cordero in his efforts to prevent the stereotyping of native peoples at Carpinteria [Middle School] and High Schools through the use of native mascots and imagery. We support our youth in their efforts to bring awareness regarding stereotypes and respect for native culture. These issues are important to our tribes and native communities. We urge the school board to take action on this matter.
Respectfully,
Janet D. Garcia
Tribal Chairwom[a]n"
Speaking of tolerance, I encourage us to educate ourselves about what this means as it is commonly used and understood.
One of the definitions provided by Webster's online dictionary is: "sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own."
In its Declaration on the Principles of Tolerance, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines Tolerance as:
"respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. Tolerance is harmony in difference."
I suggest that we practice Tolerance as we explore the Native mascot issue together. There is no place for name-calling in any decent or rational discussion.
Sincerely,
Defender of Compassionate Communication and Respect for All People
On A Warrior by Any Other Icon