As a political prisoner, we must continue to petition for his release. His strong voice has been silenced for too many years. Rise up DU supporters, bring back Boone to his rightful place!
Expect we'll see a number of "discussion" sessions on campus this year, where administrators of color will continue to press everyone hard about how "offensive" the Boone image is to them as a symbol of western oppression to Native Americans, and DU's lily white leadership, being afraid to appear intolerant, is afraid to pull the trigger on a full comeback for Boone.
In order for Boone to overcome very well spoken and well-organized opposition (don't underestimate the power of tenured senior administrators on a college campus), someone of stature in the DU community is going to need to mount an articulate, cogent defense of Boone that goes beyond just quoting survey numbers favoring his return.
msbdu......it's the times we live in. As much as I would love a rebirth of Boone, in today's uptight, hypersensitive and "PC" society, I just don't see it happening. I hope I'm wrong though.
This thing is going to break one of two ways. Either DU reinstates the mascot or they don't and some DU alum donates a million dollars but withholds the gift until they reinstate Boone.
Its more than a little ironic that DU can invite a hip-hop band to campus called "Swollen Members," but that Boone is offensive. :-)
Well to most of us, he's a harmless, smiley Disney Cartoon character - a happy little logo that reminds us of our college days. Not offensive at all.
But if you are Native American, Boone may be seen as a depiction of a western Pioneer, the very people that drove the the Native Americans off their land and killed many of them off. And they see DU bringing the logo back as a symbol of majority rule.
Given that history is usually written by the victors, this would dispute probably not be an issue, except that DU is also making a huge school-wide effort to appeal to people of color these days, to reflect the changing demographics of our society, and to change the historic 'ethnically elite' nature of private universities.
Symbols matter to people - as much as we might love Boone, others see him the opposite way. And in a university environment, dissenters not only protected by academic freedom and tenure. I also think many at DU are terrified to appear intolerant of others, so it's far easier to coddle the interests of a few rather than appeal to the interests of many.
Thats fine and dandy Swami. But for a school that could sorely use a couple of million dollar in merchandise sales and the goodwill of its core constituents, perhaps it needs to pick and choose its diversity battles a little more carefully.
As I've said before we Alumni blew it by letting Boone get replaced in the first place without a fight.
I agree DG...the school needs to take time out for a reality check. Who donates to this school, certainly not the faculty. The majority of alums support the return of Boone to his proper status at DU. But I fear the PC's will prevail...what a shame to throw traditions out the window.
All good points here. But the sad reality is that many schools, businesses, clubs, organizations etc are far too concerned with having their images possibly tarnished in certain cases than with satisfying/appealing to their stakeholders. Rather than listen to the majority of alums and students and others who support Boone (even if those in support are 99% of the population paying attention to this issue) administrators are likely to listen to those who are in opposition and take offense to Boone.
Is DU willing to take that risk and offend some? If I were betting I would say no.
DU's taking their time with the decision which everyone on both sides reluctantly agrees is only fair.
Diversity Issues vs. School Spirit - Who'd of thunk it over a cartoon character.
Should be an interesting debate if it ever became "public." I'm guessing DU wouldn't want to conduct a public hearing because all hell could break loose.
The fact that the students got involved and brought the issue to the forefront, makes it a "winner" in my book.
I think there will be some public forums and dialogues on this subject, but my guess is that a lot of very serious thought will go into how these forums are contructed, and how input will be gathered...they don't want all hell to break loose, but I think they will want to talk about it.
13 comments:
As a political prisoner, we must continue to petition for his release. His strong voice has been silenced for too many years. Rise up DU supporters, bring back Boone to his rightful place!
Free Boone from the clutches of ignorance.
Expect we'll see a number of "discussion" sessions on campus this year, where administrators of color will continue to press everyone hard about how "offensive" the Boone image is to them as a symbol of western oppression to Native Americans, and DU's lily white leadership, being afraid to appear intolerant, is afraid to pull the trigger on a full comeback for Boone.
In order for Boone to overcome very well spoken and well-organized opposition (don't underestimate the power of tenured senior administrators on a college campus), someone of stature in the DU community is going to need to mount an articulate, cogent defense of Boone that goes beyond just quoting survey numbers favoring his return.
Swami,
I accept your invitation to take on the Forces of Evil. I don't wear lipstick, but I share a number of characteristics with pit Bulls. :-)
dg
You know I like it a lot better when everyone wasn't trying to be "politically correct" How in the world could anyone be offended by Boone?
msbdu......it's the times we live in. As much as I would love a rebirth of Boone, in today's uptight, hypersensitive and "PC" society, I just don't see it happening. I hope I'm wrong though.
Go Pioneers!!
This thing is going to break one of two ways. Either DU reinstates the mascot or they don't and some DU alum donates a million dollars but withholds the gift until they reinstate Boone.
Its more than a little ironic that DU can invite a hip-hop band to campus called "Swollen Members," but that Boone is offensive. :-)
How in the world can anyone be offended by Boone?
Well to most of us, he's a harmless, smiley Disney Cartoon character - a happy little logo that reminds us of our college days. Not offensive at all.
But if you are Native American, Boone may be seen as a depiction of a western Pioneer, the very people that drove the the Native Americans off their land and killed many of them off. And they see DU bringing the logo back as a symbol of majority rule.
Given that history is usually written by the victors, this would dispute probably not be an issue, except that DU is also making a huge school-wide effort to appeal to people of color these days, to reflect the changing demographics of our society, and to change the historic 'ethnically elite' nature of private universities.
Symbols matter to people - as much as we might love Boone, others see him the opposite way. And in a university environment, dissenters not only protected by academic freedom and tenure. I also think many at DU are terrified to appear intolerant of others, so it's far easier to coddle the interests of a few rather than appeal to the interests of many.
Thats fine and dandy Swami. But for a school that could sorely use a couple of million dollar in merchandise sales and the goodwill of its core constituents, perhaps it needs to pick and choose its diversity battles a little more carefully.
As I've said before we Alumni blew it by letting Boone get replaced in the first place without a fight.
I agree DG...the school needs to take time out for a reality check. Who donates to this school, certainly not the faculty. The majority of alums support the return of Boone to his proper status at DU. But I fear the PC's will prevail...what a shame to throw traditions out the window.
All good points here. But the sad reality is that many schools, businesses, clubs, organizations etc are far too concerned with having their images possibly tarnished in certain cases than with satisfying/appealing to their stakeholders. Rather than listen to the majority of alums and students and others who support Boone (even if those in support are 99% of the population paying attention to this issue) administrators are likely to listen to those who are in opposition and take offense to Boone.
Is DU willing to take that risk and offend some? If I were betting I would say no.
DU's taking their time with the decision which everyone on both sides reluctantly agrees is only fair.
Diversity Issues vs. School Spirit - Who'd of thunk it over a cartoon character.
Should be an interesting debate if it ever became "public." I'm guessing DU wouldn't want to conduct a public hearing because all hell could break loose.
The fact that the students got involved and brought the issue to the forefront, makes it a "winner" in my book.
I think there will be some public forums and dialogues on this subject, but my guess is that a lot of very serious thought will go into how these forums are contructed, and how input will be gathered...they don't want all hell to break loose, but I think they will want to talk about it.
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