[Peace-discuss] quick report from the anti-racist mascot demonstration Saturday October 23, 2010

[Karen Medina]

In response to Jenifer's questions:

I am not sure what we expect from any demonstration.
There are several levels.
* Personally, I sometimes go simply because by not going I would be saying
that I don't care.
* I was also interested in knowing about how many people and what kind of
people were going to the "Next Dance". It was kind of creepy how many did
go.
* Even though 60-100 people were demonstrating, it was 1) overwhelming how
many people were attending the event and 2) how much the pro-chief people
felt some sort of fake patriotism, 3) the lack of education of those
attending, and 4) the lack of respect for demonstrators in general.

As for the demonstration at the Administration building last week:
The main message to the administration was that the U of I needs to get a
new mascot. Getting rid of the Chief was a huge step, but until that hole is
plugged, there will be large numbers of people who want the Chief to fill it
again. (at the current moment, I am not so sure we need a mascot at all --
earlier in the week, I thought a new mascot would solve some things -- I am
not so sure now).

Chancellor Herman did come out the side door and talked to the press.

As he was going back inside, a chant of "Talk to us" started. He came back
out and did come talk to us. The main point was that the new mascot needed
to be chosen. I am pretty sure that he missed all the points.

At both events, minorities outnumbered the whites in the group of
demonstrators which in itself is interesting.

-karen medina
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