SEMO can respect Indian heritage

By Cliff F. Rudesill

Anything -- whether it be people, plants, animals or traditional mascots -- will die if they don't receive nourishment, water or attention.

Present and recent past Southeast Missouri State University administrations, for a variety of reasons, have done nothing to help sustain the traditional Southeast mascots, the Indians and Otahkians.

Someone decided several years ago, for reasons of political correctness, that if we ignore the mascots and remove all signs and recognition, they would just fade away.

They have practically succeeded.

They knew who and where to ask for opinions and polls to get the answer they wanted.

As "Dutch" Meyr pointed out, where administrations have cultivated and promoted respect for traditional Indian mascots, they have survived and flourished.

Examples are numerous; Florida State Seminoles, Arkansas State Indians, Jackson Indians, Atlanta Braves, Washington Redskins.

The names Capaha, Cherokee, Delaware, Shawnee, Osage, Trail of Tears and Indian Hills were chose for our parks, subdivisions and even a bank as a sign of respect for their Indian heritage by our ancestors.

Why the most recent Southeast administrators have chosen the path of acquiescence I do not know. Maybe university officials were too occupied with academics.

One thing they do recognize are the funds the sports activities bring to Southeast.

All the top administrators would have to ask for was a designated group of administrators to start promoting a respectful building of Indian pride. It would have been done.

But, piece by piece and through premeditated neglect, the symbols that meant so much in the past were left to wither and die.

The only hope now is the university's board of regents. They can strongly suggest that proper respect and attention should be paid to our area's Indian heritage to build on the strength and character of the original inhabitants of our area.

One key supporter of Southeast, Kenneth Lee Dement, has expressed his thoughts. Who is listening?

The board of regents?

Cliff F. Rudesill is a Cape Girardeau resident.