Hear, Hear!!!!

Sara M. Fagan wrote:

>I still wonder why, if "Fighting Sioux" is offensive, the "Fighting Irish" is not offensive.  
>
>Sara
>SLU '77
>Let's go SAINTS!!!
>
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
>From: Moller Edward N <[log in to unmask]>
>  
>
>>From the Chronicle of Higher Education, November 26, 2006:
>>
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>>>The University of North Dakota may have won a temporary reprieve on the
>>>      
>>>
>>use of its "Fighting Sioux" nickname in postseason tournaments, but the
>>athletics director at Dartmouth College is making it known that she
>>disagrees with that decision.  The director, Jo Ann (Josie) Harper, has
>>publicly apologized for inviting the team to participate in a hockey
>>tournament scheduled for next month, the Associated Press reported.  In
>>her apology, published in the college newspaper last week, Ms. Harper
>>said officials had not considered North Dakota's nickname when the
>>scheduling was done nearly two years ago.  "I deeply regret that we
>>didn't," she wrote.
>>
>>    
>>
>>>North Dakota is suing the NCAA over its restrictions on American Indian
>>>      
>>>
>>nicknames and mascots that are considered offensive, and the university
>>recently won a legal order delaying enforcement of those rules until the
>>matter is decided in court. 
>>
>>
>>I have stayed away from this conversation on this forum, but now I feel
>>compelled to write.  What on earth does Dartmouth have to apologize for?
>>Are they implying that they did something wrong by inviting NoDak to the
>>tournament?  If that is what they are implying, then will they hold that
>>standard up to all other institutions of higher learning when
>>considering intercollegiate competition?  Further, will they also apply
>>that standard when considering joint academic endeavors such as the
>>hiring of visiting faculty members?  What about transfer students?  Are
>>they saying that no UND underclassmen need apply?
>>
>>Full disclosure:  I am left of center politically and a proud citizen of
>>Massachusetts, who tends to lean towards the removal of nicknames that
>>cross the boundaries of good taste (Redskin IMHO is racist; I'm pretty
>>sure that Fighting Sioux is over the line; I don't have a problem with
>>the use of a tribal name by itself).  But for Dartmouth to say that it
>>is holier than thou (regardless of having removed its Native American
>>nickname many years ago) opens up a Pandora's box.  As A BU fan whose
>>team will be playing in Hanover that week, I'm not so sure that I would
>>want to be a part of their tournament.
>>
>> 
>>________
>>Edward N. Moller
>>Controller and Assistant Treasurer
>>Mount Ida College
>>777 Dedham Street
>>Newton, MA  02459-3323
>>Tel  617-928-4515
>>Fax 617-928-4581
>>[log in to unmask]
>>
>>Mount Ida College provides a diverse community of learners a challenging
>>education that blends the liberal arts with professional preparation.
>>We dedicate our energy, imagination, and resources to empowering all
>>students to achieve academically and contribute responsibly in a
>>changing world.
>>    
>>
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