From: "Rodney Coates" To: "Racial-Religious-EthnoNationalist Violence Studies" Date: Tue, 16 Apr 96 15:20:54 +0 Reply-To: "Rodney Coates" Subject: Racist Imagery in Academia: What's in a Name Editor Miami Student Miami University Oxford, Ohio 45056 April 15, 1996 To the Editor of the Miami Student: Your most recent publication suggested that Prof. Peter Rose was beating a dead horse with his repeated and current attempt to change the name of the Miami Mascot. Perhaps you're right, but is it. I was taught it is evil to call that which is bad good, and for us to continue in this facade is more than shameful. Consider the definition of Redskin found in the American heritage Dictionary (1995, pg. 114). Redskin (Offensive slur) Used to demean or vulgarize one of Native American descent. But in your article you further suggested that we have more important things to do, but I ask What's In a Name to you. What's In a Name Rodney D. Coates/96 Got more fish to fry, more important issues to settle Redskin, redskin...we are the mighty, mighty redskins. How many injuns you speck we got here now -maybe 2 or 3. We love our Lil redskin boys and girls, skinning and grinning Chief "Grin A Lot" looks good on our hats- gotta study now. Redskin, redskin ...we be might, mighty proud that we be redskin. Honor them, bring out Chief"Grin A Lot"..let's see him dance Play it again Sam, grin some more O Chief "Grin A Lot" Cause we be the mighty, mighty - redskins. Sacred burial place of a noble people Far beneath this educational temple. The trail of blood and tears marks their way As we drove them out on that forgotten day. Scalped them, killed them, and buried them alive. No one cared, just savages then -Redskins now. Mascot, ignoble present, disdains a glorious present. Can we talk, you know talk about diversity. Politically correct, liberal bastards would destroy Our temple built upon these mounds. Condemn the ignorant they know not, we be the mighty, mighty redskins now. No scalps, no bounty, no prize too big - redskins forever the chant. But what of the pain, the guilt, the sorrow caused No one listens, the tree falls without a sound. Chief "Grin A lot" sho can sell some hats Keep your comments locked in a vat. I doubt if you will find space to print this, and of course I will understand. There is so much of importance which I'm sure will take precedence in your publication. In sorrow, Rodney D. Coates Director of Black World Studies Associate Professor of Sociology