Editor:
Its amazing what an individual will find to be racially offensive. It is equally amazing to see a small group speak up for an entire culture, who never made this group a representative of their cause.
I am talking about the authors of ?The Chronicle?s View? on April 17, who speak of degrading symbols to the native Americans. The writers point out the Ute statue on the patio of our Student Union and the Ute mural in the A. Ray Olpin University Union Bowling Ally.
What I don’t understand is how these symbols could be seen as degrading. My personal interpretation is that these symbols reflect pride, honor, dignity and a strong Native American Spirit.
As University of Utah students, we also claim ourselves as Utes and these symbols represent the spirit we should all embrace in our college endeavors. Just by looking at the symbols, one can only see pride. But just in case one might think I’m just blowing hot air, I am a union Bowling Alley employee and I get a yearly chance to talk with the Native Americans from the reservations.
That is right. Once a year a group of Native American Student of all ages and many adults are chosen to represent their community. These representatives travel to most of Utah’s schools, sometimes in full ceremonial dress (which the writers of The Chronicle?s View felt so offended by, when the natives are willing to wear them) and give our sheltered lives a view of their culture.
During these visits I have asked these students if they find the Bowling Ally mural offensive.
None of them have ever answered with a yes (in fact as I recall the only people who seem offended by the mural, is an occasional Caucasian student).
What they do find offensive is that the reservations are lucky to receive even a partially paved road, how a household telephone is considered a luxury and their schools have to fight for left-over supplies from our schools.
Not all off-reservation symbols hurt their cause and some actually help their cause. The bowling ally mural and statue on the union patio remind us that Native Americans still exist and represent a part of our lives and culture as Americans.
One should only hope to show half the pride in their daily lives that these symbols reflect.
James Olin
Senior, History