Unfettered Letters

No apology needed

Missouri Rep. Bryan Stevenson need not apologize for calling the Civil War “the War of Northern Aggression” (2/11, Local). Actually, I call it “the War of Yankee Arrogance.” But due to the politically correct stance that is current today, stating my southern sympathies would be like talking to a wall.

However, if Stevenson’s Cherokee Indian heritage is a factor, remember this: After the war, the Yankees broke treaties, made huge land grabs, committed rape, genocide and put Indians in concentration camps. (Oh, excuse me, I mean reservations.)

Stevenson should apologize only for the apology itself.

Greg Miller
Overland Park

Incarceration of Peltier

While history is replete with examples of deplorable treatment of Native Americans, the prosecution and incarceration of Leonard Peltier is not one of them (2/9, Local, “Behind case lies a larger cause”).

Peltier was present at the scene of the execution of the FBI agents, and if he did not commit the act, he knows who did. If he did not do the murder himself, his misguided loyalty to whoever did and his unwillingness to cooperate in the investigation make him a conspirator, which is adequate justification for his imprisonment.

He has always held the key to his own freedom if he is innocent, but he has chosen instead to play for sympathy from “celebrities and countless others of influence,” which, if successful, would be a miscarriage of justice and would in no way undo past and present mistreatment of Native Americans who have committed no crimes.

Mike Wheeler
Kansas City

‘Smudge sticks’ part of sacred ritual

I have followed the circus we call City Hall with much disdain. But The Star’s article “Warding off evil spirits” (12/13, Local) compels me to come to Gloria Squitiro’s defense. The burning of sweet grass, sage, cedar and tobacco is a Native American custom used to cleanse and purify.

Before our color guard presents the colors, they are smudged. The color guards (I am one of them) bathe their bodies in the smoke. When we pray, everyone in the prayer circle bathes their bodies in the smoke to cleanse and purify.

I do not know whether Gloria Squitiro is Native American, but she certainly has some knowledge of our customs. I have smudged my home and office. I take offense that former mayoral aide Joe Miller seems to think this very sacred ritual is hilarious. A little respect on both sides could have prevented a lot of this disgrace we call city government.

Roy Slavin
Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Legislator, District 1
Kansas City

Mascot names

David Whitlock (10/19, Letters) is upset about sports teams having names or nicknames referencing American Indians or other minorities.

Here’s a thought: In the name of political correctness, let’s also rename any river, creek, street, county, park or state that in any way references the aforementioned or any other groups. Remember, we’ll have to also remove them from our history books. How do you suggest we rename them?

Being of Irish heritage, the first I want to see go is the “Fighting Irish” of Notre Dame. I’m really offended — not!

Next, we will get the animal rights people to do away with the Lions, Tigers and Bears (oh, my), Eagles, Wildcats, Mules, Buffaloes, Broncos (I’m OK with that one), the Banana Slugs of Santa Barbara, etc. By the way, what exactly is a Jayhawk?

Catholics, where is your outrage about ’Dem Saints? Music fans, the Jazz?

Please, David, and all you other PC fanatics, give it a break and concern yourselves with more important things.

Leland R. Neal
Corder, Mo.

Offensive mascot

While watching the Cleveland baseball team in the playoffs, notice the Cleveland mascot, Chief Wahoo, on the ballcaps. It is time to stop using minority groups — American Indians in this case — as sports or school mascots!

David Whitlock
Kansas City

Chief Illiniwek

The letter from Nathan Jenkins (3/3, “Good riddance to mascot”) showed much ignorance. I am a proud graduate of the University of Illinois. Calling Chief Illiniwek a “mascot” in the same context as a wild animal or a mythical bird is a terrible insult to Native Americans. The chief was not a mascot. He was the proud symbol of the heritage of a great state that was named after a great and now gone Native American civilization.

The chief and his wonderful dance performed only at halftime at football and basketball games were an inspiration to the teams and the school. These were meant to carry on a great tradition of the state and university.

It seems that all the self-appointed do-gooders of this country want to erase the memory of the Native Americans in every walk of life. Do Mr. Jenkins and those like him also want to change the name of the state of Kansas because it was named after Native Americans?

The NCAA made a terrible mistake in going after this great symbol. They should concentrate their efforts on the poor graduation rates among student athletes and let institutions of higher learning determine their own symbols.

Ron Teague
Shawnee

Sports team names

David Whitlock’s As I See It article (1/21, “ Schools, teams should drop use of offensive names”) convinced me that the use of Native American mascots is so evil that I am going to take personal responsibility for this inhumane practice and leave the continent to atone for past sins.

Maybe I’ll return to my grandmother’s native Ireland (Fighting Irish). Or since she was Catholic (Padres, Angels), maybe I’ll go to Italy. My wife is part-Norwegian (Vikings), so maybe we’ll move there.

On second thought, having served this country’s Marine Corps (Patriots), I think maybe I’ll just stay put.

However, I am glad that brave and righteous people are concerned about this awful problem. I hope we get rid of all these offensive names and spare my children the harmful influence of these negative stereotypes.

Scott Bielicki
Overland Park

Offensive language

On Sunday (8/13, Sports) The Star reported that “American Indians have filed a legal challenge to the Washington Redskins’ trademark, contending that the NFL team’s name is racially offensive.” The article concludes: “It is the policy of The Kansas City Star not to use the word ‘Redskins.’ An exception was made in this instance.”

Although this high-minded spirit would be appreciated were it the actual policy of The Star, the fact remains that each July 4 (including this year) the paper publishes an editorial decrying “merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.” (The editorial space is given over to the Declaration of Independence.)

In light of this annual rite of vitriol, I say: Spare me your (newfound) righteous indignation.

Vince Milum
Lenexa

Symphony in the prairie

The Flint Hills were alive with the sound of music on Saturday, June 10 (6/11, A-1, “The tallgrass sings with sweet sounds: Staging an orchestral work on the windswept plain proves to be a magnum opus in itself”).  An appreciative audience, gracious volunteers and organizers made this a successful venture.

There are two moments I’d like to share.

I met and chatted with Cordelia Clapp, the orator of American Indian background. She was honored and touched to be asked to speak. The hills and prairie are her lifeblood and heritage. What a kind, compassionate woman and spirit.

Also, this was a swan song for conductor Tim Hankewich. As he was given a bouquet of flowers, he elegantly pulled out a rose and conducted our encore, “Home on the Range,” using the rose as his baton!

This was typical of Tim’s style — he has brought charm, panache and beauty to our musical community.

We bid farewell to Tim and a grand thank you to the arrangers of this adventure on the prairie.

Susan Goldenberg
Violinist, Kansas City Symphony
Kansas City

Our ancestors

When I read Gertrude Brandy’s letter (5/8), I paused and read it again. Yes, she did indeed write, “We — or our ancestors — have all been immigrants, except our native American Indians.”

I am black. My ancestors came over here to this country as slaves, chained in the holds of ships. Many died. I felt compelled to enlighten Ms. Brandy.

We black people are still in the process of trying to obtain full citizenship in America.

Mary Louise Hinton
Kansas City