Thank you for your reply educatedindian. I appreciate your responses, but would just like to provide some perspective.
I don't know or feel that courts always make the correct or "right" decision, so that does not make something racist to me. Courts must make decisions according to law and nothing more. There may have been a racist cartoon of a Native boy, I don't recall ever seeing it. I was just pointing out that many of us were proud to have the Utes as the symbol of the university. I grew up feeling extremely proud of that. That is not to say that if the Utes take offense, or if the Utes were being represented in a defamatory or degrading manner it should not be changed.
I appreciate your comment that not understanding something to be racist does not make one racist. I never purport to know and understand all. When it comes to racial issues, I may understand less, because I always feel like no one can do anything right if someone is looking for fault in this area.
As long as I knew of him people referred to him as Apache McClean, and I fairly sure that was before he would have legally changed his name. He came to my attention in approximately 1968. Not sure if the chicken or the egg came first in this instance. Many folks have legally changed their names to what were previously nicknames. I think things are racist when done with intention of making fun of, degrading, or slighting in any manner. When something is done because someone considers it an honor, is proud of, or otherwise is trying to promote it in a positive way and they are still faulted, well, the argument against them is unjust and it just brings to light the sad and pathetic state of the world and humankind.
I do not think the naming of his shop was meant to be disrespectful in any way.
Using the term "costume" instead of regalia is not meant to imply in any way that it is something like Halloween or diminish what was worn for the various dances and ceremonies in any way. I don't think that debating semantics helps to bring about understanding or harmony and I think the definition of "costume" qualifies it for the way in which I used it.
I think that Apache McClean undertook to live in the traditions and beliefs of the Native American culture with which he was involved to the greatest degree possible within the confines of the parameters he lived in as a school teacher and living within suburban America. No I do not think that makes him obsessed. As far as i recall, he was not particularly social and spent his time pursuing his involvement with Native American culture.
7. Yeah, I don't get this response.
8. I don't know that every doctor, firefighter, veteran, and actual teacher touch lives in a meaningful way and have a lasting impact. Many do I'm sure, but I don't think most of any race or culture are those professions.
I think he did teach them well, because he gave many a great a love and respect for Native American culture, rather than letting them be indoctrinated into the idea that assimilation was somehow the right way. Having grown up in S.L.C., I witnessed the dominant religion in the area placing Native American children into the homes of families in my neighborhood to bring them into the religious beliefs, culture, and ways of white, middle class America. I went to school with those kids and knew them well. I also knew just how unhappy they were. I also passed the Intermountian Inidian School in Brigham City, UT many times while I was growing up and always felt ashamed that it existed and sad for the children there because it was my understanding they were taken away from their families and placed there to be brought into the ways of the white people or through the assimilation process - something I have always been against and am to this day. If that is what an individual chooses to do, no problem. But to indoctrinate and force people through the process is wrong in my opinion. Particularly in light of my feeling that many of the Native American beliefs, ways of living, and cultural ideals should perhaps have been assimilated by the Europeans if it weren't for their blind belief in manifest destiny.
Is it dress up silliness when a Native American does it and participates in social and cultural events?
Sometimes I feel that one can do no right, even when trying to do something positive and good. No good deed goes unpunished. Anything can be looked at and interpreted in a negative way, especially by those who make their living by the existence of dissonance and racial tension. Was the underground railroad a segregated rail service? When it comes to racism, I don't think anyone has a corner on any particular cultural norms, beliefs, ideals, or otherwise. Just because someone is born into a particular race, culture, or religion does not mean they identify with it, relate to it, understand, or have to adopt it as their own. The world would be a much less interesting and enjoyable place if that were the case. Plenty of great blues and jazz musicians would not have been allowed to play that music based on their race.
I am not sure which Apache tribe he was involved with, but I do know that he spent his summers traveling the Southwest in his pickup truck with a camper and participating in many Native American events.
My original post was not meant inflame hostile feelings, insult, or be a troll of any kind. I simply wanted to point out, that as someone familiar with the man and his family, I honestly believe his intentions were sincere and good, and that he did a lot of good.
