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[source: NativeNews; Thu, 10 Feb 2000 16:51:21]

Subject: [NativeNews] Little Red Sambo
From: ishgooda@voyager.net

Returned a bit ago from the demonstration in front of the
Michigan Union in Ann Arbor.  Banners and flags hung from
the tower building fluttering seven floors above those
gathered on the walk way and stairs at the entrance.  Tree
Town drum played the Flag song and all those other places,
people events have been under this song across the country
were somehow brought here this morning to Ann Arbor in this
living drum.

Petitions and red arm bands were passed to those here and
with megaphones they addressed the assemblage.

The "Little Red Sambo" flyer reads:
The Student of Color coalition recognizes that he University
of Michigan and the Tower Societies are institutions that
are deeply vested in the perpetuation of each other.
Therefore, we have taken the task upon ourselves to insure
that information regarding information or items that we
discover are archived and distributed independently of the
University of Michigan.  One item in particular that we
would like to share is an effigy of a :"Red Sambo".  The Red
Sambo was found in plain sight lying next to a stereotypical
statue of a Native American warrior.  It is a small wooden
painted figurine of a Native American man dancing and
holding a tomahawk.  Its facial features are grotesquely
exaggerated; large blue eyes, elaborate head dress extending
down to figurines rear as a tail, naked and lacking
genitals, accented cheek bones decorated in war pain, brass
arm bands, and tomahawk in hand.  The stance of the figurine
is actually an imitation war dance.  We can only guess why
such a disrespectful item would be present.  nevertheless,
he implications of this figurine's presence serves toi only
confirm our initial impressions that the Tower Societies
perpetuate a culture that is acerbic toward Native American
culture and racist.

As an Afro-American, this figurine reminds me of the
depictions of Blacks throughout our history as sambos;
childish, seminal, heathenish creatures.  We have discovered
that the Vulcans actually participated in rituals in which
they employed "Black Face" theatrics; bastardizing and
mocking Afro-American culture as well.  Still, what is even
more deafening is is the extent to which the Tower societies
and their practices and traditions are an extension of the
University itself.  James B Angell, former president of the
university of Michigan (1871-1909), was an honorary member
of Michiguama.  Angell Hall was named for him.  Gerald R.
Ford is an honorary member of Michiguama;("Flippin Back
Ford"; Tribe of 1935).  Fielding H Yost was an honorary
member of Michiguama: ("The Great Scalper", Tribe of 1922).
 The Yost Arena was named for Fielding H. Yost.  Glen
Schembechler, otherwise known as Bo Schembechler, is an
honorary member of Michiguama: ("Big Ten Wrecker"; Tribe of
1983).  Schembechler Hall is named for him.  Harlan H
Hatcher was an honorary member of Michiguama: ("White Eagle
Hatcher", Tribe of 1962).  The Graduate Library was named
for him.  Robbin W. Fleming is an honorary member of
Michiguama ("Silver Feathers Fleming", Tribe of 1979).  The
Fleming building is named for him.

The University of Michigan has in essence established
institutional and cultural ties with the Tower Societies a
evidenced by the naming of buildings after individuals who
were and are active members of the Tower Societies.  This
relationship is significant because it reflects the
university's extreme negligence regarding issues that
concern students of color; systemically and culturally.  The
petition submitted by theStudent's of Color Coalition is a
concerted effort to induce the University of Michigan to
recognize its moral and legal responsibilities regarding the
Tower Societies and the larger existential issues affecting
students of color.

The University of Michigan is reputed as one of the most
progressive institutions in higher learning in the United
States, yet this university has directly encouraged a
substantive relationship with the Tower Societies, that
continues today.  We also recognize that the University has
failed to adequately address issues relating to students of
color; even after countless meetings and proposals
submittals regarding the issue addressed in the Student of
color petition.  The Student of Color coalition (SCC)
demands that the University of Michigan denounce and
eliminate all ties and subsidies with the Tower Societies,
and we demand the University Administration respond
immediately to the petition submitted by the SCC on February
4, 2000.
 

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Information Pages: http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm
Online Petition: http://kola-hq.hypermart.net
Greeting Cards: http://users.skynet.be/kola/cards.htm
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