You can't honor someone simply by claiming you are honoring them. That has been the core issue of stereotypes and mascots since the beginning of organized sports teams. If a person wants to see how to truly honor a people, stroll through the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community-funded mall at the end of the new TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota. Each of the tribal nations in Minnesota has its own elegant statue that informs, celebrates and enhances. Like native people themselves, the mall is subtle, yet cannot be ignored, powerful in an understated way. This is how to honor people. Contrast this to a man performing at halftime a mash-up of "Flashdance" and every spaghetti western ever made or a group of people masquerading in costumes and face paint. As a U of M alum, a tribal member and football fan, I wanted to share my perspective. Honor is paid when it is genuine, when it informs and enhances. If other schools playing football at the University of Minnesota are uncertain as to whether their mascot honors native people, take the TCF Stadium test. If you have to remind people that you are honoring them, chances are you're not. TIMOTHY A. BROWN, ST. PAUL
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