OCTOBER 24, 2001

Dear American Comments Magazine;

My children and I frequently go to Larned, Kansas to visit friends and relatives there. I was at Larned the weekend of October 5th. Larned High School (LHS) is "home" of the "Indians" sports mascot and the school was having a home coming celebration.

I am a 15-year veteran in advocating for social justice and human rights; therefore, I have worked diligently with the American Indian Movement and other organizations across the nation, to remove American Indian sports mascots from our public schools. Because of the education and awareness we have done in Kansas with school officials and the public, with regard to the offensive nature of these types of sports mascots, Larned School District Administration most certainly is aware of this issue. Therefore, what I witnessed at Larned, KS in front of the high school, on October 5^th shocked and angered me.

All schools that continue to use these offensive images state they are "honoring" American Indians. As your readers can see by looking at the attached photos taken by me on October 5^th, these images portrait horrific stereotypes of American Indians as violent, bloodthirsty killers. These types of street murals are LHS homecoming traditions.

This violent and derogatory stereotype is not an honor but a despicable insult, that evidently, is condoned by LHS school officials and Larned School District. This is clear evidence of what educators and other adults, in the Larned area, teach their students.

In addition to these blatant concerns of racial stereotyping, the fact that this mural was painted on a public funded roadway, as part of a public school event is a violation of civil rights. My family, members of the Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma, found this image very disturbing. We have a right to pass on a public street without racially derogatory images placed before us.

During a time of increased school violence, why are students encouraged to depict a violent act such as this, at a school function? During a time of heightened race hate violence against Arab-Americans and other groups, why is it okay that adults condone students to commit this racial offense against American-Indians?

Those of us who work to promote respect and sensitivity to all people and cultures, have learned that Larned School District has formally recognized racial conflicts exists in their schools. This Schools American-Indian sports mascot, and the derogatory images it perpetuates against a specific race, will continue to fuel the fire of racial conflict in all Kansas public schools. Myself and other advocates intend to meet with city officials and school district administrators in Larned, Kansas and will expect these issues to be addressed.

Joni Tucker-Nisbeth, LBSW

American Indian Movement - Coordinator, Kansas Support Group