Editorial, Great Bend Tribune, published November 14, 2002

November 6, 2001

Matthew Richter, 1131 Iron Horse Rd
McPherson, KS, 67460,

Opinion Editor
Great Bend Tribune
2012 Forest
Great Bend, Kansas 67530

Here we are, Standing United as Americans victimized from a violent, bigoted and bloody attack on our freedoms and Larned High School pulls a stunt like this. You blew it. Before the double talk and the lies about "we honor and respect Indians" comes drooling out of your mouths look at your racist homecoming activities.

"BLOOD! THE SCENT OF VICTORY!" Painted right there in the city street with a huge, dripping, bloody tomahawk. "SCALP 'EM" in Indian UG talk. Don't tell us you do this for any intelligent reason. You are teaching kids to ridicule Indian Culture.

Violent stereotypes aimed at Native Americans are not okay. Oh, not aimed at them? Just kind of a HA, HA funny joke at their expense? What the heck do you teach kids in Larned about Indians to let this racism hit the city street? Maybe the violent bloody painting is considered to be insignificant after the "burn them at the stake" Indians float paraded around town all day October 5th?

If this had been a violent all day scene and paintings about Arabs you would be the laughing stock of the country. The police would have been there along with the Department of Justice to stop you for a hate crime. There would be press asking your school questions about fellow citizens rights to live free from vicious violent images of them displayed in public.

Of course you give that freedom from ridicule to Arab Americans but not to Native Americans because you are bigots. You do not believe in Native Americans right to pass down a public city street free from ridicule and mockery. Get rid of the Indian mascot and get something else instead. You blew it.

Sincerely,

Matthew Richter