Will Retiring the Chief Fix a Racial Rift?

For years it's been a great debate on this campus, is the chief a racist symbol? Just a few weeks ago that very topic got so heated students started making threats and hundreds gathered on this campus for a racism forum. Now the question... will retiring the chief calm the waters or simply make more waves? 1971 U of I alum Fran Turquette says after decades of controversy this decision brings hope. "It might make some impact." Turquette says retiring the chief could help quell racism in her hometown. "It has been such a divisive issue and it's gone on for so long a time." Activist Jen Tayabji agrees; getting rid of the chief will help students and administrators get to the root of racism. She's been working with Progressive Resource Action Cooperative for years to get that point across. "It was hard to deal with that issue without dealing with the mascot," she says. 'I think this will allow people to really delve into those issues and see why it's so systemic at U of I and see what then can be done." But not everyone agrees retiring the chief will keep racism in check. "I don't think it really will have anything to quell the racism on campus," says U of I alum Doug Elsbernd. "There's always other sorts of racism, so this is just one thing," says Urbana resident Ann Williamson. Some say racism is inherent in our culture. "As far as the native Americans, i don't know that it will really change many people's opinion on campus," Elsbernd says. "A lot of people I think will still think back to the chief when they think of the fighting Illini." Others say this change could cause an even larger divide. But that's a risk Turquette and Tayabji are willing to take. "The decision doesn't resolve that conflict in it's entirity," Tayabji says. "But I think it's something that will go away as the university the students the faculty the administration keep working on these issues." "It's the divisiveness the racism," Turquette says. "We're moving into the 21st century. It seems like remaining with the chief is a previous century."