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the People's Voice:
Racism in Tennessee
'Stereotypes and Mascots'

"Letters to the Editor Concerning
Offensive Full-Page Cartoon"
Wednesday, January 13, 1999

Copyright © 1999
All Rights Reserved

Date: Monday, Jan 11, 1999
by Barbara MorningStar
Email: morningstar@HIGHLAND.NET

On Sunday, January 3, the Knoxville News-Sentinel printed an incredibly offensive, repulsive, full-page cartoon directed towards the Fiesta bowl, which the Tennessee Volunteers eventually won. The cartoon depicted a train with a caricature of a Native person, representing the Florida Seminoles (who were also playing in the Fiesta bowl). The train had hit the Indian man, there was a caption that said "Don't worry, Folks...He's not a full-blooded Indian...He's just a Semi-Nole!" There is a sign at the bottom of the cartoon that says "New and Improved Trail of Tears" and a quote that says "Paleface speak with forked-tongue! This land is ours as long as grass grows and river flows...oof!"

In fury and outrage, I called and spoke with the editor the following Monday, expressing my horror at the entire cartoon, the Trail of Tears reference and the reference to treaties that were broken causing the deaths of men, women and children. I told him that racism was unacceptable and that this was unforgivable. He told me that many people called terribly upset and that they would print a retraction the following Sunday (today). He said they meant no offense and were terribly sorry that they had been so insensitive. He was humble, apologetic and contrite.

Well, I bought the paper today and there were SEVEN letters to the editor expressing horror and offense at this cartoon. The only response from the editor was a small box in bold, italic letters that read:

"Some readers took offense at a News-Sentinel cartoon that ran on the Jan. 3 cover of a special sections setting up the Fiesta Bowl game between Tennessee and Florida State. Letter writers thought we crossed the line between bedeviling an opponent in a football game and stereotyping Native Americans by poking fun at the Seminoles, FSU's nickname. Particularly objectionable to the letter writers was a reference to the Trail of Tears, the historic route used by the federal government for removal of Native Americans from their lands in the South. Certainly there was no intent to belittle anyone. The cartoon was aimed at a worthy foe in the spirit of athletic rivalry, as were previous cartoons this past season featured in game-day editions. However, we acknowledge the sensitivities involved, and we apologize if we offended anyone - The Editor."

I do NOT consider this an appropriate apology. I see no evidence that there was any contrition or recognition of their wrong-doing or their racist attitude -only concern about offense. Below the letters to the editors, there is a large box (larger than the apology!) that states in large bold letters Letters from readers welcome. So it would be grand if others would consider telling this newspaper that we as a people have had ENOUGH of this.

The box says to mail to:

Letters to the Editor
The KNoxville News-Sentinel
P.O. Box 59038
Knoxville, TN. 37950-9038
FAX: (423) 673-2059
Email address: letters@knews.com
URL: http://www.knoxnews.com/talktous/emaileditor/

In unity,

Barbara MorningStar
URL: http://www.smokeymtns.com/creativespirit

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Historic Preservation
Date: Monday, January 11, 1999
From: Alan D. Emarthle, email: semnathist@renet.com
To: The Knoxville News-Sentinel, email:letters@knews.com

Editor:

My name is Alan D. Emarthle (HO-TUL-KE;Wind Before Storm). I am a proud full-blooded Indigenous Native. My blood is 1/2 Seminole 1/4 Choctaw and 1/4 Chickasaw. (all federally recognized tribes) This does not make me a Semi-nole, a word your paper used.

I am currently employed as the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma's Historic Preservation Officer and also the the Chief of the Tallahassee Band, we have 14 bands in the Seminole Nation.

My ancestors are Tokusee Emathla and Cotcha Emathla, they came on the trail of tears and were forturnate enough to survive on this journey, unlike so many others.

I have been made aware of the recent characterization of Seminole People in your newspaper. I can understand this was intended to be directed at Florida State University's football team and fans. However, it is a reflection of the educational system in this country and inconsideration of our society in it's portrayal of Native Peoples'.

It is unfortunate that the society of mainstream america does not understand the struggles of Native Peoples', we are continually treated as third world citizens in the land of our Grandfathers. In a land we were at one time 100% of the population, now we are now barely 1% today, but we are still here.

Along with 34 other tribes here in Oklahoma, there are five tribes that were forcibly removed from states in the Southeast, including Tennessee. (with the help of Andrew Jackson)

We are currently working together to have standing in the State of Tennessee to protect our ancestral graves and their burial goods, which are treated many time as spoils, by individuals and organizations. We are working closely with the Tennessee Indian Affairs Commission to make amendments in Tennessee Law.

If you would like to portray or write about the Seminoles, these would be some interesting topics for your paper.

This would let people know we exist, there are 12,000 Seminoles in Oklahoma, 3,000 in Florida and overall about 400,000 descendants of the original inhabitants of the Southeast, including Tennessee.(you can expect more letters).

It is unfortunate for the Knoxville News-Sentinel that you have touched on a very heated issue in Indian Country, "Indians as mascots", many of us believe that this demeans, dehumanizes and destroys our Native Communities. Our communities are plaqued with social ills and unemployment. (not eveyone runs a casino). The self-worth in our communities are low and our people grow with the mentality, that they are a defeated people, enforced by uneducation and the media.

If you knew the history of the Seminole people you would understand what it means to be a Seminole, our history speaks for itself. This a war never won by the U.S., only through the abuse of flags of trunce were many of our leaders ever captured. The stories are endless of the treaties broken throughout much of our history, this is not a matter to be taken lightly.

Even today, our treaties are being threatened, promises will be broken again by Congress and our people will suffer more. Why don't you write about those things, instead of displaying your racist, uneducated attitude toward Seminole people and Indigenous Natives.

If you would like to learn more about the Seminole People you may contact me at (405) 382-5194 or e-mail: semnathist@renet.com

A Sincere Proud Seminole

Alan D. Emarthle

These cartoons were full page spreads. The following urls are copies of sections of it. The South Eastern Anti-Desecration League and the Tennessee American Indian Movement have written letters, both to the Sentinel and the Democrat, denouncing this horrible portrayal of Indigenous Peoples and urge all to do the same. Mike Sims TNAIM SEAL.

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