TO: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ATHLETE YOU ARE EITHER WITH US, OR AGAINST US

Honor Indians Institute recently honored LeBron James for refusing to wear the racist Cleveland Indians cap at a recent playoff game in Cleveland. We also called upon him to join us in calling for education and hopefully change, leading to the elimination of Indian mascots. We now make that invitation to all African American athletes, especially those who are currently playing for teams that continue to perpetuate racial ignorance and stereotypes through the use of Indian mascots.

Why do I make this invitation? Because we, as individual Indians and Tribes, are invisible to the non-Indian people and institutions that continue to perpetuate the ignorance. We are either ignored, told to get over it, or go to counseling, or just shut up and be “honored.” I read an editorial yesterday that stated that to truly honor Indians, tribes should be consulted with, in order to change Indian mascot names. Also, just yesterday, I read an article where the Penobscot tribe is waiting for a response from the Cleveland Indians to the tribal government’s resolution calling for the team to get rid of the racist “Chief Wahoo” logo. The Penobscot tribe sent that resolution to the Cleveland Indians 7 YEARS AGO! The spokesman for the Cleveland Indians said that the team had no intention to address the tribe’s resolution. I am sure that they will rely on their fans to stick up for their position, and we will again get shouted down. However, they will at least listen to you!

We are not asking you to quit playing for your team, or call for a boycott of Indian team related apparel. Just tell people to listen, and maybe educate themselves about Indian tribes and members before they “honor” us with their racist Indian mascots. Tell the Cleveland Indians to, at the very least, give the Penobscot Tribal leaders the respect they deserve and sit down and meet with them. Just something to consider:

Would you be “honored” to play for the Cleveland Negroes?

Would you even consider putting on the jersey of the Washington Blackskins?

If you continue to say nothing, you are against us, and support with your tacit approval those that continue to ignore us and perpetuate racial ignorance and stereotypes. Please JOIN US!!!