Re: Andy Rooney's Racism re: Natives

Jim May (jim_may@macgate.csuchico.edu)
Wed, 1 Apr 1992 09:33:36 U

I must disagree with Peshewegunzh's view that Andy Rooney's comments are
"certainly not...racist". For example Rooney refers to Indians as "savages 500
years ago". He also says "the impact of their culture on the world has been
slight", "there's no memorable Indian music", "their totem poles do not rank
with the statuary of Greece and there's no Indian art", and "their genius was
for living free in a wild state". If these aren't racism then the term has
lost all meaning.

I'm just as concerned as Peshewegunzh with going overboard on being politically
correct (although pc's are much concerned with real Indian rights and tribal
sovereignty, are they). I also rather enjoyed Rooney until now (with a few
exceptions) even though I thought 60 minuntes and CBS, in general, had stronger
anti-Arab and other biases than other networks. I also like freedom of the
press. All these aside, racism is racism, and ignorance is no excuse. When it
is directed against me or my people I'll fight back!!