Florida State University has a unique relationship with the Seminole tribe that allows it to use certain imagery at athletic events. A vote on Tuesday by the Florida State student government will aim to keep the use of that imagery under their strict control in an effort to not offend Native Americans.
All Native American headdresses will be banned from Florida State athletic events after a resolution was passed by a vote of 27-4 with five abstaining votes.
“I believe the intentions are genuine, and in the best interest in the Seminole Tribe of Florida, I have a great concern for the fact that this could impede on student’s first amendment rights,” an anonymous former student government official said to FSU News. “There’s nothing in national or state legislation that restricts an individual’s right to restrict clothing or material, and I believe there are certain consequences associated with the bill that could impede on student’s first amendment rights and could introduce trouble for the university itself.”
Considering the headdresses typically worn by fans are not reminiscent to those worn traditionally by members of the Seminole tribe, perhaps there is no gray area. The headdress-wearing can be seen as offensive to Native Americans, and removing that from being a possibility is a smart way to go. The Seminole tribe brought the issue to the university leaders, and they have acted responsibly and accordingly upon hearing those concerns. Some people might be able to learn a lesson from this. A violation of this new resolution will be considered a violation of the university’s student code of conduct.
Meanwhile up north, the University of Illinois is now on the search for a brand new mascot to identify with the school nearly a decade after retiring their Chief Illiniwek mascot. Illinois was one of many schools opting to remove any Native American references from its athletics programs and university as the NCAA pressured institutions to do so. Florida State was a rare exemption given its support and relationship with the Seminole tribe. Keeping that relationship as solid as possible is a wise move by the Florida State student government.
[FSU News]
