I call myself Indian, and I’d be angry if Kansas City renamed the Chiefs or Arrowhead | Opinion
Not offensive
Regarding the push to rename the Chiefs and Arrowhead Stadium, I would like to offer a different view. As members of the Cheyenne River Agency Sioux tribe, my family and I all see these movements as a further attempt at Native American genocide — this time, cultural genocide.
Team names such as Chiefs or Braves stand for the strong and courageous leadership within the Native tribes that fought so valiantly to protect their lands. Doing away with symbols such as the “Arrowhead Chop” also would contribute to this erasure of our culture, making it even more convenient for the rest of America to forget how Natives were brutally invaded, murdered, forced on death marches, imprisoned and finally sent to reservations.
When the Land O’Lakes dairy co-op removed the Native woman from its butter packaging, the joke among our community was, “So typical. They removed the Indian and kept the land.” (By the way, we all still refer to ourselves as Indians. Go to any powwow and that’s what you’ll hear.)
I’m not even a football fan, but I would be saddened, even outraged, if the team ever caves and changes its name.
- P.J. Loy, Overland Park
Zap! Zap!
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Joe Biden for allegedly delaying the destruction of the alleged Chinese spy balloon (until it was safe to proceed), (Feb. 7, 2A, “China accuses US of indiscriminate use of force over balloon”) tweeting that “President Trump would have never tolerated this.”
Might it be possible, Congresswoman Greene, that Biden was waiting for it to get out of the way of the giant Jewish space lasers that you suggested were the cause of the 2018 western U.S. fires?
- John Taylor, Kansas City
Voters thwarted
The Feb. 3 story “House passes bill to make it harder to change constitution,” about GOP state representatives attempting to force amendments to get 60% of the vote instead of a simple majority, is another scare to those of us who like to think our votes count. It’s also yet another threat to democracy.
Why are Republicans in Jefferson City so scared of letting our votes count? And what is it about the democratic process that causes them to stack the deck?
- Paul Budd, Sugar Creek
Basic needs
Period poverty is a quiet but active crisis in our community. According to the State of the Period 2021 survey from 501(c)(3) nonprofit Period. Inc., 1 in 4 teens have missed school because of a lack of access to period products, while 1 in 4 women struggle to purchase these items, forcing them to improvise or miss work.
Last year, we started Equity. Period. with the goal of providing free products in the bathrooms at our Notre Dame de Sion High School. Having reached that goal, we now assist other schools and support girls who have trouble receiving necessary products. We have also supported Free Hot Soup, KC Welcome Alliance and Giving the Basics, gifting more than 12,000 feminine products so far.
Still, we know this isn’t enough. Last week, with the help of Kansas Appleseed, we met with Gov. Laura Kelly to support her efforts to “ax the tax” on feminine products, diapers and groceries. These basic human necessities are increasing in price to the point where they’re cost prohibitive for many.
Kansas, we are better than this. Please support the women in your life — with dignity and affordable care and nutrition. Please reach out to your representatives in support of this bill.
- Becca Houlehan and Izzy Zschoche, Leawood, Prairie Village
Gutless choice
Was Leonard Taylor supposed to prove his innocence? If new evidence had been considered at his trial, there might have been reasonable doubt as to his guilt and he might not have been convicted in the first place. But now Missouri has executed him, and it is too late to know whether justice was served.
Anyone who can’t admit he or she has made a mistake — including prosecutors — is a coward. Not reviewing this case was an act of cowardice.
- Victor Tyler, Leawood
Just action?
Honestly, Gov. Mike Parson, you can always preside over putting someone to death. Who are you trying to please here: some constituent or your sheriff mentality?
- John Lancaster, Plattsburg
This story was originally published February 9, 2023 at 8:00 AM.