Customer Reviews

Dancing at Halftime: Sports and the Controversy over American Indian Mascots

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For fans and foes of the cheif illiniwek controversy, this book is a must. Spindel takes the time to research the history of the Illini Indians, their culture and their demise. She has also researched the history of the University's symbol and presents and unbiased documentary of the origins. It's diffcult to read this book and not change your opinion on the issues. Well worth the time and money invested in reading this work.

This topic is extremely controvesial and Carol Swindel handles the topic very well. She takes time to present both sides of the issue including a history of both the Illini Indians and chief illiniwek. It's difficult to read this book and not be affected by both sides of the issue. I applaud Swindel for having the courage to write a comprehensive study of the use of racist mascots in America. A must read if you are a Big Ten or Illini fan.

An excellent analysis of the Indian mascot controversy in general and cheif illiniwek in particular. Very well researched and presented in an interesting and compelling manner.

I'm an alumna of the University of Illinois, and was never very comfortable with the concept of "Chief Illiniwek." But I had no idea the role that Indian sports mascots have had in obscuring and distorting both the history and current status of Native peoples. Spindel's book examines the unique nexus of the history of Native peoples, football, the Big Ten, land grant universities, anthropology, wild west shows and photography, among others. In a careful and quiet way, she weaves these areas together to explore why these "mascots" are so demeaning to us all.

During my high school unit on Native American history and culture last fall, I used the Illiniwek issue to show my students the subtleties of racism. I wish at the time I had Spindel's book to drive her best point home: that white America needs its Native American symbols to justify our presence here on this continent and to forget a significant part of our shameful history. We also refuse to acknowledge the issues present day Native Americans face because then we would have to face up to the crimes of our founders. That it why supporters of Chief Illiniwek refuse to listen to the very people they claim to honor.