"In Name Only"
Chief Master Sergeants Group
Racial Exploitation by the United States
Air Force
"The CMSgt grade as a whole is desecrating, trivializing, and mocking Native American religion and religious leaders with their adoption of an Indian Chief as their symbol. This practice... causes our esteem great damage when we see our great spiritual leaders reduced to the role of mascot by people romanticizing our race. It fits the Air Force definition of racism listed in the discrimination policy so signed by Hon. Sheila Widnall, Gen Ron Fogleman and MajGen Boles dated 28 February 1995:
"'Any attitude or action of a person or institutional structure which subordinates a person or group because of race.'
"We sir, have been subordinated to the role of mascot vice human being.
"American Indian culture, religion, geography and day-to-day living are irrevocably tied. In fact, they are one and the same. The religion, although recognized by the United States and the Armed Forces, is largely misunderstood. Not all American Indian religions, for instance, use peyote or perform ritual rain dances. All have the existence of deep respect for elders, chiefs and many are matriarchal in structure—for lack of a better term.
"The Chief is an integral part of the religion. Chiefs are selected in prayerful and solemn ceremonies. The works of a lifetime are considered. The guidance of the Great Spirit, the one creator of us all, is a prime factor. There is never a test nor a promotion board to subjectively evaluate community service, education or the like. The Chief becomes a major player in all things sacred to us. Yes, they are sought out for guidance and mentoring, yes they share many of the same creeds the CMSgt rank aspires too, with one key difference, this is our religion and our way of life."
"To see our religion, the memory of those still held in high esteem, and our current chiefs reduced to being a mascot by society's military is hurtful and reminds us that we are conquered by the same military and are still considered less than human. Therefore, our religion is to be mocked by making a mascot out of our spiritual leaders. It reminds us that the dominant society views us as noble savages and Indian princesses.
"Knowingly or not the CMSgts group by selecting an Indian Head as their mascot and identifying symbol are mocking our religion and way of life. They are reducing our religion to nothing more than a romantic fantasy." *
Help the CMSgts group return honor to
American Indian Peoples and their own rank.
Click on the image below to find out how.E-mail - DINEH2@aol.com
* Excerpts from a 2000 letter to General Michael E. Ryan, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force.
(Editor's note: Due to the sensitive nature of this issue the author's name has been withheld)
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