Two Champaign men spoke to Eastern students, faculty and local residents Wednesday in opposition of the University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek mascot.

The presentation was to be held in the Kansas Room of the University Union, but was moved to the Charleston/Mattoon room to accommodate the larger-than-expected crowd.

Tom Leonard, a Native American and an Eastern employee, introduced the presentation and the two speakers, Ben Crew and Dean Cook.

Crew spoke first and told a “personal story” about how the mascot and the stereotype it represents affected him and his family.

Crew and his wife have an adopted son who is a Native American and said they have tried to embrace his culture and learn as much as possible about it. As his son learned more about his heritage, Crew said he ran into trouble in the Champaign school district.

Crew said his son was attacked by teachers at Edison Middle School in Champaign and was eventually kicked out of the school for objecting to the way his culture was portrayed.

Crew said that he feels the Illiniwek mascot and the imagery associated with it help to perpetuate the cartoonish stereotyping of Native Americans. Crew added that the dance that the chief performs at halftime of games is especially offensive because dancing is a form of prayer to Native Americans and should not be presented as entertainment.

Crew described how his son earned his first eagle feathers for protesting the use of Native American imagery at an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

“It’s dangerous,” Crew said. “I’ve been assaulted. I’ve watched my friends get beer poured on their heads, watched them get pushed around.”

While Crew expressed his disdain at the stereotyping of Native Americans, he acknowledged that every aspect of society is affected by the same problem.

“We stereotype people. We’ve got to stop that.”

Cook was arrested for allegedly making obscene gestures at fans who supported Chief Illiniwek while protesting the chief at an Illini women’s basketball game in January.

Cook said he was born in Champaign and thinks he may be 1/32 Cherokee. Cook spoke about the importance of imagery and said that it impacts everyone who sees it.

Cook said Native Americans exposed to these images are offended and made to feel somehow “less than human.” Non-Native Americans exposed to these images become misinformed about who Indians really are, Cook said.

Crew said he was surprised that a university would continue to use a mascot that offends so many people. He said that an institute of higher learning should stand for education, ethical responsibilities and diversity.

Cook explained that the U of I has offered some compromises, including adding Native American programs and bringing in Native American administrators. Cook likens these offers to a ransom and said they (the U of I) hold out these programs and say that if they can keep their mascot, we can have our classes.

Crew expressed hope that someday people will not have to face racism and bigotry and recommended that people seek out and try to understand Native Americans.

Cook agreed and added, “This isn’t about Native American issues; it’s about human issues, human rights and civil rights.”

Contentious points were raised by audience members who wanted to keep the chief mascot.

Leonard said he hoped the questions raised by supporters of the mascot helped to bring the issues into clearer focus.

“I think (the discussion) went very well,” Leonard said. “But sometimes if your mind is dead set on one thing, you’re not going to hear anyone else’s opinion.”

One pro-Chief Illiniwek audience member who raised opposing points to the panel refused to comment after the discussion.

Bob Crew said he was pleased by the turnout for the presentation and that he thought it went well.

“I think there were a lot of people who listened,” Crew said.