I guess you just can't teach racial sensitivity.
The Cherokee Nation responded:
http://www.newson6.com/...
He said, "It's particularly disappointing this unfortunate display happened the same weekend as Cherokee National Holiday, when we celebrate our resilience and ability to adapt and survive unimaginable circumstances. For months, we've also commemorated the 175th anniversary of the conclusion of the Trail of Tears. Since these students clearly don't understand the gravity of these events, this should be viewed as a teaching moment for these young people. We wish them well and hope they seek a more enlightened perspective."
It is easy, I suppose for white privilege to kick in - if it doesn't impact me, then it just doesn't matter or you should get over it. The Native American community had another plan for the weekend, an important celebration of their heritage.
http://www.newson6.com/...
"The annual Cherokee National Holiday is a weekend celebration of our tribe's history, heritage and hospitality, and it's a true homecoming for Cherokee citizens. We expect another record crowd of friends, family and visitors again this year," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker.
"This 62nd annual holiday is especially significant because we will commemorate the 175th anniversary of the end of the Trail of Tears. Our ancestors never gave up, and today the Cherokee Nation is stronger than at any time in our history. That's something for all to be proud of and to celebrate."
This weekend for them is a chance to share their history with the world. Sharing this history not just with other Oklahomans but with people who travel nationwide is important to their community to keep their place in history alive and meaningful.
But, then I suppose for the college students who thought it was fun to poke at the Florida State Seminoles by invoking that they should also walk the trail of tears it seems.. no comment.
5:11 PM PT: Update
I give in to sin in the comments has shared the student apology:
"My name is Austin Buchanan. I am a junior at Oklahoma State University, having transferred last spring. Today was my first football game as an OSU Cowboy, so I am obviously new to OSU's game-day traditions. In my zeal to support the OSU Cowboys in their season opener against the Florida State Seminoles in Dallas today, my friends and I made a banner. I appeared in a picture with that banner, which I shared via my Twitter account. Included on our banner was a hashtag insensitively referencing the Trail of Tears. The Twitter post and picture were retweeted and shared by many, eventually going viral.
Though we did not set out to hurt or offend anyone when we made our banner, I see that it did just that. Referencing the Trail of Tears in such a flippant and disrespectful manner was insensitive and wrong, and I make no defense for our having had such a lapse in judgment. I apologize for our mistake. I am truly sorry.
To all Native Americans: I hope you can and will forgive me for diminishing a part of your history that should never be made light of. I pledge that I will invest diligent study reacquainting myself with the horrors of Trail of Tears so I don't repeat the mistake I made today.
http://www.newson6.com/...