Campaign against BYU Student's Racist Remarks

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We the undersigned individuals petition to request that the unidentified Brigham Young University Fan and/or Brigham Young University acknowledge the discriminatory and racial act exhibited by this fan in these photos (http://coalitiontoprotect.blogspot.com/2008/04/byu-images.html). This act occurred when the University of Utah Utes Girls Volleyball team played the Brigham Young University Cougars at Brigham Young University. We hope that the University will publicly apologize to Indigenous students on both their campus and on the University of Utahs campus. In fact we respectfully request that Brigham Young University implement cultural sensitivity training for their fans as both references made in this photo are highly sensitive issues for many Indigenous people today. This is especially true for the Cherokee people who were forcefully removed from their homelands in what is now called The Trail of Tears and for the Ute people who were relocated in order to keep peace between them and the Mormon people living in this area.

111 Signatures

  • Jeremiah Chin
  • Jessica Solyom
  • Leo Leckie
    • Comments
    • Sensitivity training should be provided to schools choosing to use such names as well.
  • Jaymes Myers
    • Comments
    • While I am in outrage over this particular students' expression of hatred, I hope this serves as an important opportunity to discuss how both higher education institutions (BYU AND the University of Utah) support, protect, and facilitate expressions of hatred and bigotry.
  • Gwendolyn Spotted Elk
    • Comments
    • Shame on Utah and BYU. I am ashamed to be associated with both.
  • Deborah Callister
    • Comments
    • I believe the student and others, who might think such oppressive and racist messages are "OK," could benefit tremendously through cultural sensitivity training! Proactive training and an apology from the student/BYU is in order..
  • Christine Wade
  • Peter Mudrow
    • Comments
    • I can't believe how ignorant and uneducated people are.
  • Albert Page Tinhorn
    • Comments
    • A long time ago I heard there were scriptures which said if Native Americans (Lamanites?) were rightous they could turn White. Back then, Blacks were not allowed to participate in certain church rituals. Doctrines which promoted these events were eventually changed to make the church more inclusive in nature. I am wondering if incidents which display racist remarks is not marking a trend toward past exclusiveness. Additionally, there are some Native Americans who like to see Utah include Days of 46 Celebrations right along side with the Days of 47 celebrations. Thank you for letting me make some comments.
  • Sundy Watanabe
  • Michelle Hosp
  • John Hosp
  • Joel Arvizo, M.Ed, CHES
  • Yvette Sonia Gonzalez
    • Comments
    • How shameful!
  • Kent Ma
  • Elizabeth Leckie
  • Victoria Morales
    • Comments
    • this is unacceptable, and something must be done immediately!
  • Richard Diaz
  • Aly Sosa
    • Comments
    • This ill-bred, boorish behavior needs to be rectified!
  • Liliana Rios
  • Jorge Damian Pozo
  • Ivette Pons
  • Jose Vargas
  • Xiomara Vargas, Salt Lake City, UT
  • Sana Muller
    • Comments
    • As a student here at the U of U and also an advocate for social justice, I am outright appalled at the pictures of your student with her sign(s). I hope that you take action and educate your students about how hurtful and demeaning her words are.
  • Daniel, Melody,Tahne,Tai, Kineu, Giizhig Rutledge
    • Comments
    • Years ago I was shocked to see a college student in Wichita Kansas wearing a shirt with a mascot bear standing over a kneeling Native American with the caption "Utes go down" He seemed shocked that my First Nations family would be angered by it. You would expect much more logic from an institution of higher learning than this.
  • Angee Doan
    • Comments
    • If racist remarks and posters like that don't meet any repercussions it only reflects the judgement of the school and lack of critical thinking that a University should promote.
  • Mariana Ramiro
  • Eseta Schaaf
  • Natasha M Ball
    • Comments
    • As an alumni student of Brigham Young I am sad to say I am not shocked but I am appalled!
  • Justin Samoa
    • Comments
    • So how "Air headed" is this girl???
  • C Markle
  • Carmela Dee Willden
  • Marisela Garza
  • Jillian Hernandez
  • Sally tran
    • Comments
    • BYU needs to apologize and have a policy that punishes the student for her racist remarks, which are completely unacceptable. And to educate their students better on social justice.
  • Natalena Wilson
    • Comments
    • These remarks are incredibly offensive to me - I don't understand how one person can make flippant remarks about marginalizing other human beings without realizing the effect it will have.
  • Mina Raass-Dana
    • Comments
    • From the BYU site: "Brigham Young University seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives." This type of behavior does not reflect the ethos of BYU or as Christians what we would expect. Native Americans deserve respect, not mocking.
  • Regina Dezbah Martin
    • Comments
    • В
  • Brigham Martin
    • Comments
    • Ignorance and inconsideration are the two great causes of the ruin of mankind. - John Tillotson
  • Bridgett Peterson
    • Comments
    • It's sad that we have to tell people how not to be racist. What were they thinking when they wrote those?!
  • Ted Sharp
    • Comments
    • I'm just wanting aknowlegement for this racial injustice
  • Amber Jackson
  • Hannah Nam
    • Comments
    • I fully agree that a mandatory cultural sensitivity training should be the next order - not only for BYU but also for the U of U. Both schools could truly benefit from such education. I find these remarks quite hateful and offensive, but I want to believe that this girl truly had no idea what the implications of her words were.
  • Brittani Benally
    • Comments
    • Utterly ignorant and ridiculous.
  • Desiree Ball
    • Comments
    • This is a breach in BYU's honor code.
  • Karla
  • Heather J. Palmer
  • Jason Luttrell
    • Comments
    • Ridiculously and culturally insensitive, especially coming from "a selective" four-year institution.
  • Alison Young