Although freedom of expression is a right granted to any United States citizen, and consequently, any student at the University, we should place an equal amount of value on sensitivity toward different cultures.

Recently, an indigenous student posted a letter to the University detailing her struggle with feeling disrespected by the presence of Chief Illiniwek on campus and by the merchandise students choose to wear that sport the Chief. 

Students who are offended by these representations should not be written off as emotional or attention-seeking.

We should take letters such as these as opportunities to look deeper into the issues surrounding a given controversy.

I am not trying to say that we can, or even should, ban the use of merchandise featuring images of the Chief because this would only be an artificial solution. Besides, silencing people or covering up a problem doesn’t solve any issues of cultural insensitivity nor does it prove that people are more educated and choosing to act on their new-found awareness.

Forcing individuals to stop expressing themselves, by taking away the right to wear a T-shirt for example, doesn’t mean they have had a change of heart; it just applies a Band-Aid to the problem.

But at the same time, students shouldn’t use freedom of expression as an excuse to ignore the potential offense that can result from a representation of Native American culture being paraded around campus. Students should be sensitive to the situation and feelings of others who identify with that culture.

I realize that students here don’t intend to mock the Chief, and many actually hold respect for the former mascot. But that doesn’t mean all Native Americans have offered up their culture to be a symbol of the University — even if some are OK with it.

Just because the Chief, and Chief supporters, don’t explicitly have bad intentions, an individual’s sense of cultural exploitation is reason enough to reconsider how we choose to represent and support the Chief.

People should consider who they could hurt before they participate in behavior that could be culturally insensitive, that is done solely as a means of “expressing themselves.”

Take a second to rethink any activities you support or partake in that could be culturally insensitive and consider the ramifications of continuing to participate in them. 

Think about how you would feel if you were not taken seriously in a similar situation, and the emotional and spiritual pain you’d experience because of the way your culture was popularly represented on campus. If you are OK with that, then by all means go ahead and dawn your Chief apparel, but at least think about it before claiming that your freedom of expression is being trifled with.

To foster an inclusive environment we need to realize that even if some form of expression is not meant to be offensive, it can still offend people from said culture just by virtue of representing their background in a way that might not be appropriate.

Recently, celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens have made the bindi, a dot traditionally worn on Hindu women’s foreheads that has religious and cultural connotations, a trendy new fashion accessory.

Similar to supporters of the Chief at the University, most celebrities and other women who wear bindis as an expression of fashion don’t mean any harm. However, many Hindu people view this as an offensive, culturally inappropriate usage of the bindi, as Westerners tend to utilize the bindi casually, as an exotic mark of beauty. In reality, it is meant to symbolize certain aspects of Hindu culture and religion.

Yes, freedom of speech and expression should never be inhibited; however, it is important for all of us to take into account that certain cultural practices and representations hold significance to some, and it is offensive when other people make light of their traditions by using them for the benefit of their personal expressions.

Although it is difficult to reconcile freedom of speech with cultural sensitivity, we all need to think of our actions from another person’s point of view and try to put ourselves in their shoes. 

Even if we can’t relate personally, we should still respect the fact that some take rightful offense to misrepresentations of their culture.

Taking cultural sensitivity into consideration doesn’t stifle anybody’s voice; it just opens the door for dialogue between different people.

Sehar is a junior in LAS. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Nimatod.