It was time...

FINALLY!

Even from 1,300 miles away, I had to smile when I heard the Chief finally would be retired. But surprisingly, even to me, I wasn't all that elated.

Yes, I'm overwhelmingly glad that the ol' UI is finally being dragged into the 20th century, kicking and screaming (no, not the 21st, they're not there yet). It's time they acknowledged, no matter how haltingly, that they have been participating in institutional racism for only 81 years.

But at the same time, I felt empathy (not pity) for the Cheef's supporters. They are losing something that they treasure, that they are very very close and connected to. I'm sorry for that folks. I've lost things, too. I know it hurts. Go ahead, shout, scream, curse, cry if you want. That's part of the grieving process.

But, at the same time, it was well past time to admit that the continued portrayal of a Native American in that stereotyped, Boy Scout-ed and Hollywood-ized and yes, offensive manner was nothing more than a racist event.

Deny if you want, but deep down you know it was racist.

It was wrong.

It had to go.

Not because the NCAA said so. Not because some white protesters said so. Not because I said so.

Because it was wrong.

It was offensive.

It demeaned a race of people - a race of Americans - who deserve better than that.

Folks, simply, it is not right to demean ANY race of people. To demean one is to demean us all.

So I'm completely glad the UI's halftime minstrel is going to be gone very very soon.

And I'm not even gonna say it's about time.

Because it's about 80 years past 'about time.'

And so it goes.