Hier eine kurze Zusammenfassung des nachfolgenden emails, das vom American Indian Movement in Florida verschickt wurde:

Dem AIM Büro in Florida kam zu Ohren, daß eine Lehrerin an einer Grundschule in Florida ihren Schülern das Wort "Squaw" als korrekte Bezeichnung für indianische Frauen beibringt.
Das AIM macht die Lehrerin darauf aufmerksam, daß es sich bei diesem Wort um eine abwertende und sexistische Bezeichnung handelt, die in ihrer ursprünglichen Bedeutung in der Sprache der Mohawk ein Wort für die weiblichen Genitalien ist. Man bat sie in Zukunft den Kindern beizubringen, daß dieses Wort eine Beleidigung darstellt, wie etwa das Wort "Nigger".

Die Lehrerin antwortete, daß sie den Kindern auch weiterhin das Wort "Squaw" als korrekte Bezeichnung für indianische Frauen beibringen wird, da sie in den USA hierfür nicht kritisiert wird. Außerdem würde dieses Wort seit zweihundert Jahren verwendet und käme auch in preisgekrönten Büchern vor.
Darüber hinaus würde sie ab sofort für keine indianische Einrichtung, wie z.B. das Oglala Lakota College mehr spenden. Wenn die Indianer beleidigt wären, wenn man dieses Wort benutzt, dann verdienten sie es nicht, Spenden zu erhalten....

ORIGINALNACHRICHT:

From: Aimfl@aol.com
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 10:35:58 EST

Greetings:

The American Indian Movement of Florida learned last month that a teacher at TYRONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Saint Petersburg was teaching her students that the word "Squaw" is an appropriate term to describe American Indian women.

I sent a letter  to Mrs. Jacobs and Tyrone Elementary School explaining that the word is a racially demeaning and derogatory as well as sexually demeaning term for American Indian woman both in its usage and in its origins in Mohawk in which it refers to female genitalia. I included the Oyate teaching guide and its "Teaching Respect for American Indians" as a guide and asked that the teacher refrain from using the word "squaw" in the future and teach the 5th grade class that the word is offensive (similar to "n++ger" etc.).

On January 5th, 2000 I received a response from Mrs. Jacobs informing Florida AIM of the following:

*- She will continue to teach the word squaw a an appropriate term for American Indians because she will not be censored in America

*- She believes we are simply being politically incorrect as the word has been used for two centuries and further it appears in award winning books (didn't "Mein Kampf" win awards?).

*- Because we asked her to stop using the word she will no longer donate to any American Indian charity (she cited NMAI, Oglala Lakota College, American Indian College Fund, and Saint Josephs) because if Indian people are offended by the use of the word squaw they don't deserve her money.

As this lady is WILLFULLY teaching students to use a racially demeaning, derogatory and offensive term for American Indian people we ask the following:

1.) WE ASK ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL TO CONTACT THE PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT AT (727) 586-1818 or email - super@pinellas.kl2.fl.us and board@pinellas.kl2.fl.us and DEMAND THAT MRS. JACOBS AT TYRONE ELEMENTARY BE TERMINATED FROM EMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY. FURTHER DEMAND THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HALT TEACHING RACIALLY OFFENSIVE AND DEMEANING TERMS AS APPROPRIATE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS.

2.) WE ASK ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO DOANTE ANY AMOUTN TO

OGLALA LAKOTA COLLEGE

AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND

and other American Indian tax exempt non-profits and inform Mrs. Jacobs at 1038 39th Ave N Saint Petersburg, FL 33703 that you have made a donation to these native organizations out of goodwill and honest support for Native peoples rather than because they played "Tonto" as she appears to want Native people to do.

Thank you

Sheridan Murphy