Just so we’re all 100% clear, let’s list some facts:
UIUC Professor Jay Rosenstein is one of the most important activist/filmmakers in the world, creating award-winning documentaries about issues surrounding civil and constitutional rights in America.
UIUC Professor Jay Rosenstein respects the concept of dissent, can intellectually manage it, and has forever engaged in coherent and thoughtful debate about the issues surrounding “The Chief.” He has, on multiple occasions, attempted to discuss the topic with supporters of “The Chief.” His work is comprehensive, and there is a reason he was awarded both an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award. It wasn’t by accident.
The Native American House on campus, comprised of actual card carrying members of actual Native American tribes, has consistently, and loudly, proclaimed their dissent towards the “Honor The Chief Society”, which promotes a modern day minstrel show, and that represents Native Americans in harmful and degrading ways.
When The News-Gazette publishes mugshots, and reporters like Mary Schenk use one-sided accounts about events that will affect the livelihood and safety of people in this community, they create an imbalanced and dangerous space for people who are, by law, innocent until proven guilty. The people who manage the editorial at the 150 year old daily newspaper know this, and continue to showcase their cowardice in this way, despite outcries from the community to end the practice.
UIUC Professor Jay Rosenstein WAS NOT charged with a crime at State Farm Center last night. He was arrested, and released, and was not charged with any crime. Those are the FACTS.
The photo above is of Jay Rosenstein. This is the one you should be looking at, not the one from the county jail, which is not representative of him or of his work or his importance to this community and to this world.
That is all.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this post erroneously claimed that Mr. Rosenstein “HAD NOT committed a crime” and was subsequently changed to “WAS NOT charged with a crime.” Smile Politely regrets the error.