Annapolis. USNA. Tecumseh, Tamamend, as Sideshow. MD.

 Annapolis, Maryland.  MD. Tecumseh.  Dignified, dedicated warrior, leader. Skilled opponent. 

Why turn him into a racist, gender-ridiculing cartoon? 

Annapolis. Academy humiliation of Tecumseh. Really Tamamend. Cultural-ethnic disconnect at the Naval Academy.

A walking tour of the Naval Academy soon arrives at the annually dolled up statue of Tecumseh at, yes, Tecumseh Court there. It turns out to be Tamamend, or Tamiment, instead of Tecumseh, but each is a venerable leader, revered in his time.  At this site, they are treated as one and the same, see http://www.dcmemorials.com/index_indiv0003250.htm/.  It is disquieting. The paint job, apart from the female costume imposed, is apparently inspired by the figurehead of the American Privateer vessel, the General Armstrong, from a battle in the War of 1812 in the Azores, see http://www.usni.org/magazines/navalhistory/2014-03/daring-defense-azores/.  The figurehead is in the Naval Academy Museum Collection USNA 1922.001.0075:

Figurehead, War of 1812 American privateer, The General Armstron, USNA Museum, Annapolis

1.  First, Tecumseh.  As an opponent warrior, who lost, does he nonetheless deserve this? Is it really all good fun, or is there an element of making the powerless more so?

Tecumseh, Shawnee chief 1768-1813, from Ohio area, opposed the European white settlements expanding past the Appalachian mountains.  He  worked to establish an effective confederation of tribes to resist, and joined the British in the War of 1812 against the United States. Other tribal leaders were turning to religious inspiration to rally more of their people to defend against the usurper whites. Surprising?  No.  As with Christians, and Muslims, and probably many other religious groups seeking autonomy or control of others, he said, "The Great Spirit above has appointed this place for us, on which to light our fires, and here we will remain. As to boundaries, the Great Spirit above knows no boundaries, nor will his red people acknowledge any.” See http://www.warof1812.ca/tecumseh.htm He died in that war, at the Battle of the Thames in Canada, 1813.  http://www.biography.com/people/tecumseh-9503607/

Tecumseh.  His life was dedicated to serious causes, issues with us today, his implementation of strategy was thorough, skillful.  This warrior deserves respect.  See him at the Naval Academy. What had been a fine statue of Tecumseh, arrows at his back, a dignified visage, has become a caricature, cause for jokes and painted costumery to the raucous jeers of the ignorant. See his other masquerades at google images, a search for Annappolis Tecumseh statue.  It has become an officially sanctioned joke.  Paint it up and get good grades?  That's a zero.  Next?  

Surely the public relations people at the Academy might see a contemporary problem here. Yet, see the  Public Affairs Office (et tu?)) at the Academy ha-ha-ing it at http://www.usna.edu/PAO/faq_pages/Tecumseh.php/ 

2.  What if this is not Tecumseh. Does it make a difference if the Native American is somebody with less gravitas. 

This indeed is not Tecumseh, but the tale gets no better for it. The caricature is of another, with equal or more gravitas.  Meet Tamamend, chief of the Lenni Lenape; and that that identification had been made back in 1914.  Can't tell the good folks at home, though.  Too embarrassing.  Truth be damned.  See Sarasota Herald-Tribune (May 6, 1971) news/  The original statue, has always been Tamamend, and is at the Smithsonian, says the article.

• At this Baltimore Sun 11/28/2005 article, however, with a woman painting him up, he is identified as Tamamend. See http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/sun-magazine/bal-statue-of-tecumseh-at-us-naval-academy-20130430,0,1345672.photo/  

3.   Is the derision acceptable if Tamamend is less admirable so we excuse it because it is not Tecumseh?  No.  

Use a goat instead of a venerable minority leader.  No derision is ever acceptable where the undercurrent of powerlessness, inferiority, speaks loud and controls.  If the Navy must deride somebody, do a Goat, so it is clear nobody intends to insult anyone.

Goat, ready for jokes instead of Tecumseh-Tamamend. Apply at Annapolis.

I can get you the address of this goat, to use instead of Tecumseh.

So:  Tamamend.  Tamamend  was a dignified, honorable leader of his people.  Look up TAMAMEND: Chief, Leni Lenape tribe, 1628-1698, Pennsylvania area See.https://americancoloniesdana.wikispaces.com/Famous+People+-+Middle+Colonies/  

The name means affable, or easy to talk to, according to that site.  Traits:  include loyalty, friendship to colonists. Knew William Penn and both respected each other. Tamamend sold (!) land to the colonists and got back "guns, axes, blankets, knives, matchcoats and other supplies."  Did that shock the conscience of anyone? Loved peace. Famous words, "We will live in peace with William Penn and his children as long as the creeks and rivers run, and as long as the stars and moon endure."  Seen as wise by his people.

• But was Tamament Wise?  Not in ways he had to be faced with early capitalist exploiters. The tribes had never had to deal with colonists before.  Out-bid, out-negotiated, no meeting of minds at all, exploitation start to finish.  We look from our property-worship perspective at the naivete of the Native Americans.  
• But the site notes they thought they were sharing land, no concept of actually selling or even owning land.  Land could "belong" to a tribe and still be shared with others.  Shall we give it back, in penance?

His territory:  Philadelphians will recognize his people's farming grounds, along Neshaminy Creek. Visit Neshaminy Mall sometime.  Is the Shackamaxon Country Club near the old Shackamaxon as well?

• More Tecumseh:  Facebook jokes continue with collage of photos at https://www.facebook.com/usnamuseum/posts/839940342689928

4.  Finish your walking tour of the Academy at the Museum and -- ye gods, what is this.  Tecumseh -Tamamend again? Wasn't once enough? Or is this someone else entirely.  No idea.  Jesus had a beard, we are told.  Or is this a centurion? With what at his chest?  Research continues.

 

5.  In parting.  Is this institutional sideshow, that everybody seems to approve, really still ok?  Are we to be impressed with the sensitivity of our military, or is that just lame.  If they are to represent the interests of a nation, however, lame is not good enough.  No.  Institutional derision of others' prominent historical figures is not ok.

•  Ask:  What is "off" here?  Just transgender and beard the dude up anyway for jokes and better grades, we are told ha ha.  But the undercurrent is derision.  You could do the same to George Washington, for example, and it might be funny.  Do it to a minority respected leader, and it is not so much. Doll up Susan B. Anthony and the message is different as well. 
•  Power and powerlessness make the difference.  This instance is a power play.  Ask a Native American. There are 17 Native American cadets in the class of 2017, some 1.4%.  Poll them.  Do they think this is hilarious? See cadet class demographics at http://paulryan.house.gov/uploadedfiles/usafa_class_of_2017.pdf

Naval Academy Tecumseh look-alike: Who is infringed?