Are you sick-and-tired of hearing the endless arguments over the Marquette athletic nickname here in the Viewpoint section? Are you tired of taking half-hour long online surveys that don't mean anything? If so, keep reading and I promise to accomplish what this forum has yet to do: Establish a real viewpoint on the debate.

From the time the news first surfaced about the proposed nickname change, everyone has been up in arms (perhaps spears?) over the possible degradation of the American Indian culture that is prevalent in the Midwest area. Some people say that the name "Warrior" connotes something evil and inhumane about American Indians, while others argue that it champions the heart and soul of the population. Well, I am here to say that you are both right and give you all a reason to stop bantering and shut the hell up for a minute.

Does the word Warrior have a negative connotation? YES! Does the word Warrior have positive connotation? YES!

But hey, wait a second. What gives a word a certain connotation? Hmmm, could it be context? All of you are arguing about this word from the context of it relating to the American Indian culture. This seems interesting so far, huh? Keep reading.

I am going to end the endless back-and-forth debate over this issue right now. We are a Catholic/Jesuit institution that champions the ideals of the Church, correct? OK, you can argue that one, but humor me and pretend we are for a second.

Now, has the Catholic Church, in its 2000 year history ever had any warriors of its cause? Think carefully now! Oh, could it be the Jesuits themselves? Wow! Do I mean to say that the Catholic Church has had its very own Warriors all this time and we have been wasting breath talking about American Indians? In the name of Jesus Christ, yes! The Jesuits championed the Church's cause against Protestantism many eons ago, and I'm sure did some other nice things too. What better way to honor Marquette University and its athletic teams than to choose a nickname that has deep roots in the history of the institution and is one of the reasons why it is surviving?

Now let's see, if we take the word "Warrior" in the context of "Warriors for Christ" it totally eliminates the entire debate you have all been having for the past several months. Well, sorry to rock your world, but someone had to do it. Just call me (insert name of revolutionary thinker of choice here).

Committees have been formed and have been meeting in closed rooms, most likely without windows, to discuss this issue. Every time they come to no conclusion, and no change is made. (Sound familiar? Hint: The Church). I would move to say that these people know that the debate will go nowhere because of the controversy elicited from the argument posited from the American Indian context. I'm certain they enjoy going back and forth, wasting time (and Viewpoint space). Perhaps what I've said might change something (God abiding of course).

So where do we go from here? For starters, let's stop being so myopic and realize that the word Warrior does not have to be associated with American Indains. Shame on you all for believing that in the first place. Maybe then we can actually have an intelligent discussion on whether or not a name change would be beneficial. Oh, and by "we" I meant not you, but those committees I talked about earlier that meet in those windowless rooms. If I wouldn't get in trouble for nailing this to the doors of Gesu, I would. Feel free to do so yourself though. Thanks. Go Marquette (Jesuit) Warriors (for Christ)!

Ryan McAbee is a senior business major.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Jan. 18 2005.

Click here to comment on this viewpoint on the Tribune Forum.