Professional sports are riddled with teams who use team names, logos, or mascots dealing with Native Americans. While some don't mind, there are many who consider this offensive. There is a long tradition of naming teams after groups of warriors who fought valiantly but ultimately lost. The Vikings, Titans, Trojans and Spartans are prime examples; my high school team name was the Rebels, and one could make a case for any team named for pirates. Who knows, someday hundreds of years in the future, in a society where our recent history is reduced to myth, there might be a sports team called the N@zis.
But there is a problem with using Native Americans as a mascot/team name/logo. They're still around. They are a culture whose way of life was disrupted by "civilization." Many were massacred, and they were driven from their homes to lands westward, only to be forced out again. This is a wrong that cannot be undone, but the least we could do is respect their wishes to not be used as kitschy mascots. I realize change will always create discord - many people fought the Bullets' name change to the non-violent Wizards. But the change was made, and people have accepted the Wizards (though it's still a stupid name). The same will happen if other teams decide to make a change. So here's how I suggest the various Native American-themed teams make themselves over so as not to be offensive.
The Atlanta Braves
The least offensive, as far as team names go. I wouldn't be offended if someone referred to me as a "Brave." Really, all they'd have to do is get rid of the Tomahawk Chop, because I imagine it's humiliating for a Native American to see a bunch of white people making a mockery of tribal chants. It's like an African-American watching Bill Shatner doing a cover of Run DMC. The next step up for the Braves would be to take the tomahawk out of their logo. "Braves" doesn't necessarily mean anything Native American-related in itself, it could be like the Oakland Athletics - you take an adjective and put an S on the end and you've got a plural noun! (other possible team names in the same vein: the Talenteds, the Strongs, the Speedys.) Or they could slightly modify the name if they wanted to go all-out - the Bravery or the Brave, following the non-plural-noun trend.
Chicago Blackhawks
An easy fix. Change it all to a military helicopter theme. Although I have to wonder why the Native American lobbies aren't asking the government to stop naming helicopters after them. Chinook, Apache, Black Hawk - Is there anything less appropriate than naming technological war machines after Native Americans?
Kansas City Chiefs
Another easy fix - use a law enforcement theme. Maybechange it to Sheriffs or Marshals - very appropriate to Kansas City. Bring back the Old West, I say. Except the Old West that was about fighting "the Injuns."
Cleveland Indians
There are some people that don't understand why "Indians" is such an offensive term for Native Americans. Simple, really. It's not an accurate term for them, and was given to them by their aggressors based on the misconception that said aggressors were in the Indies. There are many Native Americans who have embraced the term, but some others have just cause to find it offensive. And of course, there's the issue of Chief Wahoo, a ridiculous caricature. So what can the Indians do? Well, they could keep the team name and simply change it from a Native American theme to a Hindi theme. Maybe darken Chief Wahoo's skin, lose the feather, give him a Kurta to wear... yes, I'm kidding. Howabout changing it completely to something embracing Cleveland's place in the history of Rock & Roll? Maybe the Cleveland Comets after rock & roll pioneers Bill Haley & His Comets? Sure, they're from Pennsylvania, but the term for their musical style was coined by a Clevelander.
Washington Redskins
Will there be a different take from Dan about his home team? Hell no! This is the most offensive of them all! You might as well name a team the N------s! Furthermore, here are some lyrics from the fight song: "Scalp 'em, swamp 'em, we will take 'em big score / Read 'em, weep 'em, touchdown we want heap more." Wow. How horribly stereotypical. This name needs a change. The temporary logo change to a spear with a feather was a very small move in the right direction, but really, everything about this team except the colors needs to change. You could officially shorten the name to "The Skins," which doesn't really mean anything. Maybe it's referring to a pigskin. Fans could adjust to that easily. Keep the same colors, and use a W or an S embedded in a football for the logo.
I'd love to do some throwdowns about this if anyone disagrees with me. I'll be honest, I'm especially interested in seeing what awful bigoted things people have to say. I'm looking to stir some sh*t up. So don't hold back, tell me what you think.
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Comments (29) Add A Comment
I really wouldn't have a problem with any of those except for the Redskins. I am not sure if they should change it, but it is racist. Chief Wahoo (Indians logo) is also pretty racist. It's not like people are gonna start complaining about Notre Dame's mascot being racist because it depicts Irish as belligerent or as alcoholics. My high school used to have the Fighting Irish logo (ND got pissed and sued them for some reason even though it sends the most kids outside of South Bend to ND) and no one was complaining. The Redskins were founded back in the days when Thorpe got his medals taken away for being Indian. It was a racist time, but don't overlook the most racist nickname. A college's (I think it was Oklahoma A&M) nickname was the Savages. That takes the racist cake. Sorry for the super long comment.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
Amen. Some call it PC but I call it respect. If you think the Redskins is name depicting a proud football history, then walk down a street in the 9th ward and shout the word n----r and see what they thin of a similar term.
I think the practice has two roads taken; one by teams that use actual tribal names, i.e Illinois or FSU. Then you have the out right abominations, Washington D.C. or Cleveland. One should be changed and the others should be encourage to shy away from silly mascots and practices. I saw the same for all issues. The "Fighting Irish"? I know it could get real touchy and bland and may not be worth all of the fuss, but to say you don't understand why all the fuss is the real problem. Check the history.
Mei Ji Fei
Total Comments (74)
Here are ones that should be kept. Illinois Fighting Illini, Florida State Seminoles, North Dakota Fighting Sioux, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Indians (if they change the logo), Chicago Blackhawks. Get rid of the Redskins.
IrishR#1
Total Comments (8517)
see my blog: http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/23730
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
There's a reason I didn't get into colleges. Identity is much more of an issue for universities - if you graduated as a Seminole, to suddenly have the team no longer be the Seminoles would feel like you lost a piece of your identity. And if I were a member of a tribe, I think I would be honored to have a local academic institution name its team after my tribe. I'd still want to do away with silly war whoops and the like, but the name could stay.
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2071)
its a freaking sports name who gives a rats **** i mean i'm not indian but i don't see how they have any problem its not like we are burning the mascot or making fun of the name in any way
A* shizzle* BS
Pakistan, AZ
Total Comments (881)
I totally disagree, naming teams after Native Americans is a sign of respect. It's just a freakin' mascot. It's not like the were saying it's so easy a caveman could do it. It's not like i'm beating down the door of Notre Dame saying there racist for having an Irishman as there logo. Gimme a break.
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
A shizzle, Downey and maybe others, I mean this as friendly advice and not as an attack on you: do yourself a favor and read books about the White Europeans' history with native Americans, followed closely by the treatement of them by Americans in this nation's earliest days. I would hope after doing so you would come to regret your above comment. (the correlation between irishman and native Americans is a sad indicator of how far off some in America are on this topic by the way)
Great post DanTM..
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
The Fighting Irish is not offensive because America doesn't have an unfortunate history of massacring Irish people. How would it be received if there were a German soccer/fussball team named the Dachau Fighting Yiddish, or the Auschwitz Jews, or any number of anti-Semitic names?
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2071)
Don't change any of the team names. Your proposed solutions are just utterly ridiculous. If anyone's offended by a freakin sports team's name, I'd say: get your head on straight! It's not a matter of life and death, and if you want come across as a sane person, maybe everyone should stop pointing out these little insignificant issues and get busy on what really matters: killing George Bush and his entire administration, so that the world can become a better place where everyone has respect for one another instead of using 200-year-old stereotypes to create a problem where there isn't one.
pimpbot5000
Total Comments (96)
I know the history I'm part indian myself. A sports team name has nothing to do with history, it has to do with choosing a mascot that fans can rally around. My point is all this PC stuff has gone way too far, quit wearing your heart on your sleve. i know some native americans that love to watch the annual Cowboys vs. Redskins game, who do they root for, the Redskins. A team that they should be offended by. Whatever...
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
Some people in the US still having a problem with a white woman marrying a black man, now that's something that should be adressed, not whether or not the Redskins are offensive to native Americans.
WE ALL GOTTA **** EACH OTHER TILL WE'RE ALL THE SAME COLOR!
pimpbot5000
Total Comments (96)
We have a history in America of burning witches at the stake, did that prevent washington from naming there team the wizards?
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
And there was a time in this country, during the potato famine , that the irish were the most hated people especially in cities like New York and Boston. Should i be upset about the Celtics?
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
I think teams should be called The Whities, or The Seattle Crackers or even better The Chicago Hunkies! People are disrespectful and inconsiderate. Mr. pimpbot you don't get and you never will. It is not a sighn of respect it is just ignorent. As a native american I can tell I struggled over it, but change is good. So I propose we can use Team names such as The Rednecks thats good or the fighting hillbillies(thats a tough name)or how about Serial killers thats a good one. I could go on for ever with stupid white people names but I hope you get the point. Change the names and give true respect for the people you claim it respects!
siryakmann14
Kent , WA
Total Comments (35)
Talk to a Native American or African slave in 1850 and ask them who was more hated by WASP America, himself or an Irish guy.
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2071)
pimpbot, you said "Some people in the US still having a problem with a white woman marrying a black man, now that's something that should be adressed, not whether or not the Redskins are offensive to native Americans." While I agree it's a greater problem, both are problems that can be solved, and one more easily than the other. Would you argue that we shouldn't be worried about dogfighting when there are people abusing their children?
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2071)
Also i find it ironic that you say the redskins should think about changing their name but you have a picture of the redskins HC as your image.
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
That's not ironic. Ironic is rain on your wedding day when you're the wicked witch of the west and your hat got stolen and you don't have an umbrella.
Gibbs didn't pick the name. I'm still a fan, I just wish they'd change their name.
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2071)
What????
Downey
Seymour , IN
Total Comments (54)
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