I don't understand something...

[leahannpen]

...and I don't know if this should be on the CB or the DB. I don't know that I want to start a debate, so I will put this on the CB. I'm just curious about this and it's always kind of bugged me. I don't know why!

I've always wondered about this, and though I'd see what others though.

By the way, for the record I'm NOT really a sports fan by any means. In fact, I don't really even like sports. ( I don't know if this would apply to other things, not just sports teams. )

Okay, why is it that sports teams are offended by certain names or mascots? For example... In Milwaukee we HAD the Marquette Warriors. Apparently "WARRIORS" was offensive??? Why? I'd think it would be almost an honor, or a compliment. No? So we had to change it to the Golden Eagles.

Wasn't there a big hoopla over the Cleveland Indians that it was offensive?

Maybe I am just missing something and it really is very offensive. If that's the case, then I'm ready and willing to learn something today, so please enlighten me!

 

[kdibattista]

I just think this country is becoming too politically correct.... and my opinion is that it's not a good thing

 

[browneyes]

Originally posted by leahannpen
[BWasn't there a big hoopla over the Cleveland Indians that it was offensive?
[/B]

There was a few people mad about the name Atlanta Braves for awhile too. (I have some Cherokee blood and I'm not offended)

I think people just want to see a problem, so they create a problem.

 

[Ronan]

Note Dame has the fighting Irish.

Would another ethinic group be so in favor of a team name say the "Rioting Russian"?

St. Johns (NY) went from the Redman to the Redstorm.
Is Redman a derogatory term..to some maybe, but to others it was just a name.

 

[Dodie]

Yep. It's a PC thing.

I think that it's because it is now considered politically incorrect to use terms which appear to be demeaning regarding American Indians, particularly terms that associate them with violence, such as "Warriors" or "Braves."

I also think that there has been a movement to get away from using American Indians as mascots in general, because it appears to be derrogatory.

 

[grinningghost]

It was a huge issue in local school districts around here recently. Many of the schools have Indian names as mascots, and have for years and years. With the overly PC world, of course it became a firestorm. I'm happy to say my old high school kept their mascot - Indians. I lived in a town named after an Indian tribe - I always considered it to be an honorable tribute to use that name. As usual, somebody decided to twist it all up and make it into something it absolutely isn't.

 

[4greatboys]

My family has Indian blood and I have never been offended by teams with Indian names. Some people just look for whatever they can to cry about.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Our football team is the Chiefs and there were protests in front of Arrowhead stadium several years ago. I personally couldn't figure out why they were so upset - I thought they would be honored that the city choose to recognize their history in our area. The firestorm has pretty much blown over now.

 

[leahannpen]

Originally posted by TIdoublegaER
I thought they would be honored that the city choose to recognize their history in our area.

EXACTLY MY POINT!

 

[DaveH]

As I understand it, it is not having a team using the name, say indians. It is the way they protray an indian in what many feel is a very unflattering way. Instead of a proud chief it would some studid looking thing.

 

[Wishydoo]

I don't know...my dh is 100% Native American, and he says that stuff doesn't offend him, but can see how it could offend others.

He thinks it's a little silly when they change the teams' names.

 

[tater bug]

The Florida State Seminoles haven't faced any real criticism. The Seminole tribe is very much in favor of the way the name is portrayed by the university. In fact, the Seminole tribe makes the homecoming Chief and Princess clothes. When they are presented at half-time they are wearing traditional Seminole clothing. It's very cool.

 

[Steve H.]

Dave's right in some cases -- the big fight involving the Cleveland Indians hasn't been the name, as such, but the mascot, Chief Wahoo

Some Native American groups consider it an offensive symbol.

 

[Pam]

I don't know...my dh is 100% Native American, and he says that stuff doesn't offend him, but can see how it could offend others.

Wishydoo,
Thanks for saying that! My cousin is married to a 100% Native American and they live on a reservation in Nevada and he is always amazed when he comes back here to visit and we all strive to be PC. He's like, "Hey, I'm an Indian and I have no problem with that!!"

 

[cinmell]

Originally posted by kdibattista
I just think this country is becoming too politically correct.... and my opinion is that it's not a good thing

My thoughts exactly.