Perhaps. As I stated how they are presented would carry far more weight than the mere mention of their mascot.

And, I’d wager if presented in a positive and respectful way African Americans, Gay and Lesbian and Mexican Americans would flock to those teams, .. as well as old Irish White guys like myself if I lived in Columbus, Portland or Santa Fe respectively, .. if they were winning.

There is nothing true about what he says. Non-Jewish & non-Irish, etc . . . companies use religious and cultural imagery CONSTANTLY in marketing.

The fact remains, companies & individuals are free to use whatever imagery they deem fit for their product or service. That doesn’t in turn mean that I or anyone, for that matter, approve of the chosen use.

It’s all about judgement. And the Indians continue to use poor judgement and their fans continue to enable them.

I may not have a headdress, but I have a native style spear, knives, tomahawks, a wood bow with sinew string & arrows. I’m proud of these things. If you think I look offensive, or ASSume my peers feel a certain way……………… Well, instead of ASSuming things why don’t you think a little deeper about what prejudice is and read the various surveys done of Native Americans on what they think?

“91% of the American Indians surveyed in the 48 states on the mainland USA found the name “Redskins” acceptable” -Sports Illustrated

Right now in this country, most of the people are 100% Americans. There are some (9%) who want to be something else (Black, African, Native, Mexican etc.) and those who want them to be something else. Make nice little categories, get offended at everything.

Racism is real, but this isn’t it. People should stop trying to emerge race problems. Don’t project assumed racial problems, that’s prejudice.

i really never thought about it until i attended a native american language school (as a reporter) and heard their perspective. many were part of activist groups that aim to remove native american iconography as mascots.

I have many American Indian friends and they think the cartoon of Chief Wahoo is fine.

I’d suggest that it’s the white kids that are bringing the hate as well as some Jesse-Jackson-me-first Indian activists. There is no evidence whatsoever that people that go to Indians baseball games denigrate American Indians in any manner. There has never been a occasion where the Chief Wahoo caricature was used in some sort of manner to rally hate towards American Indians.

I’d think the fans doing the “tomahawk chop” at both professional baseball games and college football games are doing far more stereotyping and demeaning of American Indians then the Chief Wahoo character. And of course, I wonder why the media is not up in arms about the symbols of Notre Dame and the Boston Celtics – telling us how “racist” and “stereotypical” it is of Irish people (they’re not all short and wearing green all the time)….who were persecuted vehemently in this country for years.

Look at the bright side. The owners and front office of the Cleveland Indian baseball team have run a proud 1990′s organization into the ground. Baseball fans in NE Ohio have passed the point of anger, and are now apathetic – they should finish last in attendance in the major leagues next year, with local TV ratings continuing to plummet. Meanwhile, those fans are being told that the symbol of their team is “racist” – which infers that a team they’re some sort of awful people for accepting this symbol or their team. This is more then well-meaning fans can take. So the good news is that MLB can move the team out of Cleveland and change it’s nickname wherever it winds up.

Until then I’d like to speak about how upset I am that southerners that lost relatives in the Civil War have to read about “Yankees”. As an animal right activist I’m not too thrilled about “Lions”, Tigers” “Bengals”, “Panthers”, “Ravens” and “Bears” (and their symbols), nor do I think it is right to stereotype all people in Green Bay as “Packers” when in fact many of the people in the area are trained accountants, executives, musicians and artists. And how about the names “Bucs”, “Raiders” and “Pirates”? Shouldn’t the descendants of of pirates – many resorting to doing it to survive in an unfair world – be upset at the way they’re being depicted…..and about “Vikings”…..and don’t even try to get me started on “Angels” and what that REALLY means, and how offensive that name is to atheists in America……

What a bunch of useless crackers….

So, based on your argument, you would be okay with the following expansion teams?

The Columbus Blacks
The Portland Homosexuals
The Santa Fe Mexicans

If Native Americans take offense at the Washington Redskins, .. I get it. I’m amazed that the name wasn’t changed in the 70s. But, Cleveland’s and Alanta’s Indians and or Braves in and of themselves are not necessarily pejorative connotations. How one presents that image is far more important, .. so maybe Chief Wahoo is a bit much. Perhaps being Irish decent I don’t have enough context or perspective.

On the other hand, .. maybe it’s just me. Cause, I also never took offense to Notre Dame’s team name and mascot either. I mean why would anyone of Irish decent take offense to “the Fighting Irish” and the imagery of a drunken belligerent leprechaun?

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/the-curse-of-chief-wahoo/Content?oid=2954423

Again, where is the hatred for the Irish logo then? Some people hate it.

http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2008/10/05/notre-dames-fighting-irish-mascot/

They are basically the same thing, a fun take on a stereotype. It’s not a big deal unless you make it one. However, if you suggest removing Indian images, you better remove ALL jokes! Cowboys, Cornhuskers, Spartans, etc. They are all tired of being portrayed as fun and comical. In fact, it might even be wrong to give warrior traits to animals. Let’s just use inanimate objects for team names & logos so no one gets offended.

Relatedly, imagine having to decide on licensing the insulting “Navajo” (thief) because no one recognizes what you call yourselves (Dine’ or “people”).