CLEVELAND, Ohio – The official policy of Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team is it hasn’t made the final decision on changing its name from the Indians to something else.
But I expect them to change the name, and I hear it the may not be made until the 2022 season.
Let’s start with reality: The name is going to change. After the Indians made a long statement in a July 3 tweet about considering a name change, it seems almost impossible for them to step back and say, “Well, never mind...”
This is my analysis based on what I’ve learned. The Indians are making no public comments about the name change, other than their Tweet, which doesn’t directly quote anyone. The days of the team being called “the Indians” will be over.
Team owner Paul Dolan does plan to engage with leaders from various tribes and Native American interest groups. In order for the name to remain, they’d have to be pushing Dolan to keep it. That’s not likely to happen. Nor is it likely the team will settle for something such as “The Tribe” or anything else with a Native American connection.
What I’m hearing is the new name will be something fresh, something they can make uniquely their own.
IT TAKES TIME
You don’t just change the name of a major league franchise in any sport. There are copyright issues. Marketing issues. In the case of the Indians, Major League Baseball issues.
Furthermore, the Indians are aware a significant segment of the fan base is not happy. The team is hearing from them now on social media, and that’s not likely to stop. I’ve been overwhelmed with emails on this subject, more than 300. It seems at least 60% are resigned to the name being changed. Many of those are enthusiastic about it.
The Indians are weary of the culture wars dating back decades with the Chief Wahoo logo.
As I wrote last weekend, the team didn’t seriously consider a name change until the death of George Floyd on May 25 and the protests that followed. They sensed a public shift on issues such as team names coming.
Major corporate sponsor FedEx pushed the NFL’s Washington franchise to drop its Redskins name. The team said it would consider it. Within 30 hours, the Indians followed with their tweet about pondering a name change.
As they take a look at the various aspects of the possible name change, they not only have their fan base to consider – but also big-money sponsors such as Progressive and Sherwin Williams. They’d love to find a name that can be embraced by those who advertise with the team. They don’t want their sponsors being pressured from special-interest groups, as was the case in Washington.
Finally, many members of the organization have reached the point of believing it’s “the right thing to do too,” and that’s beyond the business aspect.
But over and over again, I was told how this is a complicated and time-consuming process.
A POSSIBLE TIMETABLE
Absolutely nothing is written down. The Indians have not even officially acknowledged they will change the name. But they are looking at every aspect of what it takes to move away from the Indians label to something else. I was told it’s a “massive undertaking.”
It goes beyond uniforms, clothing and other merchandise. The Indians brand name has a long reach. Progressive Field would have to take down some huge Indians signs. There are similar signs all over the area. Then they have to pick a name, a logo and design new uniforms.
But one possible plan would be for the Indians to try to make a final decision about removing the name in the next few months. I expect that to happen. Then they’d play as the Indians in 2021 with the understanding that it’s the final season under the Indians name.
Assuming they do the change the name, the Indians believe this is a major opportunity to give the franchise a fresh look. They want the name to be one that lasts for the rest of this century. They don’t want to have buyer’s remorse in a few years.
So they will go slow. They will be careful. In the end, they hope patience will help them get it right.
That’s why 2022 looks like a realistic date for the change to happen.
If they change the name, great, I'll still wear Indians gear unless they make it illegal to sell. If you can't sell that, how can you sell a turquoise ring?
That is Indian stuff.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
'Peen, if they change the name, can ChiefWahoo and Indians branding be hijacked for use by anybody? Would sales be legal or not? Is it owned property and protected if I wanted to print and stitch items for nostalgia and legacy souvenir sales uo at the stadium? Why would you pay like licensed if officially abandoned. Laws and the NFL are sticky i know. I might put that Chief on a bunch of stuff, and suspect it wouldn't just end with me.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
NFL’s Washington franchise officially has a new name coming
Charles Robinson NFL columnist Yahoo SportsJul 12, 2020, 9:46 PM
In a sign that the NFL’s Washington franchise has committed itself to a new name, the league has asked partners to begin scrubbing “Redskins” from their platforms in anticipation of a change that could be coming as soon as Monday.
The move completes a swift about-face from Washington owner Dan Snyder, who previously vowed that the nickname would continue on as it has since 1933, when it was created by former owner George Preston Marshall. This despite the name coming under increased scrutiny in recent years as being racist and demeaning toward Native Americans. Those grievances have been longstanding, but gained significant momentum over the last month as the death of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests over racial inequality in the country.
The turning point appeared to come on July 2, when it was revealed that a group of investment firms in multibillion dollar corporations such as FedEx, Nike, PepsiCo and others had joined together to ask the companies to cut their business ties with Washington unless the franchise changed its nickname. Collectively, the groups and investors seeking to pressure the name change held a net worth of over $620 billion. Soon after that letter pressuring the companies, FedEx released a statement that it had requested a name change and Nike pulled all Washington merchandise from its online store.
The organization followed those moves by announcing it would begin a review process with its name, drawing a statement of praise from the NFL, essentially cementing the reality that Washington would be changing its nickname.
The change will add to some sweeping moves surrounding the franchise, including the removal of a memorial of Marshall outside RFK Stadium. Marshall had previously been an ardent critic of desegregation in America, including many statements made after his founding and ownership of one of the NFL’s cornerstone franchises over the last century. Snyder also acquiesced on removing Marshall from the team’s materials and Ring of Honor, despite at the time refusing to change Washington’s nickname.
Now he is on the verge of wiping the slate clean, which could also open some avenues to having his franchise move into the D.C. area, which has been favored by some politicians in the event of a new name.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Good news. The name was offensive in my opinion. So as Chief Wahoo.
The names of Chiefs, Braves, Indians, etc are not......in my opinion.
I think you're probably right, but I'd rename them all if I was in charge. The stink around using names like this is, well, stinky.
Also, I think Chief Wahoo should be removed everywhere, not just the uniforms on the field, but the team shop as well. I think they failed when they kept him for merchandise sales, just a bad look ("We agree his time is over, but we'll still make money off T-shirt and baby bib sales.").
As for their name, I'd change it. Not because its as offensive as the R-words, but because its "in the ballpark". Whether anyone likes being politically correct, they should be named the Cleveland Native Americans, since we don't say "Indians" anymore. Just take the next step and move on from it. I'd say it was a good run, but it wasn't. Three WS losses in the past 25 years, two in extra innings of game 7. Move on.
Spiders, Red Tails, Blue Sox, Blues, etc.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
Good news. The name was offensive in my opinion. So as Chief Wahoo.
The names of Chiefs, Braves, Indians, etc are not......in my opinion.
I think you're probably right, but I'd rename them all if I was in charge. The stink around using names like this is, well, stinky.
Also, I think Chief Wahoo should be removed everywhere, not just the uniforms on the field, but the team shop as well. I think they failed when they kept him for merchandise sales, just a bad look ("We agree his time is over, but we'll still make money off T-shirt and baby bib sales.").
As for their name, I'd change it. Not because its as offensive as the R-words, but because its "in the ballpark". Whether anyone likes being politically correct, they should be named the Cleveland Native Americans, since we don't say "Indians" anymore. Just take the next step and move on from it. I'd say it was a good run, but it wasn't. Three WS losses in the past 25 years, two in extra innings of game 7. Move on.
Spiders, Red Tails, Blue Sox, Blues, etc.
I say Indians, so I am not sure which "we" you are talking about. I don't find anything offensive with the term.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
9:07 AM PT -- 7/13 The Navajo Nation is applauding the decision -- saying, "July 13, 2020 is now a historic day for all Indigenous peoples around the world." "The NFL Washington-based team officially announced the retirement of the racist and disparaging 'Redskins' team name and logo," the Navajo Nation continued. "For generations, this team name and logo has misrepresented the true history and events that define the term 'redskins.'" The Navajo nation even has a suggestion for a new team name -- The Washington Code Talkers. "Renaming the team 'Code Talkers' to honor the Navajo Code Talkers, and other tribal nations who used their sacred language to help win World War II would set the team on a path to restoring its reputation and correcting the historical misrepresentation of Indigenous peoples." It's official ... The Washington "Redskins" are no more.
The NFL franchise announced Monday morning it's FINALLY changing the team nickname they've had since 1933 ... effective immediately.
"Today we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo," the team said.
The team says owner Dan Snyder and head coach Ron Rivera are "working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud tradition, rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years."
After the announcement, Washington QB Dwayne Haskins weighed in ... saying "As a kid who grew up in the dmv it’ll always be #HTTR but looking forward to the future."
The team had initially announced a "thorough review of the team's name" back on July 3 after Native American groups and sponsors had decided enough was enough and put pressure on the team to make a change.
Nike had stopped selling "Redskins" merchandise on its official website -- and FedEx -- which has spent MILLIONS over the years for the naming rights to FedExField in Maryland -- threatened to jump ship if the team didn't make a change.
And, Fawn Sharp -- president of the National Congress of American Indians (which represents more than 500 tribal nations) also issued a scathing statement to the team -- calling for players to boycott until the name was changed.
What's important about Fawn ... is Washington had long argued that Native American groups were largely supportive of the nickname. Fawn and the NCAI called BS and they couldn't hide behind that claim anymore.
The team has not locked in new team name yet -- they're reportedly working on the business side of that ... but the season is set to begin soon, so the clock's ticking.
So far, the Redtails and the Warriors have been thrown around as possible replacement names -- you like?
Why would the Navajo Nation be applauding this? I thought only about 10% of Native Americans were offended by it? Things that make you go hmmm for $500 Alex.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I say Indians, so I am not sure which "we" you are talking about. I don't find anything offensive with the term.
I'm aware some people still say that, but most use "Native Americans" for a reason. I don't want to hijack the thread into a "where did the 'Indians' term come from and why it's been replaced" discussion, but it has. I'm not bashing you either, it's your choice to say what you want.
As for Washington, I think they're going Red Wolves or Warriors. I think Redtails would be awesome, maybe even Hogs as well, but I don't see them going for those.
As a major Browns, Cavs and UT Rockets fan, if one of those were renamed to be the Wolves, I wouldn't care all that much. I'd still have a team and they'd have new gear. Maybe I'm old or maybe it's this stupid pandemic, but I'm not worrying about statues, names of sports teams or anything that's being argued in the political forum. I want us to beat Covid, get people their jobs back and work on police reform. All this other junk is just that, junk (I'm okay talking about it, but after I leave this thread, I've already moved on).
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
I wish Washington would choose a name that actually honors Native Americans.
I think this is almost impossible to do. What would that name be?
No matter what you choose, some people will be offended.
Exactly, I don't know how they pick a federally recognized tribe name and still not make people go bat crap crazy. Like I said above, it is best to move on to something else.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
If I were them I’d choose a new name that didnt try to “honor” anybody ... I’d make it a name that cannot be construed as anything (whether now or in the future).
Red tails sounds okay, but it’s honoring one specific group of people. I’d steer clear of Warriors, Redtails, Presidents, etc ... just go straight animal or concept
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Cleveland Thunder? Painesville teen wants to honor Native American ancestor with intriguing historical tale
Today 5:30 AM Kyan Vano of Painesville wants to honor his great great great grandfather by having the Indians change the name to the Cleveland Thunder The story of Chief Oghema Niagara Thunderwater reflects local history friendship and baseball
By Marc Bona, cleveland.com CLEVELAND, Ohio - A 15-year-old high school sophomore from Painesville has a possible name for the Cleveland Indians, one that holds respect for his family heritage, Native Americans, local history and a bit of lore.
Kyan Vano, who attends Painesville Riverside High School, suggests the team should be renamed the Cleveland Thunder.
His great-great-great grandfather, Chief Oghema Niagara Thunderwater of the Osauckee tribe of the Algonquin nation, was born in 1865 in Lewiston, New York, near the Canadian border. His travels eventually brought him to Cleveland, where he lived for many years.
He was known as Supreme Chief of Peace. Vano calls him "Grandpa Chief."
“One of his big motivations was he didn’t want to necessarily assimilate with white culture, but as he represented himself in a friendly way he could be able to educate others. That was one of his big goals. He realized that soon after touring with Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West show.
"So Cleveland was his home. He had a (large) house, where he would house other Native Americans and they formed this sort of peace organization where they would travel all across the country - they met President Taft at one point - and tried to educate Americans. He traveled across North America for many, many years; that was his main goal. He started a medicine company where they used herbal medicines, and a polish (manufacturer) company."
The chief, who lived in his East Side home for decades, seemed to navigate both the modern world and the cultural one seeped in his bones. He was a member of the Cleveland Business Men’s Taft Club, composed of Republican Party supporters. He also once led the Supreme Council of Indian Tribes of the United States and Canada.
In 1910, a Plain Dealer story said he once spent several months looking after a wayward lad who had reportedly been mistreated by his mother.
The story of why Vano wants the name Thunder also takes a turn into local, as well as a bit of baseball, history.
Preserving history
The chief - who liked to be called Oghema Niagara - made it a mission to have Sauk Chief Joc-O-Sot's grave preserved in Erie Street Cemetery.
The narrow cemetery is bordered by Erie Court and Sumner Avenue, and E. 14th and E. 9th streets. Its gates face Progressive Field's outfield. Anyone who has walked through the cemetery has seen the quiet plot of archaic, leaning headstones.
One marks the grave of Joc-O-Sot, known as Walking Bear. He had fought in the Black Hawk War, a bloody land-reclamation battle between Native Americans and the United States in 1832. Later, he became part of a traveling theatrical troupe.
"He did have a lot of respect for Joc-O-Sot," Vano said. "When campaigning to restore the Erie Street Cemetery he said that if Joc-O-Sot's grave was disturbed there would be a terrible curse that would go all over Cleveland. … He (Joc-O-Sot) was visiting Cleveland when he passed, which is why he's buried here. In that culture it's very disrespectful to move that body."
Over decades, Thunderwater made it his mission to ensure Joc-O-Sot's resting place would be preserved respectfully in the cemetery.
Even in 1938, the cemetery - already more than a century old at that point - was being referred to as "half-forgotten," but Native Americans would gather to show respect. When Chief Thunderwater spoke, those around him listened.
It wasn't difficult to envision the chief as having a commanding presence. One newspaper account described the passion of the man, his long white hair tied back and his face "as brown as a chestnut." Chief Thunderwater symbolically sprinkled maize as a respectful sign of eternal friendship, a reminder that if his fellow chief were alive, he would raise corn with him, cook for him, and feed him.
It was a ritual he held every Memorial Day for 40 years for a man he never met.
"Almost 94 years ago this brave Indian was laid to rest with pomp and honor, then there were stately oaks, elms and buckeyes here," he told the crowd. "Since then this sacred place has fallen into the hands of ruthless politicians who think only of their pocketbooks."
He continued to the crowd who had gathered: “This place was given for the dead. But the politicians have already stolen part of it and tossed the bones away. How foolish people are to trust politicians who grin, pat your back until you vote and then don’t want to see you again.
"Joc-O-Sot was not like politicians, but brave and honest."
His plea of respect for his compatriot’s final resting place never wavered. He fought against the city wanting to turn the cemetery into a playground. In 1940, the cemetery’s remaining graves - include Joc-O-Sot’s - were rededicated. Several members of the Seneca tribe visited Chief Thunderwater, and he told them of his plans to have a monument erected to honor the Sauk chief.
Joc-O-Sot died on Sept. 3, 1844. He was 34.
Tours of Cleveland, an educational walking-tour company, says in a biographical portrait of Joc-O-Sot his spirit was so angered about being buried in Cleveland "that he cracked the headstone and he is known to haunt the cemetery and even disrupt Cleveland Indian Baseball games at Progressive Field." Another theory says in the 1880s Joc-O-Sot's remains might have been moved to Minnesota, but records do not confirm the body was disturbed.
The Plain Dealer even presciently called for the cemetery's preservation back in 1889, noting Joc-O-Sot's cracked stone and that a broken ornament left in his memory "still exists in the shape of a broken tea cup."
"It wouldn't cost a great deal to restore the Indian monument in Erie street cemetery," the paper wrote, "as some day it will be a relic of a race that is rapidly becoming extinct."
Several years later, it was reported that the cemetery would be dismantled. Graves already had been moved out. A city was growing up around it. Joc-O-Sot remained.
"Restless traveler he was in life; in death, he cannot lie tranquilly," the paper wrote, calling the old chief a "peacemaker."
Maybe it was peace that bound Thunderwater and Joc-O-Sot.
Chief Thunderwater died June 10, 1950. He and Joc-O-Sot are buried next to each other.
‘A beautiful middle ground’
Vano offers a mature perspective on what his ancestor, a proud man who never forgot his Native American roots, would think about the recent divisive controversy over Chief Wahoo, the smiling Indian character emblazoned on uniforms and hats that was officially disavowed in 2018.
"To my knowledge, he was very, very proud of the representation that the Native Americans had in Cleveland due to Chief Wahoo," Vano said, "but as time has gone on and people have become incredibly more distressed over it, his whole thing was peace. … I think he would promote maybe not getting rid of it but believe that we could do better. Which is why we are promoting this name.
“I think it’s a beautiful middle ground that keeps that historical significance for the people who like the spirit of the Indians and the spirit of the Native Americans in Cleveland, but also (for those who) can see it’s having nothing to do with it.”
Chief Thunderwater paid attention to baseball, too, apparently.
In 1948, he quipped a prediction about the World Series, reportedly saying something along the lines of "the best warriors will win, as long as they're Cleveland."
A safe wish, considering the Indians were facing the Braves of Boston. Cleveland won the series in six games. It was the last World Series the Indians won.
"No one is really sure if he was joking or not. There is a theory that he was playing the role of the mystic to please the crowd. And there are people who think he was 100 percent serious," Vano said. "But one thing I do believe is that positive energy, that prediction, may have played a force in winning the World Series. So keeping that spirit alive now is kind of what Cleveland needs to push through and get back to the season."
Through an online petition, Vano and his family are campaigning to get the name changed to Thunder. His ancestor loved Cleveland and would throw a ceremonial opening pitch at Indians games, Vano said.
Vano had been to many Indians games, but it was the pandemic that made him realize how much he missed the game.
“I kind of used it as a way to get closer to that part of my heritage,” he said. “That’s why I am doing this, because of this whole thing I am really looking forward to this next season to see what our Tribe can do.”
A residual, fun benefit of renaming the Indians the Thunder, Vano said, would be the possibility of the team being able to blare AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" at Progressive Field after victories. The hard-rock, guitar-and-drums crescendo from the Australian band came out in 1990.
"It's definitely a driving force for this, for sure," he said.
But he remains serious when it comes to the respect he hopes will be given to Grandpa Chief.
“If we don’t get the name I’ll be disappointed, but I really hope that people can remember him. It’s kind of an underground historical story. He did a lot. I don’t think that he’s been completely recognized.”
Last edited by Jester; 07/13/2005:55 PM.
Am I perfect? No Am I trying to be a better person? Also no
Washington Redskins name change: A view from real Native Americans
by Craig Stofko 1 year ago
The Washington Redskins have been under tremendous pressure over the past decade to abandon their name and mascot, but not all Native Americans are behind that cause.
The debate over the Washington Redskins name – and its alleged offensiveness – has really picked up steam over the last couple of years. In what turned out to be an interesting and unexpected twist, I was able to get some Native American perspective on this issue. What I learned surprised me.
I should preface this article by explaining that the interviews I conducted were not planned, but rather accidental. Also, the information I was able to collect did not follow any scientific model and the results would not hold up under the scrutiny of intense statistical analysis. However, to dismiss this anecdotal evidence as irrelevant would be, at the very least, closed-minded.
My family and friends vacation at Flathead Lake in Montana every year. We rent a lake house and enjoy the beautiful clear water of Flathead Lake which sits majestically in a valley between two enormous mountain ranges which run to the south of Glacier National Park. I don’t believe there is a more beautiful place on Earth.
Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. It is about 30 miles long and a few miles across. The southern half of Flathead Lake sits on the Flathead Indian Reservation. You wouldn’t know you were on an Indian Reservation if you missed the small sign that welcomed you. But, my brother-in-law knows the area very well and took me for a few beers one gorgeous afternoon to a little bar called The Idle Stirrup.
I knew we were on the Indian Reservation before I entered the small and weathered wooden building, but once I stepped inside I was somewhat taken aback. There were a dozen or so patrons scattered in groups of two or three around the one room structure. A few sat at the bar while the others were nursing their drinks at one of the small wooden tables that were arranged haphazardly around the room.
As we entered we could hear the normal bar chatter. People were talking and laughing, the smell of fried food and stale beer smacked of a college bar from back in the day. But a couple steps in and everything changed. Every single person in the place stopped talking.
You could hear the proverbial pin drop – and I will admit I felt kind of uncomfortable for a split second as we stood there – as we were stopped dead in our tracks by the deafening silence and the intense stares of the Native Americans that seemed to be glaring at the two big white guys standing at the door.
Every single person in the place was a Native American. The customers as well as the staff. I myself am 6’2, and my brother-in-law, Frank, 6’7. We both go well over 200 pounds and Frank, with his long black hair and wildly unkempt beard, (every bit the biker dude look) might have come across as intimidating but looks can be deceiving.
Frank is the nicest, friendliest, most personable guy I have ever met. And me? I’m as harmless as a heel hound. However, for this one extremely awkward and uncomfortable moment we were most certainly out of place. Until…
“Drinks all around!” shouted Frank.
His proclamation was met with hoots and hollers and instantly we were as welcome as rain in July. Suddenly, a short-statured woman, obviously and proudly of American Indian decent emerged from the kitchen. “Frank!” she screamed.
We made our way to the bar and as we took our position on our stools we gave each other a knowing glance. His said, “Ha, got you, bro!” Mine? “You’re a jerk!”
Fast forward two hours and Frank and I are having a grand time with the locals. We shot some pool, threw some darts, drank more than a couple of beers and eventually, started talking football.
In this quaint, log cabin-ish looking, lakeside establishment, populated entirely by Native American Indians (save the two tourists), hung four Washington Redskins pennants. Each from different ages of Redskin lore they hung conspicuously on the wall behind the pool table.
They adorned the wall next to a thumbtacked affixed paper copy of the menu, a fake stuffed Buffalo’s head, a picture of Joe Theismann, and an autographed picture of Dave Butz, of all people.
Having worked for the Maryland state government for most of my adult life I had been conditioned to steer clear of anything that could even remotely approach the dangerous waters of political incorrectness. But, intrigued by the memorabilia and my political inhibitions lubricated with a few frothy lagers, I asked William Mountain of the Sun if there were, in fact, Redskin fans among us. What ensued was a fascinating and somewhat surprising conversation that ultimately included every single person in the bar.
“The Redskins are our favorite team,” William replied, standing just a little taller as he made the announcement.
It was not lost on me how cool it was that I was in northwest Montana playing pool with an American Indian named William Mountain of the Sun.
When we eventually arrived at the taboo subject of the offensiveness of the name he said something I’ll never forget.
“No full-blooded Redskin would be offended by being called a Redskin.” He looked around the room. “We are proud of who we are.”
My liberal armor seemed to melt away as he continued to share his thoughts on the matter.
“That is a game,” he said, “white men are white men, black men are black men, red men are red men. Why should we be shamed by being called Redskin?”
At this point, others had joined a conversation that at every point remained jovial and extremely pleasant.
The woman who had yelled out Frank’s name (her name was Donna) chimed in such a manner that suggested she had had this conversation many times before.
“You know what’s offensive?”, she began, “‘Native American’. Every time I hear ‘Native American’, it reminds me that this was all our land and it was stolen from us. It reminds me that we were conquered.”
And, just as things almost started to get too impassioned, she cut her self off and, pointing at the empty mug in my hand asked, “Another one?”
Over the course of that next beer, I became fully engulfed in a conversation that frankly had me dumbstruck. I listened as an American Indian explained to me that, “Our people are all but forgotten. Most Americans don’t think about us. They don’t talk about us. Soon they won’t even know about us. Should we be angry that this group, this team, remembers us? Honors us? Braves on the warpath,” he went on. “Hail to the Redskins!”
It is worth pointing out that there was not a dissenting opinion. The entirety of this eatery was in agreement that the name Redskins was a manner in which to pay homage to their people. It was a name that recognized and honored their heritage. I was fascinated, bewildered, and more than a little strangely relieved to find that I had been on the wrong side of this argument from the start.
I can hear people from my circles back in Bethesda, and Annapolis, and Baltimore now, “What you’ve got a sample size of 12? Pffft! Means nothing!”
Well, it meant something to these people and, posted or not, I felt an obligation to those folks to share the story.
Frank and I spent that afternoon with some Dakota Indians. They were friendly, funloving, and obviously proud people. They seemed to very much enjoy our company as we did theirs. But I will never forget William telling me that it was the white man that found the word ‘Redskin’ offensive because it had the word ‘skin’ in it. Next: One Trade Every NFL Team Should Make in 2019
He laughed when he said it but I will always remember the day a funny, very good pool playing, proud Dakota Indian threw my phony-baloney liberal ideology right in my face.
However, there are over 500 Native American tribes in N. America.
And just like individuals not all of them share the same views.
That well may be the case for that group of people in that bar.
It may be a different for the Navajoes of New Mexico or the Kwakiutl of the Northwest.
It is not fare to generalize.
Synder and the NFL should reach out to all of the elders across the country of the various tribes and conduct surveys. That goes for the Indians of Cleveland as well.
IMO I don't find the Atlanta "Braves" to be offensive.
But I do not pretend to speak for all Native Americans.
Do you believe that it is fair to site individuals incidents or isolated cases and apply that as gospel to every case?
You felt it was ok to lump me into your individual case. Like I harassed or spit on Vietnam vets. And protesting or protesters are all lefty's or somehow unpatriotic.
American history is interesting. If we didn't protest and revolt we would be singing "God Save the Queen" before sporting events.
If I own a team, and am considering a name change, there is no way on God's green earth that I am ever going to change the name to another specific group of people.
At one time, the term "Redskins" was acceptable, even among Native Americans. However, in today's offended age, it is still fine for many of them, but for other people the name has never affected, it is offensive.
I am naming my team after a tree, or a rock. They don't get offended. No way do I name it after any people, or group of people.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
You should start a movement. Of course then nobody slaughtered them, herded them like cattle and stole all of their land. But hey, what difference does any of that make, right?
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
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