So …
We know someone who was kicked off of the Philadelphia Phillies Discord chat server for simply (and correctly) referring to Cleveland’s baseball team as the “Indians”. He was called a racist for not retracting the reference. Let’s analyze, shall we?
First of all, Donald Trump correctly stated that sports teams are named out of strength, not weakness. These are tributes born of respect, not of anything resembling shame. Changing a team name over political correctness is not only wrong, it’s just plain stupid. It has been done before, and the team involved eventually went back to their “politically incorrect” name. It’s exactly what is going to happen with the Indians, so I am personally not going to bother going along with the change.
More importantly, if we are going to respond to the politically correct crowd and change any team name that is mildly offensive to anyone at all, we are going to have problems across the board. It’s reminiscent of the call my high school Alma Mater had to deal with in my teenage years, when people were calling our mascot (the Red Devil) satanic, and demanding it be changed. They floated the idea, and it died a quick and painless death. The mascot is the same today, as it should be.
Seriously, is it racist to name your team the “Indians”? Indians were great warriors who taught the Europeans a great deal, especially with regard to agriculture. Is honoring the benefits of these positive relations and the respect for the integrity and strength of the Indian during conflict racist? Really?
Frankly, just about every team mascot that refers to a human being could be offensive to someone. Let’s take a look (MLB only):
Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves: These are Indian warriors who stood up to American oppression. This team’s history is long and covers three cities. Does the team name need to change? Are the fans of this team racist?
Cincinnati Reds: Reds were what Russian soldiers were referred to during the early Cold War years. There are tough warriors who helped remove the Nazis from Berlin, but Americans hated them. I’m sure plenty find it offensive. Should the name be changed?
Houston Astros: This name extends from the astronaut program based in Houston. Some say that astronauts lie about where they actually traveled to in the sky and what they did there. Calling someone an “astro” isn’t necessarily a compliment. But should the name be changed?
Kansas City Royals: The name refers to British royalty, or at least seems to. Is honoring a foreign monarchy something I like to see? Absolutely not. But should they change the name?
Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers: This is shortened from “Trolley Dodger”. This was a pejorative term similar to the n-word referring to someone from Brooklyn (and plenty of black people have lived in Brooklyn over the years). Hardly a compliment, and probably offensive, but does the team name need to be changed?
Milwaukee Brewers: Brewers in Milwaukee have been the cause of many addictions, accidents, and deaths over the years. Beer is something that is fine when enjoyed responsibly, but ask any MADD mom, and I doubt they would want to honor people that make beer. Does that team name need to change?
Minnesota Twins: While the team name refers to the Twin Cities Minneapolis and St. Paul, the name also does refer to two people who shared a womb. Some might be offended by this, as twins often would prefer their own identity. Does that mean the team name must be changed?
New York Yankees: Another outright derisive term. If you are a northerner in the South, and someone calls you a “Yankee”, it’s not because they like you; it’s because they are offended by something you did or said. It’s one of the meanest things you can be called by a southerner. This could even be considered racist – and openly so. Does it warrant changing the name of the team?
New York Mets: “Metropolitans” refers to people from New York City and the surrounding area. These aren’t everyone’s favorite group of people. Some find these people offensive just for being from that area – the very definition of racism. Should the team name be changed?
Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics: Athletics, basically, are what we used to call “jocks” or “muscleheads”. Not always a compliment. Does that warrant a name change?
Pittsburgh Pirates: Pirates are thieves. Calling people Pirates is not a nice thing. By doing so, you are accusing them of a crime. Does this warrant a name change?
San Diego Padres: Padres are priests and monks, usually of Catholic persuasion. In today’s anti-religion climate, this can often be a slur. Does this warrant a name change?
New York/San Francisco Giants: Giants are people who are too tall or too fat. Calling someone a giant is not a compliment. Does this warrant a name change?
Seattle Mariners: In law, a mariner is a servant on a ship. Just a lowly servant. Mariners are also ship navigators. There are people who have a chip on their shoulder (not necessarily rightly) for these people too. Does that warrant a name change?
Texas Rangers: These are cops. Again, we live in a decidedly anti-police atmosphere today. So calling someone a ranger isn’t necessarily a compliment. Does this warrant a name change?
Washington Nationals: Nationals are American Sovereigns. Many are willing to stand up to the same government thugs that these politically correct morons have come to love. The politically correct crowd is generally offended by how many nationals live their lives. Are they demanding a name change?
Just about every team name that refers to a human being is going to be offensive to SOMEONE. Does it make sense to demand name changes for ANY of them? What happens when the next wave of political correctness, those who call people “speciesist”, makes its way into public discourse. I have encountered these people. They are more passionate than you think, as weird as that may sound. If you thought the phony racism crowd was weird, wait until you see the offense they will take at team names like:
Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Chicago Cubs
Detroit Tigers
Florida/Miami Marlins
Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Are we going to demand team name changes for all of these when this group of nutbags makes its way into the conversation?
My middle school mascot was the Indians. Does that make me a racist?
My college mascots were birds and mammals. Does that make me a “speciesist”?
Students at many colleges and high schools nationwide have mascots like the Indians, Chiefs, Renegades, etc. Are these students and their families racist?
How about the AAA Pirates affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians? Are the good people of Indianapolis racist?
In the words of your own moron President, “C’mon man.”
Political correctness has already destroyed free speech. It’s time to get it back.
-The Hat