Cleveland Indians to change name

Cleveland Indians to change name Dec 15, 2020 15:45:30 GMT NJtoTX likes this

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Post by ReyKahuka on Dec 15, 2020 15:45:30 GMT

Dec 15, 2020 14:34:00 GMT masterofallgoons said:

Dec 15, 2020 13:57:46 GMT ReyKahuka said:

Ok, I'll ask you. Would you call a team the Cleveland Blacks? Cleveland Koreans? Why is there a separate set of rules for indigenous peoples? The word isn't offensive, it's the context. And the context is the same as animals, regarding sports teams. Bears, Tigers, Lions, Hawks, Sharks...Indians. Congratulations on your subhuman status. Don't worry, it's an 'honor.'

And before we get there (for the millionth time), we didn't wipe out, assimilate and steal the continent from the Irish.

I'll just say again that for some reasons I've mentioned already that I think there's a little complexity with regards to this whole issue than most people are familiar with, and there is a contingency of white people being offended on behalf of others when they don't really understand it... but I always enjoy when people whine, bitch, and complain while calling others 'triggered snowflakes.' The lack of self awareness and irony is hilarious to a point where you have to question whether or not it's on purpose.

Social issues are always more complicated and of course there's always a group willing to be offended on someone else's behalf. But the issues facing native peoples go back centuries and are not only unresolved, but largely undiscussed in our culture. They have virtually no advocacy in our society and government compared to other minority groups. Sports team names are literally the least of their concerns, which probably explains the results of those ridiculous polls that somehow 'prove' native people don't care about sports nicknames. "I have no job, no food, minimal education and my future prospects aren't looking great. What were you saying about a football team?" But rest assured, the community as a whole wants change.

Don't take my word for it as a white guy who's actually seen reservation squalor firsthand, take their word for it instead.

The National Congress of American Indians and over 1,500 national Native organizations and advocates have called for a ban on all Native imagery, names, mascots, terms, redface, arrows, feathers, and appropriation of Native culture in sports. The joint letter included over 100 Native-led organizations, as well as tribal leaders and members of over 150 federally recognized tribes, reflecting a consensus among Native Americans that Native mascots are harmful. Although there has been a steady decline in the number of teams doing so, Native American images and nicknames nevertheless remain fairly common in American and Canadian sports, and may be found in use at all levels, ranging from youth teams to professional sports franchises.

It's insane that we even have to have this discussion in 2020. I saw a commercial the other day for NARF (and if you haven't heard of it, I'm not surprised) asking for donations; the saddest part? They didn't mention Native Americans until the very end of the commercial. They made the commercial all about protecting the environment, because that's where they live. "Donate money to protect our country's beauty and resources, oh yeah, and the forgotten people who still live in the middle of nowhere in literal third world conditions because that's where their ancestors were forced to relocate to." It was smart to lead off with the environmental angle to get people to give a shit. I mean we're sitting here questioning whether or not cartoon likenesses on baseball hats are acceptable, and they expect you to donate money for their wellbeing?

The snowflakes thing has always been hilarious to me. The people using it are always the first ones to get up at arms over any perceived insult to their perspective. He's here wondering whether we should "evolve." I already know he's against gay marriage, because it's a change that came about in his lifetime. I wonder how he feels about slavery or women's suffrage? Have we not 'evolved' into a better society over the centuries? A better, more fair society? Is there not still room for improvement? These are not problems because they don't affect him. Now ask him about gun control.

The hypocrisy serves a central psychological purpose, though. Deep down, they know they're wrong. That's why they flip every situation and make it about them. They're somehow the victims. Systematic racism has been going on for centuries, and regarding Native peoples, European settlers took everything away from these people. But you want to take sports nicknames away? This is an assault on our heritage! These extremists want to ruin our country! It would be comical if it wasn't so depressing.