Why does Cleveland keep their racist logo?

Question

I mean, seriously. A smiling red "Indian" face!?! I despise the Red Sox, but I can't bring myself to root for a team with that logo. Everytime I look at it, I cringe.

Mt. Pelio...per your definition (which is just one way to define racism), a caricature can certainly enforce a belief that a group is inferior to another. It's happened throughout our history (i.e., Sambo, Jezebel, Mammy) to enforce the belief that Blacks are inferior. Native Americans have frequently voiced their displeasure at teams like the Indians, Redskins, et. al., and find it offensive. If they used a Black face or a White face, would that be okay?

Answer 1

I think there's a few reasons. First, there obviouslt is not a huge public outcry about this - all you have to do is look at how many people have already responded that they don't see it as racist. Secondly, the organizations that work for the rights of Native Americans are not as outspoken as those who represent other minorities. I guarantee that if the team's name was chanhed to the ****** and their mascot become a characterization of a black man, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the NAACP and all of the other self appointed "spokesmen for the entire black race" would be all over the media about it.
I , as a person with some Native American blood, though not a lot, am offended by the fact that this mascot still exists, and am just as offended by some of the other team names, particularly the Redskins. While I do not consider myself to be the most politically correct person oon the world, and, yes, I do occasionally laugh at an ethnic joke or two, and appreciate the ability to laugh particularly at one's self, I don't understand how anyone, particularly of Native American heritage, can look at Chief Wahoo and not find it incredibly offensive, anymore then I could understand a white man defending the use of the name "Honkies" with a mascot using a rhythmless man in a leisure suit, or an Asian person defending the use of the name "Chinks" with a picture of a buck toothed Chinese man with a long mustache and one of those pointed hats.
I realize that the defenders of this name will bring up the fact that the team name is supposedly a tribute to Louis Sockalexis, a Native American player for the Cleveland Spiders in the 1890's, but to continue that logic forward would then allow me to say that perhaps the Dodgers should be called the "Coloreds" ( the acceptable term at the time for an African American) in honor of Jackie Robinson. Or perhaps the Giants should be called "The Micks" in honor of their great Irish manager John McGraw. Or maybe even the Tigers could change their name to "Flamers" to honor Billy Bean, the first openly gay player.
I know my answer will get a lot of thumbs down because I am obviously in the minority with my opinion. But the fact that so many people seem so insensitive to this type of thing only strengthens my belief that people in this country are only really concerned with the public perception of their own kind rather then the perception of all people.

Answer 2

As a Native American, I see where you're coming from. The Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Redskins, and numerous college athletic programs have been approached to change their names and logos to something less offensive. The Braves have so far changed their logo from the Indian head to the A they wear now, but it still contains a tomahawk. If I remember correctly the Blackhawks refused to change their name or logo because they stated that the name was reminiscent of the WWII Blackhawk helicopters, though their logo is clearly depicting an Indian head not a helicopter. I don't recall if there is any information regarding a possible change for Cleveland's logo. As long as their allowed to keep the logo, they will, it's a money maker.

Answer 3

These logos objectify and diminish Native people. Because these logos are owned by the privileged power elite in the US they are racist. I work with Native students in the schools and their families. These images are harmful to Native students. The images and associated antics of the fans hurt students personally but more damaging is the fact that they reinforce Native stereotypes and justify racist attitudes toward Native people.
If you are a Native American and do not find these images offensive you are either missing the point or have become so assimilated that you have internalized the societal racism towards Native people in America.
Just because something is familiar or an athletic tradition does not make.
To the many in the Native community the word "Indian" is equal to other defamatory slurs. The Cleavland *******, Chinks, Kikes, Wetbacks, etc... would not be acceptable and neither is the Cleavland Indians.

Answer 4

Obviously you don't understand the concept of racism.

Racism: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

I fail to see how a charicature is a belief or a doctrine.

@ Additional Info: I would have no problem with using a charicature of a white person, it's just that the name wouldn't fit too well then. A picture or image can certainly be used in a doctrine, but the terms are obviously not interchangeable. You are targeting a harmless picture which no one actually associates with Native Americans. Rather than fighting this pointless battle, why don't you actually combat racism and start giving seminars at elementary schools about how there are valuable things to learn about all cultures?

Answer 5

I see your point! I can't believe the Pirates keep their racist logo as well. I had a friend who was a Pirate and he didn't wear a f#$king patch! He finds their logo extremely offensive and I do as well! Many other Pirates have been outspoken about this as well. I also had a friend who's a Giant and he was offended by teams using their names. "You don't see teams called the midgets now do ya'?" he'd say. My suggestion: Get out of the baseball section and ask some questions in the "Arts and Humanities" section. Paint a rainbow if you're depressed. Think of it in away that are Native American friends could be proud. For example, The enemy marches onto the homeland trying to take away their dignity....Led by Chief Lofton, the tribe fights off the opposition! WAWAWAWAWAWA!

Answer 6

It's racist to Indians. Amazing to me how white people speak for Indians all the time. Ask ANY Indian you like and none will like that racist mug. The name 'Indians' is all right, but must we be portrayed as red nuts. You know what the 'n' word is for Indians? Redskins. So you see, we don't like 'Native Americans', either, because we don't like to be called Americans. American Indians is fine because the adjective is American but the noun is Indian. Tomahawk chop and that stupid Hollywood music? Really, it make me sick. Thanks for asking, though. Hope the other answerers here at least check in with a person raised Indian before they tell everybody what they 'know'.

Answer 7

They do it for the same reason the Notre Dame Fighting Irish keep their "racist" logo: It's only offensive to a small number of stick-up-the-butt, politically correct enforcer types. I'm not offended by Notre Dame's Irish caricature. It's just a mascot. People need to grow up and stop being so overly sensitive about Chief Wahoo. There are more important issues in the world to be concerned about than a cartoon.

Answer 8

I think they are trying to faze out the image with the letter I.
But there is something about growing up with Chief Wahoo, its like you don't even associate him with native Americans nor do you associate him with being racist. At least that's the way my friends and family feel, they look at him as being a cartoon, no way associated with a Native Americans. I know it sounds crazy, but that is how a lot of people here feel(not everyone but a lot). I do understand when they say its a racist logo, but I guess it depends on how you look at it.

Answer 9

To the Native American Who should understand our countries history since you are vital part of it, I must tell you that the black hawk helicopter was first built in the 70s. that is a few years after wwII.

Answer 10

The name of the Cleveland team is the......Indians. Now, what logo should they use? Only a racist would interpret Chief Wahoo as being a racist logo. Don't root for the Indians if it makes you cringe. Simple as that.