I wrote a blog post about a year ago about team names. I was specifically talking about the Washington Redskins and my beloved Cleveland Indians. The issue has been a hot button topic for years and continues to be to this day. In fact, just two days ago a federal judge ordered the cancellation of Redskins’ trademark registrations.
We live in an ever changing world. Gay marriage is now legal. The flag of the confederacy is in the news and offends everyone to the point where The Dukes of Hazzard toys will be skyrocketing in price because you’ll never to be able to buy another. Donald Trump hates Mexicans, Ariana Grande hates Americans and ‘maliciously licks’ donuts. (What the fuck is that by the way?) I don’t care to comment on any of these issues other than to say I think many folks take thing way too seriously. I’ll leave it at that.
I got this email forwarded to me this morning. It’s supposedly a letter written to the editor of The Chicago Tribune. I can’t validate that nor do I care to take the time to do so. Regardless… it’s written in a very tongue in cheek manner but if you’re able to read between the lines you’ll see that its author is basically poking fun at what I’d consider an over the top politically correct landscape we’re living in. Read and enjoy. But whatever you do… don’t have an opinion. You’re bound to piss someone off.
Letter To The Editor – Team Names
Here is an e-mail sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after an article he published concerning a name change for the Washington Redskins.
Dear Mr. Page: I agree with our Native American population. I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward.
Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns.
The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the ’60s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to white folks.
The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men’s lives.
I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.
Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.
The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children.
The Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our children.
The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message to our children.
So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress loves..
As a die hard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the Beavers (especially when they play Southern California. Do we really want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???)
I always love your articles and I generally agree with them. As for the Redskins name I would suggest they change the name to the “Foreskins” to better represent their community, paying tribute to the dick heads in Congress.
