There is a growing demand that the Washington Redskins
National Football League club relinquish the use of their nickname of 77 years,
as it could be offensive to some Native Americans. President Obama himself has
weighed in on the matter, siding with those trying to force the club to change
its name. I couldn’t agree more, yet, after an extensive review ten minutes of browsing team names across the
sports spectrum, I must report that there are numerous other offensive team
names that should be changed. Some are offensive on their face, many are
non-inclusive, and a few are more subtly demeaning. All are
politically-incorrect! The following is a partial list.
Major
League Baseball
*Cleveland Indians…really?
“The Tribe”? (This could potentially be demeaning to Native Americans and IT support guys from the
sub-continent!).
*Kansas City Royals…well,
la-di-da isn’t this high-brow
salute to monarchy a kick in the pants to regular folk. Talk about your
‘one-percenters’. This name must be dropped now.
*Los Angeles Angels
(of Anaheim)…typical Orange County Republicanism. Mixing religion and sports is
not what our founders intended. Also,
do fans really want to believe in something that can’t be seen or
scientifically proven. (I mean other than global warming, of course).
*Minnesota Twins…there
are no set family norms anymore. One, or three kids are o.k., as well. In fact,
childlessness is a great option, too!
*New York Yankees…OMG!
White wealthy types that worship business. Those “Damn Yankees”? And with all
of the historical connotations? I suppose they wouldn’t just like to play Atlanta in the World Series, but burn it to the ground afterwards, too?!
And, speaking of which…
*Atlanta Braves…A little different take on this one. I
would’ve thought such overt sexism would
be extinct by now. What about the squaws young Native American women?
*Chicago White Sox…a
little too caucasion and clean for my
liking.
*Toronto Blue Jays…what
about the gray jays, brown jays and green jays? Or even the Steller’s jay or
the Pinyon jay? How are they supposed to feel? Criminy!
*Arizona Diamondbacks…well,
excuse us! "Saphirebacks" or "Amethystbacks" not good enough for you?
*Chicago Cubs…of
course, it’s all about the youth culture. Talk about ageism. “Cubbies”? Yeesh.
*Houston Astros…why
not the Elroys or Georges or Janes? Orbitys?
*Milwaukee Brewers…why
not Vintners then? Or Distillers? And really, nice to advertise booze across the land, anyway! Was
“Crystal -Meth Makers” taken? Perhaps the Milwaukee “Recovering Alcoholics”
would be a better fit for our times.
*Los Angeles Dodgers…is
this code? Draft-dodgers maybe? Hmm? That would be okay, but just asking.
*Pittsburgh Pirates…this
is disgusting. Headband, skull and crossbones…and an eye-patch? Really? This brutal stereotyping has got to stop. No
sensitivity here.
*San Francisco Giants…I
frankly would’ve expected better from San Francisco. What about the little guy?
*Washington Nationals…I
can almost hear the militaristic,
xenophobic martial music now! Jingoistic clap-trap from overly patriotic
right-wingers to be sure.
San Diego Padres…another
case of overt religious favoritism and insensitivity. San Diego “Imams” out of
the question, I suppose? It's also appropriation!
This is
just major league baseball! Due to space constraints I will have to issue
follow-up reports for the other sports at a later date.
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