For those who do not know Jesse Watters, he's a commentator on Fox News. He's also a HUGE Eagles fan. I loved his take on this news. (Paraphrasing) "It doesn't matter what they change their name to, the Eagles are still going to beat them twice a year" I can remember the whole argument on the Redskins changing their name back when I was a teen in the 80's. This has been a long time coming but it finally took the threat of losing money from sponsorship for the Snyder family to retire the Redskins. Now whether you're on the side of retiring the mascot and name or not, it's not going to end here sports fans. There have already been past campaigns and partial successes against the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Florida State Seminoles and Kansas City Chiefs. Now there is an editor with the Washington Post calling for the Texas Rangers to change their name, claiming the name "Rangers" and "Klansman" are synonymous. For us sports fans, this is only going to continue and get worse. The Vikings, Raiders, Buccaneers, Pirates, hey...you guys raped, pillaged and plundered. Your moniker has to go because it's offensive. I wish people would leave sports alone and quit peddling politics. Sports, be it football, baseball, basketball etc is the one thing that unites people. No one sees race, atrocities or anything else when they are watching their preferred sport. All they see is their particular team playing a GAME against and opposing team. Quit making it more than that.
Politics and sport have been intertwined since the gladiator days. There is no separating the two. I don't agree with destroying or altering the history and culture of sports either, but it must be acknowledged and absorbed and allowed to evolve. The Redskins name was particularly offensive because of the fact it recalls judgement passed on people based solely on the color of their skin.This country committed genocide against the First Nations and the discrimination continues based on the color of their skin. It's about time.
Puka is right. Washington was the worst. They are now changing. That is a big step. The Cleveland AL team has also removed their offensive mascot, which is also a step in the right direction. I personally stopped using the term "Indians" to refer to Native Americans in the late 80s when I was in grade school, because it's just inaccurate. I've never understood why people continued, after they understood that they weren't in India, where the actual Indians live. Lets not make this a political issue. Its a human issue. We can all be better. If the thread becomes a political one, it will be closed.
Whether anyone refers to indigenous people of the North American continent as native Americans or Indians, I’m indifferent on the topic. While stationed at Fort Sill, OK I knew many. Some referred to themselves as native Americans, some as Indians. To each his own but the removal of the Cleveland Indians mascot as offensive? It was nothing more than a caricature cartoon. If folks are offended by a caricature cartoon, then those same folks need to be offended by any and all caricature art...including one of themselves. Sports are supposed to be an outlet from the stress of everyday life. If you don’t like this sport, that sport; this team or that team then simply don’t watch. Leave those of us who truly love the games for the purity of the sport itself alone. Quit injecting politics into everything!
Politics is already in everything. Plus I don't see you complain about playing the National Anthem before each game, because that is politics as well. Just saying, when people complain about politics in games they are only complaining about politics they don't like. Heck using the Indian name is political
The playing of the national anthem before a game isn’t political at it. It’s patriotism, showing pride in being an American, pride in your nation and SHOULD be a symbol of unity, despite our differences, we all live in the greatest nation in the world and thankful for the blessings we have have. Patriotism and politics are two completely different things
My personal belief is that if a name is derogatory it should be changed. I dont see what is derogatory about the names Chiefs or Braves in any way. If someone does and wants to explain I'm open to that. Indians yeah I can see why Native Americans wouldnt like that.
