Despite the half-assed efforts the Cleveland Indians have taken to move away from their undoubtedly racist logo and insensitive namesake, Native American groups still plan to hold protests prior to the team taking the field Monday against the Red Sox for opening day.
According to FOX 8 out of Cleveland, these groups will largely focus their attention on the Chief Wahoo logo which the Indians have been phasing out over the past couple of years. Yet the moniker still remains on home caps and the sleeves of the franchise’s jerseys.
“We’re nobody’s mascot,” said Philip Yenyo, executive director of the American Indian Movement of Ohio.
Several Native American organizations are holding a conference at Baldwin Wallace University this weekend to denounce the Indians name and its longtime mascot, Chief Wahoo. Like in past years, they plan to demonstrate in front of Progressive Field on Monday.
“These things that are put out there, these stereotypes of human beings are wrong, and no matter what nationality you are…and it’s time for us to finally stand up and continue this fight and say it’s wrong. We need to change this as a society,” Yenyo said.
And much like the debate with any sports team that uses racially insensitive names or logos, the justification for keeping things as is… well is just as absurd as the names and logos themselves.
“I feel the C is too generic, it could be Cleveland, it could be Chicago, it could be Columbus. I like Chief Wahoo, that’s what I grew up on,” said one fan.
“I’m on both sides because some people feel that it is offensive, but again, it’s been our logo for years,” said another.
“I don’t think it’s offensive, I know it’s been around Cleveland for a long time,” said another Indians fan.
There’s nothing like keeping an outdated, insensitive logo around that disparages an entire group of people because you’re afraid of the new moniker being ‘too generic’.
Anyways, the Indians released a statement regarding the continued controversy surrounding them:
“We are very cognizant and sensitive to both sides of the conversation…our fans’ deep, long lasting attachment to the memories associated with Chief Wahoo and those who are opposed to its use. We continue to research our fan base to better understand their perception and stance on the logo, but at present time have no plans of making a change. We will continue to have the Wahoo logo represented on our uniforms and home cap during the 2016 season.”
We’re talking about sports here people. A billion dollar business that largely deals in aspects that aren’t real life. The concerns, reputation and respect of Native Americans is real and shouldn’t be placed a back burner in hopes the outcry will simply go away.
Change the name and the damn logo.
