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Chief Wahoo: Stay or Go?
- Filed under: Local
- Date: Jun 30,2008
Friday night I attended a party. That is not newsworthy. Also there was the owner / writer of local blog Cleveland Frowns. Typically drinking and talking politics do not mix well, and later in this particular night they did not. But prior to that, debate broke out over Chief Wahoo, the logo of the Cleveland Indians. The majority of our "panel" had no problem with the Indians logo; only a couple did. The discussion later shifted to Native American team names and logos throughout sports, but we kept coming back to the local baseball team.
Frowns just wrote a post called "The Curse of Chief Wahoo." It was an effort to get people to sign a petition to try and get the Indians to dump their controversial logo. The author said he had no objections to the name Indians, just the logo. He did not have a problem with the Washington Redskins because their logo was not so "disrespectful." It was, however, agreed upon by the group that if any name should go, it should be that of the Washington football team. Frowns said he had no quarrels with other teams using such names, such as local high school Copley. His argument was no different than anything you have heard before - Chief Wahoo is a racist caricature and is an insult to Native Americans….what if it were the Cleveland Hispanics or Cleveland Italians (or other slurs I can't print)……it is just like "Little Red Sambo"……it affects self-esteem of young Native Americans…..etc. At one point, someone even said the federal government should step in to force the removal of Chief Wahoo!!! The debate was respectful but the mind of no one changed; Frowns had a tough time convincing anyone to join his side and agree to sign the petition. On a side note, later that night red wine was spilled all over the white Obama shirt of one attendee. That made me smile.
Growing up an Indians fan (no longer for various reasons), Chief Wahoo was the Indians. The team was dismal and the old sign on top of Cleveland Stadium was the one constant other than the pathetic play on the field. Many fans were upset when the landmark did not make the trip to Jacobs Field in 1994. The infamous sign now rests at the Western Reserve Museum.
The baseball Indians will deny it, but there should be no question to any outside observer that the Indians are scaling back their usage of Wahoo. They introduced the awful "Script I" hats a few years back and now are wearing them more and more. Beloved by Indians fans, their mascot is reviled by activists as a highly offensive, racist stereotype. "It is absolutely racist," said Peter Roby, athletic director at Northeastern and former director of the Center for the Study of Sport and Society. Does anyone point to the Chief Wahoo logo and think "that is what all Indians are like." No. At least I don't think so. This area is full of Native American history. Cleveland is in Cuyahoga County - Native American for "crooked river." Cleveland is on the banks of Lake Erie - Erie was a tribe of Native Americans who lived along the southern shore of the lake. And, there is of course, the professional baseball team.
Racist logo? Should the Cleveland Indians completely get rid of it? They will never change their name in my opinion, like Miami University (Redmen to RedHawks) or St. John's University (Redmen to Red Storm) did. The University of Illinois just ditched their mascot, Chief Illiniwek. That might not be enough as there is still pressure for a total name change there. High schools are getting pressure to become politically correct also; Oberlin HS replaced their Indian mascot for this past school year. It is not far-fetched that someday soon that Chief Wahoo will be gone forever. Is this a matter of political correctness? It isn't a matter of political pressure, as American Indians frankly have very little clout in our political system (the only example I can think of is the circumstances surrounding Tim Johnson's reelection to the Senate in 2002 in South Dakota).
Reasonable people can disagree about whether the team name Indians and Chief Wahoo are offensive. Maybe because I grew up going to Cleveland Indians games I want to see it stay. I see the other side, though. In 2000 I worked on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota for a week. I didn't take my Indians hat that I wore every day; I had no idea how it would be received. It probably would have been fine as I could not count the number of Atlanta Braves or Florida State Seminoles shirts I saw that week. My thing is that if they didn't have a problem with it, why should I?
Disclaimer: I used to work for the Cleveland Indians. Many a day I had to listen to often rude people calling to complain or sort through nasty emails about Chief Wahoo. Maybe that has impacted my thinking on this topic. When someone yells or swears at me to try and change my mind, the opposite is usually going to happen.
20 Responses for "Chief Wahoo: Stay or Go?"
Ben,
One should never be surprised these days over a PC society choosing to be offended so that something of tradition can be replaced with something safer.
Personally, I am offended with the Patriot that New England uses. Our Founding Fathers must be rolling over in their graves with the insult to the Revolutionary army that such a protrayal implies. (sarcasm off)
My favorite mascot was the Braves' mascot from the early '80s- Chief Noc-a-Homa.
You should check contact the United Church of Christ (based in Cleveland). As a national church they have been for years pushing the elimination of Chief Wahoo as a racist stereotype. The UCC, by the way, is also Barak Obama's denomination.
I am not 'one of those people' but I think its about time to retire the Chief.
The name itself is not offensive to me but I can see how some may feel the indians logo is.
There are about 7654319 more pressing issues out there to deal with.
I wonder why you brought up Copley, so people would talk about your touchdown perhaps
GO TRIBE
Tim, I am never surprised about anything when it comes to the PC Police.
Chief Wahoo stays. That blogger is foolish if he thinks that Chief Wahoo is cursing the city. The Cleveland area teams have been cursed with poor management and at times a shortage of money. That's all.
Ben - The stain came out. Sorry buddy.
If I was an American Indian I would take the suckers to court for demeaning the Indian heritage by being so inept and lifeless.
Perhaps various groups could be formed and intitate class action suits defending the right for their favorite nickname to be universal. We could spend years and create quite a show as the issue winds its way through the court system. My personal favorite for a univerisal nickname is the INCLUSIVES
The Chief and the term "Redskins" seem obviously offensive. But I suspect there's a second reason Native Americans aren't listened to on this topic, in addition to the fact they have little political power–most either don't care or feel that the nicknames in general honor their history.
Not that much attuned to PC on this issue, but agree with DA on this issue. The logo is demeaning. I can't think of any other ethnic, religious, or nationality that is used in this way. Wait, what about the Milwaukee Braves?
If the Indians get a new hat will they start playing better? I hope so
protesters get a life
You never hear about Italians complaining about Super Mario or his sidekick brother Luigi. I mean here are two short, fat, Italian guys who both happen to be plumbers. I mean…WTF?
Mr. Henry Aaron has said publicly; "If the names, 'Braves,' 'Indians,' and/or 'Redskins' offend even one Native American, then it should be removed." He then went on to say something to the effect; "Just like Rosa Parks did on that bus years ago, the Native Americans are saying these names and images must go." I would also refer anyone who has, or doesn't have an opinion on this subject to the "Fryberg Report." This report was compiled by Stephanie Fryberg and has been accepted by almost every major psychiatric group in America saying this report proves the harm these names and mascots/logs have on Native AND Non-Native students.
Yup…chief wahoo has to go!
Being a native of Ohio, I've been away from Cleveland for 21 years. The biggest reminder of 'home' is seeing Chief Wahoo, either on a hat,a bumper sticker or a shirt. It's loved nationwide… I've seen it in many states from Ohio to California. It has been around for as long as I can remember and has been a constant part of Cleveland. In fact i am so proud of loving both, i'm about to get a tattoo of him on my ankle. Those who are against it, must not have anything touch them so deeply. It's about hometown pride,consistency and most of all a common love shared by more people than anyone can imagine. so for those who disagree, think about what's truly important to you,and consider what it means to us.
Anyone who is offended by a cartoon needs mental help. It is 100% wrong to give the rasberries to Chief Wahoo. He is an honor to Louis Sox Alexis a former player. It is a tribute to him. People who are ignorant do not understand this. Get over yourself. If this is the worst thing in your life, you need to get a life. If you don't like Chief Wahoo, root for the White Sox or something like that. Oh no…wait a minute…I used to have a pair of White Sox. That symbol really hurts. Get rid of the White Sox. That is really insulting to Black people. White Sox. Where do they get off? When will this end? Don't forget the Red Sox and the Redlegs (Cincinnati for those of you who are dumb). That is insulting to Indians too. Redlegs? Red Sox? Gimme a break. Take a hike you hippies!
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