The Best Offense
The NCAA Wednesday asked 29 Colleges and Universites to fill out a survey questioning the use of their nicknames and logos. The NCAA's Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee wants to investigate possible concerns about controversial names and mascots. Expect to hear more on this, but perhaps not for years. I suspect the all-powerful alumni donors to these schools will keep them from ever changing their names, but I’d like to think most of us would want to see it happen.
I know that some media refuse to use the name “Indians” or “Redskins,” for example, nor their caricature logos, when referring to the pro sports teams – the Star Tribute used to be one of them but must have had an editorial re-staffing or simply a reconsideration because it’s started printing them again in recent years. Whether they were trying to shape public opinion or reflect it, I'll never know.
I’d have to say that it might bother me if there were a Division I school team with a name like “The Pollacks” or maybe a school with a mascot of a belligerent, leprechaunic Irishman.
Yes, it just might.
I know that some media refuse to use the name “Indians” or “Redskins,” for example, nor their caricature logos, when referring to the pro sports teams – the Star Tribute used to be one of them but must have had an editorial re-staffing or simply a reconsideration because it’s started printing them again in recent years. Whether they were trying to shape public opinion or reflect it, I'll never know.
I’d have to say that it might bother me if there were a Division I school team with a name like “The Pollacks” or maybe a school with a mascot of a belligerent, leprechaunic Irishman.
Yes, it just might.
posted by ab at 2/17/2005
1 Comments:
as somebody who attended the University of Illinois, i can tell you the chances of the Fighting Illini ever being renamed are remote. it seems to be a common thread of my experience that where and how you are raised determines your beliefs more than other factors, and most people in Illinois are used to referring to The Chief as a tradition honoring native americans. my impression is that the mascot is some white guy prancing around a football field / basketball court at halftime wearing a rediculous headdress. supposedly the costume / headdress and dance are authentic native american ceremonial halftime garb and authentic native american discoteque moves. my question is thusly: shouldn't the people being represented by these schenanigans be the ones to decide if the behaviour is offensive, not the people putting on the show?
also, we're number one!
Post a Comment
<< Home