What do you think?
Should teams begin to change their names out of respect for the indigenous population?
Explain.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Blog 16 - Monday, November 13, 2017
An extremely controversial topic is the name and/or mascot of certain professional teams. Many North American sports associations have used names and/or mascots that derive from indigenous culture. While many believe this is a way of honouring native culture, others argue that it is offensive and promotes harmful stereotypes.
What do you think?
Should teams begin to change their names out of respect for the indigenous population?
Explain.
What do you think?
Should teams begin to change their names out of respect for the indigenous population?
Explain.
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In my perspective, I think they shouldn't completely change their names, but maybe alter them a bit, so that they don't offend those who are offended by the original names. Although at the time it was named was most likely a time where it wasn't offensive to people, but out of respect for other people, it just makes sense to make everyone happier by altering the names.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be a good idea to change them to make people feel more comfortable.
DeleteI never believed that the team's names were offensive to the indigenous population. But now since I thought about it and read what other people think about this topic, I can see how this can be offensive to some people. Those people believe that the names and logos diminish the respect and dignity of the real people. Imagine if a professional sport's team logo and name was based off of your culture, would you feel disrespected somehow? I truly never believed that these were offensive, but this has gotten me thinking that maybe they should change their names.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you asked the reader if this situation happened to them. Great Blog!
DeleteI believe that the names of certain sports teams should be changed. It's completely inappropriate to have racial slurs as names for popular sports teams when there are other teams that have names like the Atlanta Falcons or the Denver Broncos which are completely harmless. The name Redskins should be changed specifically because it offends lots of people. Its also one of the only names if not the only name that is offensive to at least one group of people. It not fair to those who are offended by this that the football team continues to be called the Redskins.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Great blog!! I like your ideas and perspective
DeleteI never really thought names or mascots would offend people. Reading other peoples blogs I realized some people are offended by the names of teams. I don’t necessarily think all team names should change, but there are a few that should change their name or their mascot. I am not really good with sports and I do not really know any sport teams though, so I would not be able to give examples.
ReplyDeletei agree. they shouldn't have to change their names.
DeleteI think that if the majority of the population where the team is is against the name then I think that the team should change it but it is just a name and in my opinion I don't think that the name and or mascot of the sports teams are the most important thing I think that people should be paying attention on how they play and how skilled they are not what they call themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the names don't really change how the athletes play and changing the names could also affect their popularity and how much they earn.
DeleteI don’t think these teams should change their names unless there is a majority that is clearly against them or unless there are indigenous people that find them offensive. It’s not our culture and I don’t think we should judge what is offensive for them. They have also been around for a while and I personally haven’t seen much on the topic so unless there are a ton of people who are clearly against it I don’t see why they should change.
ReplyDeleteyeah, native Americans should be the ones to express if they think its offensive. I really find it annoying how other people who are not native Americans call it offensive. while there could be native Americans who think its cool but never express it because there isn't a need to.
DeleteI think that it would be ridiculous if they had to change their name. I don't really see why someone might think they are offending indigenous people. It is not as id they have a whole story written out about these people and they are getting things wrong and just stereotyping them, they are simply using their name or icon as a representation of their team.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that teams should not have to change names
DeleteThere is absolutely no way teams should need to change their names if they have the name of a indigenous culture. I cannot see how it is offensive in any way to them. I would feel honored and happy if a sports team was named after my culture, definitely not insulted. If the team does something insulting or says something insulting the the culture maybe their name should be changed, but otherwise their team name should stay the same. If a team has chosen a indigenous culture as their icon, its because it means something to them in a good way, so the cultures shouldn't be insulted. If mascots are doing insulting stuff to the culture then that should be changed but changing team names is way too far.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog good job.
DeleteI believe that it would not be very intelligent to change their name. It has been the same for many decades and why should they change it now after x amount of years. I do not think that they are making fun of them i think that they choose their name because it means something to the team. For example the red skins they choose that because the Algonquins where a very strong population. Their maybe a couple of people that make fun of it but the big ideas was not that.
ReplyDeleteVery good reasoning!
DeleteI know and watch many sport teams who have the names of indigenous people and culture, but I think it would be really hard to call a team like the Chicago Blackhawks a different name because they are known too well. Yes I do think they should try and change some aspects to their logo but I also think that it is late to change a big team and franchise's name like the Blackhawks. I think that this can be disrespectful if the people who are fans take this to far and start doing crazy stereotypes with the brand, but I also know that it isn't disrespecting if nobody is making fun of the indigenous population. My mind is half and half, so yes I think they need to change it, but only some little aspects of it, and yes they should keep it.
ReplyDeleteI have never thought of sport team names to be offensive in any way. I find that there really hasn’t been enough backup for the people demanding a name change, especially since I haven’t heard of the “controversial” topic of sport team names offending native people. I don’t see a single negative thing coming out of having a native-derived team name unless said team happens to suck at their sport compared to other teams and native people find that it makes people think they are just as good as those players. However I find this mentality a bit absurd since you can see that all the name represents in the name itself, not the team’s players and not any specific indigenous population.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned some really great points! Great blog Tim
DeleteI believe that if it is extremely offensive to society, then the teams should alter their teams names and mascots. Although, naming your team “ The Redskins “ in my opinion, is not that offensive. Although, I do not know much on this issue. It’s not like any teams are named “ The Nazis “ that would be extremely offensive. I’m not sure what I think about this, so i’ll stop writing here.
ReplyDeleteGood point, "the nazis" would probably be crossing the line.
DeleteI really thought that name and/or mascot of certain of professional teams were to honour native culture but apparently it can offend others. But I also think that they should change the name of the team if most people are offended but if most of the people think that it respects the indigenous population then they should not change the name. I think that many people get offended if the team have the name can be offensive but I do not think that mascots are as offensive. So
ReplyDeleteshould teams begin to change their names out of respect for the indigenous population? I think that it depends on who you talk to. But I personally think that they should change the name and/or the mascot if the people on the teams are offended with that name.
I understand why it could be offensive to some people, it could seem stereotypical and upset certain cultures. I don't think that its up to any one else other than native Americans to say if its offensive and that it should be changed. These teams have had these names for quite so time, why is it that its now offensive, is it because we live in a hypersensitive culture, I don't mind people being hypersensitive but it can cause arguments and problems. To sum up what I'm saying, it should be up to Native Americans to decide whether the names should be changed.
ReplyDeletei'd say that its the indigenous peoples choice. If they are against certain teams and want them to switch, then yes. But that ll also matter on the majority. for example if 80% like it and only 20% dislike it, the majority wins. I genuinely dislike it when people get angry for people who probably didn't even show anger to a certain topic in the first place. what i'm trying to say is, if they're okay with it and not protesting or anything like that , its cool. But if your not a native american and your trying to speak on their behalf without living/talking with native Americans then your just causing a unnecessary discourse that both sides didn't want in the first place. it reminds me of a socially media post where someone dressed up as a native american, and it was called offensive by non native Americans and started swearing and sending death threats to the person. Let the native american choose not you , unless you are a native american
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Hamed, you shared some really excellent points.
DeleteHow do people even know it's offensive if they're not native American, right?
DeleteI agree, no one should speak on what it's like to be Native unless they are, in fact, Native
DeleteI believe that when professional teams are being named, they choose names that would promote leadership and strength. A name that people in the crowds cheer to win and do their best. That is why I personally believe that they are not trying to promote offensive and harmful stereotypes, but to honor the native Americans. But, if people are finding it offensive(most importantly if a group of Native Americans speak out), then I believe that some adjustments to the name should be made. We all need to make sure that everyone feels comfortable, especially to the people whom we took the names from.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I think because everyone should be respectful towards others, great ideas!
DeleteI think that if a team name bothers numerous amounts of people, it should therefore be changed because if multiple people are offended I think it would be the right decision. Especially if there is a personal reason for them being affected by the name in a negative way. It doesn't even have to be personal it could be in general. Many people could of been already made fun of culturally and called a name which happens to be the same name of the team. I don't see why it would be so bad to change a name if people are insulted/offended, personally if I would be offended by a name, I would be so happy knowing that they changed their name to be kind to others. I think that's called being considerate because you are taking others feelings in consideration.
ReplyDeleteGood point!
DeleteAs I am not really into sports and I don't know much about teams, I still believe that they should keep their chosen names. Even though it could be offensive to several people, they could just get over it. It would be dumb to randomly change your teams name just because some people found it "offensive". If the team is not doing anything to be considered offensive, then they should not be forced to change it, whereas if they do do something that may be offensive they should consider changing their name.
ReplyDeleteI think that the most obvious example of an offensive team name is the “Washington Redskins”. The name in itself is a racial slur. Not only is the name offensive, but the use of the name by a bunch of non-indigenous hockey and football players is cultural appropriation, because they are referring to themselves as a racial slur. The name “Redskins” does not belong to the league officials, it belongs to the Native community. Anyone arguing that they can’t see how the use of this team name is offensive has an invalid point, because to my knowledge, no one in this class is native, so no one will understand what it feels like to experience prejudice against aboriginal people.
ReplyDeletei know that im late im sorry please dont yell at me
ReplyDeletealso the redskins are not a hockey team i meant blackhawks whoops im tired
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, the name could be viewed as really offensive to some people, Great blog!
ReplyDelete