NHL Chicago on team nickname re cultural/political changes UPD: bans costume headdresses

[DaBadGuy7]

Gotta hand to them for their insistence on keeping the logo, though I still believe the logo will be changed eventually.

 

[Yukon Joe]

First nations peoples I guess have to make a choice on whether they want their cultures to be relevant and mushed up, or pristine but less relevant. Reality is mainstream culture has long taken bits of trendy and interesting subculture and elevated it to greater popular circulation and exposure, but during this "appropriation" process it will become diluted and used in vulgar, low brow mediums like cheesy pop songs, mass market movies, crude childrens' comics/cartoons, sports team iconography, etc. This is not limited to racial culture but also all kinds of subcultures, art, cuisine, music, cuisine, and other niche. When a culture gets recognized and elevated in the public sphere its purity and authenticity will take a beating, but it will have exposure and more people who are inclined will learn more about the authentic side of it, people who wouldn't of it they hadn't had basic exposure. It's hard to imagine there being much long term appeal in this (undemocratic) idea that certain racial cultures are to be widely beheld and admired in the broad public sphere, but never touched by inspired artists, cooks, sportsmen, craftsmen, musicians, etc. unless they hold the proper (poorly defined) purity licensing.

At the way things are trending, the puritans seem to be winning and are successfully purging First Nations references from some of the most prominent popular venues around. Is the future then that their culture will be displayed only on poorly rated public broadcasting channels, sections of museums, and sparsely attended ceremony events? It could be geniunely considered a victory for this faction, others with an opposing viewpoint might disagree, and it could even lead to long term disinterest amongst people with that heritage. From polls I've read it seems most First nations' people are pretty split on the issue, but the puritans tend to be louder as they gain a sort of prestige currency from denounciations, which carries weight in certain lucrative academic, political and media circles. So these highly motivated activist climbers seem to carry the day over more easy going types.

I agree there is certainly a distinction between the activists and a lot of "regular" First Nations people. For starters a lot of First Nations people love hockey, and in BC I bet that makes a lot of them huge Canucks fans.

But as for your first line (in bold) - do you agree it's up to First Nations people though to make that choice, even if the rest of us disagree with it?

 

[Burke the Legend]

But as for your first line (in bold) - do you agree it's up to First Nations people though to make that choice, even if the rest of us disagree with it?

Oh yeah totally agree. I was trying to get that message across but maybe didn't explain it well. It's an interesting dilemma for them.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Oh yeah totally agree. I was trying to get that message across but maybe didn't explain it well. It's an interesting dilemma for them.

Cool. Wasn't meant as a "gotcha", I just wasn't clear where you were coming from.

I agree with you. Personally I think a lot of FN activists, and some leaders, are perhaps making some bad mistakes, but they are their mistakes to make.

 

[LadyStanley]

In wake of Indians’ decision, Blackhawks stay with team name

CEO Danny Wirtz reiterated the same message the team shared this summer after lingering questions about Native American team names returned to the forefront.

Nope. Not happening

 

[Yukon Joe]

In wake of Indians’ decision, Blackhawks stay with team name

CEO Danny Wirtz reiterated the same message the team shared this summer after lingering questions about Native American team names returned to the forefront.

Nope. Not happening

Disingenuous. Nobody is asking them to change their name.

It's the indian head logo that's in question.

 

[Devonator]

Orwell himself could not have predicted all of this politically correct nonsense!

 

[Nemec]

Just joining in after I saw the Chicago statement.
Teams should not be named after specific people. People should not be considered equivalent to mascots.
Would people be offended if the team were called the Chicago White People? Or the Chicago Trumps or the Chicago Obamas?

 

[tarheelhockey]

Just joining in after I saw the Chicago statement.
Teams should not be named after specific people. People should not be considered equivalent to mascots.
Would people be offended if the team were called the Chicago White People? Or the Chicago Trumps or the Chicago Obamas?

This would be more like if an Atlanta area team named itself the Kings and pledged to use it as a platform for civil rights philanthropy.

Would that be offensive? I’m not sure. I’d lean more toward “no” than “yes”.

 

[Acesolid]

Just joining in after I saw the Chicago statement.
Teams should not be named after specific people. People should not be considered equivalent to mascots.
Would people be offended if the team were called the Chicago White People? Or the Chicago Trumps or the Chicago Obamas?

Nonsense. Ever heard of the Fighting Irish (among others)?

Should the Cleveland Browns be renamed because they dare be named after Paul Brown?

The 49ers are named after the people who came to Northern California during the Gold Rush.

Why exactly do you think the BOSTON CELTICS are named like that?

Ever heard of the New York Yankees? The Houston Texans? The Vancouver Canucks? The San Diego State Aztecs?

Etc... etc... etc....


This is complete madness.

 

[daver]

We should ask the Montreal hockey team to change their name just for kicks and giggles.