Saturday, August 27, 2005
On Native American Nicknames and Being Offended
Okay, time to pipe up on the NCCA and their war against Native American nicknames.
Native American Logos – Offence Anyone?
A couple of weeks ago the NCCA decided that Native American names for college teams should be removed, due to the insensitivity of the usage and the offense given to Native American populations. Since that time they have backed down now on the Florida State Seminoles and will probably be doing more so in the weeks ahead. Whatever you think of the decision by the NCCA, this latest move has proven that sports announcers may in fact be the stupidest people in the media, and that is saying quite a bit.
On what basis do I make such a statement? Listening Saturday morning (I guess it was about noon or so) to ESPN radio the host said, “If someone is offended, they you change so they aren’t anymore.” Now, that is quite a statement. If someone is offended? Lets see…
One of the ongoing concerns in both state governments and in the public overall about collegiate funding is the amount of money that goes to college athletics. Now, let me be clear, I bleed Black and Gold (University of Colorado – one of my many schools I graduated from), and sat freezing my backside in the bleachers during their 1991 Championship season. I love college football and hockey (go CC). But, college is supposed to be about educating young men and women for the future. The millions spent on college athletics and the attention and fawning directed at the athletes offends me, and many more like me. Now, ESPN has a new channel, ESPNU, that will broadcast all your favourite collegiate sports. So, since I am offended by the money and attention going to those who often never complete their education, is ESPN going to change? Are they going to cover only spelling bees and scrabble championships? No, and they shouldn’t. Clearly there is support for such venture and a market for them. It would be silly to force ESPN to change because I am offended, and even if 30% of the population is offended. If I want to make change, I can start by going to be local universities and lobbying for change there. And if people want to push for more money for athletics, that is fine as well.
The fact remains that people are going to be offended. We don’t have any inherent right not to be offended. Bill Maher, formerly of Politically Incorrect made very offensive statement about Christianity, including that we are all ignorant brain-washing people. Does that mean that Bill Maher will never be allowed back on the Larry King Show? No. If people want to see Bill and he brings in ratings, fine, put him on. I won’t watch.
Now, I do understand that the genocide (that is what it was) on the Native people’s of America is perhaps the only blight on our nation that comes close to slavery. We need to do more to open up opportunities for Native peoples, and actually keep some of our promises. But there are three realities about the use of Native people names:
1) The names are not chosen to offend but to honour. Come on folks, would you call yourself something you are ashamed of? Of course not. Now there are some that are in poor tastes – Redskins and Savages. But even those names have some elements of pride. Further, they can be dealt with on a college by college level.
2) Whatever happened to free speech? If I don’t like a college’s nickname, I can avoid going there. If I want to protest, I can. The NCCA has decided that free speech is only for some people, not all. Too bad, I actually thought college was about the sharing of ideas?
3) Like it or not, the majority of Native people’s support these names because they understand #1 and #2 above. Even Redskins have majority support.
Of course, the NCCA is just a symbol of an even greater issue. People, we must get over this “being offended.” In a day and age when people can call the President a terrorist, can call the pope a “raper of women” and any other myriad of silly and offensive things, all of which I support, then maybe we should give up on trying to control people’s words. If someone offends me, I will not support them – with my commerce, with my moral support, with my vote, or anything else. I don’t need the NCCA or anyone else to protect me.
Maybe we should remember the old kids rhyme, “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” When people commit real crimes, crimes of violence and extortion – prosecute them! When people offend you, work to prove them wrong. The biggest challenges that the Native peoples’ struggle with today are abuse, low education, and poor economic outcomes. That is where our energy should be directed, in large part because this is the vestige of 300 years of Manifest Destiny. And while we are at it, let’s remember to honour Native Americans – like using their proud image of determination and courage as our sport nicknames.
