The Smithian

Perhaps the biggest problem with the use of ‘Indian’ imagery, nicknames and mascots in sports is that most people, outside of established activist circles, don’t seem to think of it as much of a problem at all.  In my day job I write about baseball.  From time to time I will interact with other baseball fans and make relatively mild comments about the Cleveland Indians’ ‘Chief Wahoo’ logo being racist, or that the word “Brave” when describing an Indigenous person is bigoted, or that the ‘Tomahawk Chop’ regularly practiced at Braves’ games is insensitive at best and completely reprehensible at worst.  Even in these rather tepid critiques, I often elicit a reaction of surprise and anger.

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