NCAA plays the name game
As Shakespeare's Juliet put it, What's in a name?
While I may not have the answer to that question, I will say that the NCAA's stance on politically incorrect nicknames smells of everything that is - not so sweet. Last summer, college sports' governing body made the bold move of threatening to place a ban on all Native American nicknames for postseason play in all sports, at the very least. The reasoning behind this was that the nicknames were basically dehumanizing Native Americans as a whole.
My question is: Why did the tribes that were so offended not make a move to change those names that degrade them?
Almost immediately after the NCAA's announcement, the Seminole tribe of Florida said it would be acceptable for Florida State University to continue its use of the nickname Seminoles for its sports teams.
So much for the NCAA's thinking that everyone and their mothers are greatly offended.
My gripe is that the NCAA should butt out of this - if the tribes want a change, then they can contact the universities involved. If the tribes say it is fine to use the names, then let the names go. Political correctness has no reason to be in sports. The nicknames are simply paying homage to the tribes that formerly inhabited the region, which is completely harmless.
The bottom line is that the NCAA should stick to naming national champions, not universities' sports teams.
Change is a wonderful thing
I know if Ohio's mascot was the Fightin' Fluffy Kittens, the football team would catch a little bit more sarcasm than they would as the Bobcats, but is there any problem with being a little PC - politically correct to you laymen - in the sports world?
Of course, Bobcats is not offensive, at least until we learn to communicate with felines. Ever seen the episode of The Simpsons when the dolphins attack? Scary stuff.
You all know the names: Braves, Seminoles, Fighting Sioux (oops, not anymore) and so on, but is it so horrible to take Native American names out of school nicknames?
I do not think the world would necessary be a better place without the offensive nicknames, but it could be a little bit more FC - that's a Shugar-ism I just made up meaning factually correct.
For instance, the Cleveland Indians should no longer tarnish the reputation of Major League Baseball with Chief Wahoo and the Native American theme. For the sake of the sport, I propose the new name Cleveland Choke Artists. Perhaps the fans may feel a bit disrespected, but at least all the peoples of the American melting pot would not be offended. Well, except the choke artists.
Then there's the Atlanta Braves. Let's get the tomahawk chop and Braves name right out of that organization and find something more suiting. Since Choke Artists has already been thrown out there, how about the Atlanta Pennant Winners. 50 years from now, when a few of my friends might be on their deathbeds, perhaps a miracle will occur, and Atlanta will win a World Series - then we can rename the team.
See, it's just that simple, and I have a million more ideas just like that swimming around in my brain like it was the popular kid's pool party. Now I just need to find a way to get paid.
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Jason Fazzone
