Renaming something if the minority doesn't mind but the majority does

[HMS_Irruncible]

@Velocity

Suppose, hypothetically, that a sports team had an offensive-sounding name, but the minority in question (not necessarily Native Americans - could be any other ethnic/racial group, or category of people) - actually did not mind the name, and in fact liked it - but most white people thought the name was awful. In such a situation, whose opinion should hold greater sway?

I’m not a fan of using ethnicities as team names. But the Washington (former) Redskins are a private business, and I’d expect the owners to choose whatever branding makes the most money for them.

In fact I would suggest that this is exactly what happened. The team realized that the diehards for the Redskins name aren’t the economically important majority, so they ditched the name for broader appeal.

Or are you suggesting that some secret decision-making body forced the Redskins to make a business mistake?

[RickJay]

@Cheesesteak

Consequently, if Native Americans overwhelmingly loved the Atlanta baseball team because of it’s positive acknowledgment of their history as a people, it would be inappropriate for me to be insulted on their behalf. They’re not children, they can decide for themselves if references to their culture are positive or negative.

Sure, that makes sense. It’s really only theoretical, but I wholeheartedly agree you’d have to take that into consideration.

Actually, it’s NOT theoretical - as someone has already pointed out, this might in fact be the case for the FSU Seminoles. I’m not saying I support or oppose that name, but if the Seminole people are big fans of it, you have to take that into account.

It’s not a trump card though. I really don’t care what percentage of native Americans are okay with “Redskins,” it’s a gross name and sets a bad example. “Braves” isn’t racist at all, but encourages a racist tradition I hope they can get rid of. “Indians” is only mildly insensitive now that the racist logo’s gone, but really that’s enough, and as I am on record as saying, “Cleveland Spiders” would be a thoroughly awesome new name anyway.

[TriPolar]

@HMS_Irruncible

Or are you suggesting that some secret decision-making body forced the Redskins to make a business mistake?

Everything that happens now is the result of a secret decision-making body. The only personal decisions we can make anymore are about which secret decision making body to blame.

[Skywatcher]

@Monty

@DrDeth: Yeah, right. And all those “put the white back in White House” stickers, signs, etc. had nothing to do with time-honored racism.

@Monty

While Obama was president, I saw plenty of those while I was in Georgia.

And “Make America Great Again” is clearly a dogwhistle for such racist shitheads.

[furryman]

There was a catholic school near me whose team was called 'The Christians". I wondered if the ever went up against a team named “The Lions”.

[BlankSlate]

@RickJay

…and as I am on record as saying, “Cleveland Spiders” would be a thoroughly awesome new name anyway.

I prefer the Cleveland Midges.

[ASL_v2.0]

@Skywatcher

And “Make America Great Again” is clearly a dogwhistle for such racist shitheads.

Yep. The Army recently launched an investigation into how MAGA ended up on its list of covert signals endorsing white supremacy.

Uh, because that’s how it’s used and meant?

[running_coach]

@BlankSlate

@RickJay

…and as I am on record as saying, “Cleveland Spiders” would be a thoroughly awesome new name anyway.

I prefer the Cleveland Midges. -

You wouldn’t even be able to see the mascot.