I Found The "Cleveland Caucasians" Shirt Hilarious
That's because I don't go around all butthurt about everything, which many people seem to do as a form of identity.
So, to backtrack a little, ESPN, sports journalist Bomani Jones wore a shirt that, instead of "Cleveland Indians," read "Cleveland Caucasians."
Supposedly, it is a crime against everything good and right to have "Cleveland Indians" as a name.
From Raw Story's David Edwards, Jones said about the Indian guy on their shirts:
"The reason they won't get rid of Chief Wahoo -- it's completely indefensible -- is because they can still sell stuff with it," Jones added. "They can say they're going to deemphasize it, but they're not going to set money on fire.""If you're quiet about the Indians and now you've got something to say about my shirt, I think it's time for introspection."
Well, I wasn't in a panty bunch over the Indians (there or in any other sports team), nor am I in a panty bunch over the Cleveland Caucasians. I think it's very funny. I even want a shirt like that, save for how I don't actually wear any t-shirt with messages, save for a USMC one a Marine sent me that's, um, figure-fitting, and a pink "Yes To Michigan!" shirt, also figure-fitting, that I got in a thrift store in Joshua Tree 20 years ago.
And yes, I think it would be okay and quite funny to call the team the Cleveland Ashkenazi Jews and then have a little cartoon of a guy in a "Hey, 1892 Poland called and they want their look back" black hat and little ear curlies. (As long as it's a cartoon figure and it's funny and not some hate thing, why should anybody be mad?)
Though...admittedly...you'd better not hire Ashkenazi Jews (like me) for your basketball team -- if you'd like the team to win at basketball instead of chess.
RELATED: Who *Isn't* Complaining About "The Redskins"?
Well, the other "Redskins" team from Red Mesa High School -- a school with a population that is mostly Navajo.It's kind of like "queer." It used to be a term of disparagement. Gays reclaimed it.
Not only do the kids on the Red Mesa team not view it as racist, they seem to love it. Check out their mascot -- a painted-faced "brave" in a horse carrying a spear.
Agreed, as usual, but don't sell yourself short, Amy!
When Jews dominated professional basketball:
https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/11/25/when-jews-dominated-professional-basketball/
Senator Blutarsky at April 8, 2016 6:54 AM
Notice the first team. They could beat a team of 8-year-old girls -- maybe, if they tried really hard.
Amy Alkon at April 8, 2016 8:49 AM
you'd better not hire Ashkenazi Jews (like me) for your basketball team
Oh, I dunno, advanced analytics require some smarts. Billy-ball anyone?
Oh, wait, you mean in the field. Well, there's probably one or two who could make the Big Show.
I R A Darth Aggie at April 8, 2016 9:30 AM
And then there's our debt to Jews for bourbon:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/05/the-jewish-origins-of-kentucky-bourbon/392408/
I R A Darth Aggie at April 8, 2016 9:31 AM
Anyone remember the Fightin' Whities?
Back in 2002 an intramural basketball team at the University of Northern Colorado that had Native American team members named itself "The Fightin' Whities" in an attempt to insult whites the same way Native Americans supposedly felt insulted by Indian mascots. They made T-shirts that said "Fightin' Whities" with a picture of a stereotypical white man in a suit.
Of course white people love that kind of stuff. The T-shirts sold out, more were made and the team has been making money ever since.
http://www.cafepress.com/+fighting-whities+gifts
Ken R at April 8, 2016 10:10 AM
Without popular sports teams, most American Indian references would vanish. Most urbanites never think of any tribes from one day to the next unless they go to casinos or play Seminole bingo.
The NoDak Fighting Sioux was a far better way to acknowledge Natives than just erasing them by changing the name to the Fighting Hawks.
KateC at April 8, 2016 11:10 AM
The one I will never be able to wrap my head around... being upset at the name "Braves." Apparently, having had your entire culture called brave is now... disparaging... because the word is associated with you it can now not be used without being racist?
So, if we'd I dunno, called Asians as a group "smarts" it'd be racist to have a team called Smarts after them? Because we're clearly insensitive instead of honoring a trait we'd like to possess? Somehow?
No, I will never get it.
Shannon at April 8, 2016 1:33 PM
"Figure fitting"…
Sorry. What was the topic?
We'll come back to this later…
Radwaste at April 8, 2016 2:16 PM
Way, way, way back, when I was in college; when so many folks were all up in arms (I can't say they had their Irish up, now can I?) about the name "The Washington Redskins" a friend of mine (who is Jewish) wore a t-shirt which was the name of her choice for a fictitious team:
"The Washington Hebs"
It was something simple that she was able to do herself. The shirt was white with blue silk screening with the name The Washington Hebs and the logo was a Magen David.
I think most folks didn't get it; nor did they get why she made the t-shirt. I, on the other hand, found it quite funny. She offered to make one for me; but, I thought, not being Jewish, I wouldn't be able to get away with wearing it.
If we had computer printing available back then, she would have done, as you suggest Amy, and have that cartoon character with the old-world garb or something. She had that kind of wicked humor. (In my opinion there just aren't enough people with that kind of humor today - everyone's too busy being "offended.")
Also, today she would most likely be charged with committing a micro-aggression or something.
charles at April 9, 2016 2:51 PM
And, about the Fighting Irish (from a well-known comedian):
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=4911428&mesg_id=4919854
lenona at April 10, 2016 11:23 AM
"The one I will never be able to wrap my head around... being upset at the name 'Braves.'"
The ironic thing being, that the Atlanta Braves first acquired that nickname while they were located in Boston. At this point, one might ask oneself: "Boston Braves? What was up with that?" Well, one of the original owners, back in the 19th century, was an associate of Tammany Hall, the notorious political machine in New York. And Tammany Hall's logo was an Indian chief visage.
Cousin Dave at April 11, 2016 2:09 PM
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