Mascot Issue (AGAIN)

Or we could leave it the way it is and tell everyone who doesnt like it to go to h*ll

I agree with that as well.

But if we have no other options I think those are the two best alternatives.

Freedom of speach, plain and simple. Well if they take Redskins away we can change our name to Black skins and see who we offend there.

Regardless... it's not changing. Snyder has too much money and too good of lawyers for that shit to change.

I really don't care either way. It obviously doesn't offend that many people, and you can't appease everyone. To be honest your probably offending more people by changing it then by leaving it alone.

I know, I know, we've covered this a million times. However, tonight the Illinois Illini intend to retire their mascot, Chief Illiniwek (a chief in stereotypical Native American garb).

Maybe the U. of Illinois should spend less time concerned about some dude dancing at halftime and more time dealing with things like this (http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_051143642.html)

you know, we had some serious pc bullshit decision here at William and Mary, being forced to remove their Feathers!! thats right I said f e a t h e r s. The nickname is the 'Tribe'. really, is that offensive? But florida can still do all their antics, which I dont find offensive either. Oh brother, what is going on here........

NCAA rules 'Tribe' not offensive; objects to feathers

News (http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=1150) · W&M News (http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=1472) · 2006 archive (http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=5506) · NCAA ruling on Tribe
Author: Brian Whitson, Source: W&M News
Date: May 17, 2006
http://www.wm.edu/news/images/tpjone/tribelogo.jpg
Related content
See President's letter to the community concerning the NCAA ruling (http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=5855).

William and Mary will appeal a recent ruling by the NCAA stating that the College should stop using two feathers on its athletic logo. In that same ruling, issued in a letter May 16 to William and Mary President Gene R. Nichol, the NCAA review committee did agree with the College that the nickname “Tribe” is not offensive.

“We learned last evening that the NCAA staff review determined the use of the nickname ‘Tribe’ by our athletic teams was neither ‘hostile or abusive,’” Nichol wrote in an e-mail to the campus community and alumni. “The report did object, however, to the use of the feathers as part of our sports logo. We will appeal the ruling as it applies to the logo.”

Nichol added, “The good news, of course, is the NCAA has agreed with our assessment of the term ‘Tribe.’ The nickname—so close to the heart of this community—will remain the College’s moniker.”

In 2004, the NCAA requested that several member institutions, including William and Mary, submit a self-evaluation to determine if the Native American imagery or nicknames used at the schools were hostile or abusive. Schools found in violation would not be permitted to wear the offending logos during postseason competition or be allowed to host postseason NCAA athletic events on their own campuses.

The College will appeal the ruling regarding the use of the feathers to the NCAA’s executive committee and expects a decision by the end of the summer, said William T. Walker, associate vice president for public affairs at William and Mary.

“It boggles our minds that the NCAA would find objectionable what William and Mary does, and at the same time find acceptable what schools like Florida State University do,” said Walker, referring to FSU’s use of a spear-wielding warrior during football games.

“Perhaps it is the absurdity of judgments like these that is causing the U.S. Congress to consider taking this matter out of the hands of the NCAA,” Walker said. “The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and several of his colleagues have introduced legislation that would forbid the NCAA from regulating mascots and nicknames.”

Several schools, including Florida State, have been removed from the list because the NCAA ruled that “namesake” tribes have given authority to use the nicknames. William and Mary uses the generic nickname Tribe. William and Mary does not have a mascot.

“The nickname Tribe connotes the strong sense of community at William and Mary,” Walker said. “It is meant to signify the affirmative and inclusive nature of our campus community, our strong commitment to each other. We are pleased the NCAA agrees.”
Contact Us (http://www.wm.edu/news/?id=5854#) © 2007 The College of William & Mary

Anyone else think this is WAY out of line or what?! I hope the U.S. House of Rep. prevails.

My whole problem with this is the sensitivity of everyone in the world today. Come on, every heritage has been persecuted on some level.

Yes the term can be perceived as derogatory, although most slang terms can be derogatory given the context. I hate to say it, but this is the same argument most politicians use. Everything today must be considered in the context that they are used, but it is the implied intent of the comment that should be analyzed.

For example as mentioned earlier, if someone refers to say "Blackskins" and identifies that moniker with a Zulu Warrior, anyone who is educated should know that this is the contemporary equivalent of respect and admiration for warrior who at the time was considered primitive, and later proved to be a worthy adversary of the most fearsome military in the world. I would say that in this context this was a show of respect and admiration for the warrior spirit inherit to this culture and should be appreciated by it's people. But if they are too ignorant to understand context and it's applications in the world today, then I say ---- them!!!!!!

Irish Skins Fan

I am Cherokee and have no problem with the name. Those who are offended by such trifles have too much time on their hands. Why give so much power to a word? Usually it is people who have low self worth and self loathing who get all aggro over silly things like this anyway.

I just think there is something inherently patronizing about someone from outside of that ethnic group dictating to them what they should and should not be offended by.


I find it somewhat interesting that so-called civil libertarians who get so riled up about the "PC police" think that no one has the right to get offended.


If both of you go back and look, you will find that nowhere in any of my posts do I imply that people 'don't have a right to be offended'.

I question the right of people who are offended to force someone into action in order to conceed to the offended party's demands.

Sheriff:

When much of this controversy started about 8-10 years ago, I suggested to some colleagues that there was a simple solution to the problem:


Keep the name Redskins.

Change the logo on the helmet to a potato.


No one liked the idea then; I doubt lots of folks would like it now. But it might stop the focus on the team name and allow people to focus on the team performance - - which is a lot more important to me. :soapbox:

How about a sun-burned picture of my ass??!!