in light of events that occurred in 2020, i felt an imperative need to come back to this blog post. the Indians are currently in the process of reviewing their team name and will most likely move on from it within the next two years. since the team was named for the/their first Native American baseball player from the late 1890s, Penobscot Louis Sockalexis, i do not see the name as being offensive or representative of malicious intent. however, i can understand why Native Americans believe it is an unacceptable moniker. i also sympathize with their fight against racism and for justice and equality. i know the purpose of all the protests was to be heard; i hear you.
while i can't take back what i wrote here in 2018 (i refuse to merely delete the post as if it never existed), i want to take accountability for things that i said that could be construed as insensitive and inappropriate. i am always going to associate warm feelings with the Chief Wahoo because it takes me back to my childhood and it played a large part in my becoming a fan of baseball. but i acknowledge that those joyous feelings are not shared by everyone. i was wrong to propose that people not take offense to the Wahoo and the Tribe's name. i see things from both sides now, whereas i was unwilling to before, and i have no animosity toward those who disagree with my stance on this matter.
i apologize if my thoughts and feelings in this post were triggers for people who have an opposing view and if i came off as condescending. i'm truly sorry to anyone i hurt. i have and always will be very passionate about this Cleveland baseball team, but i want to make it abundantly clear that i do not wish any pain or ill will on any race. as someone who has a very hard time with change and will again need to go through a grieving period before i can accept the new reality, i sincerely hope the change that's forthcoming can somehow bring peace to all those who seek it.
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START OF ORIGINAL POST:
by now you've all heard the news that the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo logo will be no more come 2019. i can't say i'm surprised because yes, i did know this was going to happen eventually. but getting word of the actual "expiration date" and learning that 2018 will officially be the final year that we see the Chief on the Tribe's hats and jersey sleeves is certainly a tough pill to swallow.
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| photo courtesy of celinacolombo.wordpress.com |
i wanted to wait a little bit after the announcement on January 29 before compiling yet another blog with my reactions, thoughts, and support of the Chief. i needed to cool down; otherwise, this post would have been laced with
