In 1932 an enterprising newspaper cartoonist linked a caricatured Native American to the Cleveland Indians baseball team.
Over the years that symbol, redesigned multiple times into the more familiar logo we know today, has become the team's mascot, Chief Wahoo.
For some, the chief is a beloved symbol of tradition that honors our land's first settlers. For others, he's a stereotype with roots in racist mockery.
In the past several years, sports teams have been under fire for the use of Native American names, logos and mascots. Some of those teams have changed their names and branding. But others, most notably the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians, have not.
Until now, that is. This week Major League Baseball and the Indians announced Chief Wahoo will be retired from players' uniforms starting in 2019. But the iconic and controversial logo will still be used on merchandise.
Some fans are outraged the team would give in to what they see as unwarranted criticism. Others say it's about time. And still others say it's a half measure and that Chief Wahoo should be banished completely.
We want to know what you think. Should sports teams keep Native American references, including team names and symbols like Chief Wahoo, even if some find them offensive? Or do you believe they no longer have any place in professional sports?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, Feb. 7. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.
Last Week: Cloning?
Last week's question was about the renewed controversy over cloning after scientists in China successfully cloned primates-man's closest relative. Do you think continued research and experimentation into cloning is a good thing overall? Or are you against it?
From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette
- Clone organs.
- It doesn't really matter if people are for it or against it. If it can be done medical research will do it. Too much money involved. The medical field is out of control.
- Will good come from it? Maybe. Eventually. Probably not much in our lifetimes. I can see a whole lot more harm being done with it though. Ethics is a theoretical concept when applied to science and history has proven all good things are subjugated by greed, envy and wealth. It's scary.
- The idea of cloning humans makes me feel ill.
- By doing so, what will it prove and why?
- I'm for it. As long as they clone ME and not my kids.
- It will certainly continue and eventually be perfected, driven by $$$. For good or bad, who knows? Both most likely. The cloning of pets should be a big market, as well as mice for pharmaceutical research.
- Don't do it!!
- Cloning best left alone.
- Stem cells yes, this no.
- Make a thousand Trump clones watch snowflakes melt
- Do they claim to clone your soul? Only God can create perfect eternal life.
- I would love to have a couple of clones exactly like me. I'd be unstoppable!!! lol