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 Users strike back E-mailers say, loud and clear, 'Let the Seminoles be'
Posted: Monday May 17, 1999 05:58 PM
A recent column on team nicknames and sports -- specifically, the use of Native American names as sports teams nicknames and, more specifically still, Florida State's use of "Seminoles" -- brought a flood of e-mails. Many of the e-mailers got right to work calling me names. Which, when you get right to it, missed the point of the column completely. Or, maybe, they got the point after all. Whatever, there were e-mails from a few dozen Florida State fans in there, or at least a few dozen who identified themselves as FSU fans. (One, by the way, ended the note with a "FEAR THE SPEAR!" I'm not taking that as a threat. But, sticking with the column's theme, I wonder if that's the kind of image the Seminole tribe wants portrayed.) There were a few from FSU haters (you should have heard those nicknames), a couple from people who professed to be Native Americans and many, many, many who accused me of something no one in his right mind would want. Being politically correct. Oh, the horror. "YOU CAN NOT PLEASE EVERYONE. Political correctness is what is wrong with this country today. We live in the greatest country in the world, but if we tried to please everyone all the time, we would live in a world of anarchy," wrote Bobby Bellew . "Please don’t get me wrong, there are things that are objectionable, but you have to take each situation as it is." Or this: "Political correctness is killing free thought and expression. There is a price to pay for freedom and that price may include a few hurt feelings here and there,” writes J.D. Hope . "Would you consider it politically incorrect for me to call you an idiot?" Incorrect, I hope. But not politically so. Much of the outcry came from a question posed in the column: That, if one person objects because a name is considered offensive or derogatory, isn't it simply the right thing to do to make the change? No, no, a thousand times no, many said. "Last time I checked John, we operate in democracy that is ruled by a majority, not by the minority or by the voice of one dissenter. What do you consider legitimate? I certainly don’t think that using Indian nicknames is wrong. In fact, I think most universities use it as source of pride and honor," tapped Brett Nakfoor . "Maybe we could all be as gutless and spineless as Stanford University. I shudder to think what it will be like when Bird groups band together and demand that the Stanford Cardinal change its nickname since it offends avian creatures of all species." Obviously, my question was not a call for change any time someone finds something vaguely problematic. The point is that this is not one person but many objecting to what they consider offensive nicknames. And if the name itself is not inherently offensive -- being called a Seminole, for instance -- being positioned as a mascot of a sports team is downright degrading, many argue. The biggest problem many e-mailers had was this: If it isn't degrading to the Seminoles tribe, why should anyone care? "The team is not reducing a group of people to a mascot level, they are identifying with that group," wrote Robert Holcomb . "If they were using it as a derogatory term, would they be naming their team after it? It’d be like “The University of Alabama Dumbasses”. Can you imagine the alumni meetings? “Yahoo! We’re the Dumbasses!” The real Seminoles seem to get what it is all about. Why can’t everyone else?" Your point is taken, Robert. Especially, you have to be sure, by the Crimson Tide alumni. "You don’t get it, do you? Though other schools, such as Miami and St. John's, have succumbed to the liberal intelligentsia agenda within their respective infrastructures, those peon schools do not have anywhere near the financial backing of their athletic programs that FSU has. Many wealthy football boosters have made their feelings known: change the name, and find other $50,000+ donors to fund the Eagles (as they no doubt would be called, a la Marquette)" Jonathan Leffingwell , an FSU grad, writes. "There is also a philosophical point here. Why should FSU students, fans or alumni give a damn what Cherokee, Blackfoot or Chickasaw tribes think? I am not Irish, but I am of English descent. So should Notre Dame listen to me when I say that I am offended of their portrayal of the Irish as fighting hooligans? No." Notre Dame -- the "Fighting Irish" -- popped up in dozens of e-mails. As did the Redskins and Chiefs and Braves and Indians. There is a line, many argue, which separates the names that are degrading and the ones that aren't. Dozens of you took the stance that a team named after a tribe -- the Seminoles, the Illini, the Sioux, the Utes -- is much different than one named Redskins or Braves. "Seminoles and Utes, I believe, are the names of Native American nations, so I can’t see why they would be considered offensive names. The St. John’s basketball team was known as the Redmen for years, until they courageously changed their name to the Red Storm. Braves, I believe, falls somewhere in the middle," writes Jeffrey M. Smith of Stamford, Conn. "The application of a little common sense and courtesy is all we need." Walter Kaechele writes: "As a member of a Native American tribe, I find it amusing that many tribes have no problem associating themselves with gambling and casinos using some of the most hideous, gaudy and stereotypical displays of Native American culture. If they find school mascots unnerving, it is most likely because they are not profiting from the name. Universal terms such as Indian or Redskin may be seen and argued by all Native Americans, but if they want to be taken seriously by myself and others they should start by demanding the removal of all nicknames that portray a group of people not just Native Americans." Some who thought the Seminoles name should stay took their argument to a higher ground. "To us, the “war path” is our journey to make the best possible life we can for ourselves," says Erin Clifton . "Renegade is not simply a horse, but rather the educational system on which we are attempting to ride, so that we can move with greater speed and stability towards our own personal futures. Our “Chief” is the courage within each of us. He represents our ability to lead, have confidence, and to not settle, but rather to go for our goals, and with hope, attain what we desire. Those who view the name with a sour tone look at it simply for the name, but not what it truly represents." To many, the whole idea of someone taking offense at the naming of a sports team for the Seminoles, however it was done or whatever else came out of it, was unbelievable. "Simply having the “Seminoles” or the “Braves” is just a reflection of the mixed culture that we enjoy in this country. Whether or not a Native American is the owner of the club. I personally am an Irish-Scottish-English-Italian-Black Creek-American," Christian A. Jordan said. "I COULD be offended by the wind blowing with the mix of culture that I have flowing in my blood. But, nothing offends me. Because I choose to not let it." Indeed, many asked if I had anything better to do than write on something so insignificant. "Nothing personal, but I'm tired of people putting so much significance on something so banal," Rob McCannell writes. "I could care less if Florida State changes its name, but this attitude that they 'ultimately must' change it is emblematic of what's wrong with this country, and that's certainly worth fighting." Fact is, this is a debate that many sports teams are facing, from high schools to Florida State, from Little League to the Cleveland Indians. Simply, some team nicknames offend people -- many people, in some cases -- so the topic will continue to be brought up. In the media. In board rooms. In legislatures. In schools. Yes, there are more important subjects facing our youth, our lawmakers and our teachers. But this is something that should be discussed. "I write not just so we don’t have to hear about the New York Purple playing the San Francisco Fog in a future World Series, but that we learn to look past the words, take a wider view of their intentions and go deeper into understanding and appreciating all ethnic groups," explains Joe Prax . "Will this get to the point that we take offense at the Cleveland Browns because many of their players are African Americans? Thanks for bringing up the issue." Thank you, Joe, and everyone else for all the thoughtful, well-reasoned replies. John Donovan is senior writer for CNNSI.com. Comments? To e-mail Donovan, click here.
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