Politically Correct College Team Names

[P8ri0]

What is behind this invention of offense to Native American team names primarily by non-Native Americans. You won't here an Irishman or a Greek complaining about the Fighting Irish or the Spartans. Conversely, it is considered an honor.

This use of feigned victimization in order to cause change in someone else’s behavior reminds me of the experiment with monkeys who have to push a lever to get a banana flavored pellet. The result being that the monkeys learned to use the lever increasingly more often to increase their gratification.

It seems that those who can't master their own lives find gratification in causing change in the lives of others, inconsiderate of the consequences, in order to appease their own self-pity. This is a sign of emotional immaturity that should not be encouraged.

[LS]

No joke: Scottsdale Community College, which started in the tumultuous 60s, was full of hippie anti-war types. They chose the nickname, "Fighting Artichokes" and had as their school colors pink and green.

[sandbar]

This reminds me of my Jr. High School. Had been the Jonesboro Red Devils with red & black colors for 40 years or so and then some do gooder principle decided that it was satanic or something and changed it to the "Golden Bears" and changed to gold and pale blue for colors. The entire football team quit and said they weren't going to be teased for being the 'cereal team'. While understanding his point on the Devils (although it seemed a bit silly and paranoid), the GOLDEN BEARS?

[Living Free in NH]

"Fighting Artichokes"

Why not the Peaceful Artichokes?

[js1138]

You won't here an Irishman or a Greek complaining about the Fighting Irish or the Spartans. Conversely, it is considered an honor.

Not if the teams were called the Spicks, Kikes, and Wops -- which are the best equivalent of our Indian names.

[Vaquero]

[Vaquero]

In my mostly Italian decent neighborhood in the Bronx in the 1950's there was a gang there called the Golden Guineas.

[Vaquero]

desent not decent....sorry

[absolootezer0]

"It seems that those who can't master their own lives find gratification in causing change in the lives of others, inconsiderate of the consequences, in order to appease their own self-pity. This is a sign of emotional immaturity that should not be encouraged."

my opinion: people who cannot or will not fullfill their dreams due to inability, caused by actual physical incapabilty (including laziness) or, more commonly, due to fear, will do anything and everything in their power to stop others from fullfilling their dreams.

[rwilson99]

Really...

http://weeklyplanet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050824/TPANEWS05/508240437/-1/TPA

For some reason most Native Americans see Redskins, Indians, Braves and Seminoles in much the same way as...

Yankees
Vikings
Padres
Irish
Buccaneers
Packers
Pirates
Cowboys
Rangers

My money is you're not one of them.

[ovrtaxt]

How about the Smith High School Crackers? or Rednecks? or Honkies?

geez, who cares. This is just another excuse for the perpetually offended to have a 'meaningful' life.

[js1138]

The Seminoles, to the best of my knowledge, are the only major tribe to go into arbitration with a state, negotiate a price for their claim to the state, accept payment, and quit bitchin'.

[P8ri0]

Seminoles?

[laredo44]

Not if the teams were called the Spicks, Kikes, and Wops -- which are the best equivalent of our Indian names.

I won't believe you without some examples. Are you saying that Illini and Utes are derogatory names for native americans?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Now just mind your mouth. The Golden Bears is the proud name that UC Berkeley teams has carried for as long as they have had sports teams. Until 1940, they used real bear cubs as mascots, and then they changed to a guy ina bear costume. Oski (the mascot) is a well loved character. He appears at all kinds of events, and his identity is always a well guarded secret (except that the original Oski was kicked out of school because he allowed his grades to slip.)

[js1138]

Comanche - Snakes
Mohegan - Wolf
Ute - Dark Skinned
Shoshone - Sheep Eaters
Shawnee - Southerners
Cheyenne - Finger Cutters
Osage - Shaved Heads
Mohawk - Flesh, Man Eaters
Dakotas - Related People
Miami - Cry Of The Crane
Seminole - Run Away People
Sioux - French for "Cut-Throats"
Apache - Elk Horn Fiddlers
Arapaho - Mother Of Tribes
Menomonee - Wild Rice Eaters
Delaware - From Lord De La Warr
Cherokee - Cave People
Huron - Hair Style
Chippewa - "To Pucker Up"
Pawnee - Horn People
Ottawa - Traders
Winnebago - Filthy Water

[Sender]

Some non-offending suggestions:

Appeasing Aardvarks
Helpful Hamsters
Leaping Legumes
Tofu Tempests
Players for Peace
Equal Equines
Frolicking Frogs
Java Jousters
Earth Protectors
Truth to Power
Self Esteem Rollers
Indigenous Victims
Enlightened Euros
Propheteers
Open Societies
Guilty White Males
Not On My Team
Rainbow Reflections

[norton]

Fighting Artichokes!

Cool ... can you still get T-shirts?

[js1138]

Not all the names are derogatory, but many were the names given by rivals, rather than the names they gave themselves.

I'm finished here. This just isn't that important to me.

[P8ri0]

These are the names these people gave themselves. Are you saying you are offended on their behalf. Have another banana flavored pellet please.