Why do the Blackhawks get a pass on their racist team name?

[KamaAina]

Everyone likes to hate on the Redskins, Braves, Indians, etc. for misappropriating Native American imagery. College teams from St. John's to North Dakota to Quinnipiac have changed their team names in response to this (hello, Illinois?)

And speaking of Illinois, what about the Chicago Blackhawks? Why are they getting a free pass through all of this (much like they are through the West finals :grr: :banghead:)??





Could the soon-to-be- West champions be a bunch of racist pigs? We're not saying that, exactly, as such. Remember: We report. You decide. :-)

[TZ]

1. Isn't Blackhawk the name of a tribe?

How is that racist? Is Seminole racist too? Is any team that uses the name warrior racist too? Like you know- Hawaii? I'll give you Redskins being offensive but the mere use of a name? I think that's political correctness of the worst kind. Let's not name anything after anything in the real world. We might offend someone somewhere.:eyes: gee maybe animal rights activists don't like San Jose naming their team after sharks.. It encourages hatred and killing of animals! Boycott SJ animal haters!!! :sarcasm: Sorry KA I'm not down with labelling people "racist pigs" for no good reason. I don't care if it's a joke. You DON'T do that. If you don't like a logo fine- but stereotyping people is wrong and you should know it. Now- where's that hide thread function? I don't need this aggravation.

[Forkboy]

2. The name derives from Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk tribe.

Though the name of the team is actually named after the infantry division the original Hawks owner served in during WW1 that had been nicknamed the Blackhawk Division (in honor of Chief Black Hawk). When he formed the team in 1926 he chose the Black Hawks as their name (originally two words, now just shortened to Blackhawks).

I saw a poll years ago on this issue and about 80% of the Native Americans asked weren't offended by it. It seems to me to be a fairly respectful use of the name (at least as far as any sport is respectful I guess), not just a cartoonish take on Native Americans (like the Cleveland Indians logo is).

Every time this issue comes up I suspect the Native Americans are probably more insulted that we've named weapons of war after them, the Commanche, Apache and Blackhawk helicopters.

[H2O Man]

5. Correct

on every point.

[KamaAina]

11. The UH name was originally Rainbow Warriors

Ironically, the "Rainbow" was dropped, because the then-coach thought it wasn't "manly" enough for recruiting purposes. That coach, of course, was June Jones. :eyes:

The Bay Area is the motherland of animal rights activism; witness the reception Sick Vick got in Oakland last year. I'm sure they would have weighed in by now.

On the Seminoles, the jury is still out: many object especially to the "tomahawk chop", yet most members of the Seminole Nation are Seminoles fans.

And, of course, if the name of the team were, say, the Chicago Hot Dogs, I'd be going off on an anti-processed meat rant instead. I'm dyin' out here.

[KamaAina]

14. You actually may have a point about the Sharks

I propose we change the name to the San Jose Narwhals. That way we could all go around town yelling "Narwhals! FUCK YEAH!!1!" :-)

[LisaM]

20. Sharks should change their name to the Divers

And their goalie should be officially nicknamed "Sack of Taters". Because that's what he goes down like, every time someone taps him on the shoulder.

[KamaAina]

21. So, basically, you're saying that

Messrs. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Holmstrom et al. failed to tap him on the shoulder enough? :P

[LisaM]

22. They might as well have taken him out!!!!

I have a friend who's an Avs fan, and she said the same thing. Thankfully, it looks as if the Blackhawks will get rid of them.

[frylock]

23. there goes a narwhal..

here comes the bikini whale!

[Dr Morbius]

3. Inever before heard that teams were being criticized for...

... "misapproriating" native American names. Rather, names like "Redskin" and mascots like Chief Illiniwick (now gone, tyvm) perpetuate native American or racist stereotypes. If not for the Florida football team, few Americans would today even know of the once-great Seminole tribe. Further, even though I believe the Washington football team has a racist name, I really think it's unfair to characterize that team as racist pigs.

The Chicago Blackhawks have an embarrassment of talent. Seemingly every line can score. They're fast, they're frenzied, and they're undisciplined. They've gotten this far by playing very intense hockey and putting tons of pressure on opposing defenses. They can be beaten, though, and often play worse at home in these playoffs. Four of the next five games in the series, should they be necessary, will be in the United Center.

San Jose has a history of choking. But this year, I don't think they're choking, and I don't think the Hawks are getting a free pass. I think the Sharks swam into a buzzsaw. This Blackhawks team is destiny on skates.

[petronius]

8. "Destiny on Skates." You better keep an eye on the Blackhawks PR department -

if they read DU they're going to steal that from you... :)

I think your overall assessment is right on; we're going to see a Chicago-Philadelphia final and it's going to be awesome.

[Dr Morbius]

18. You may be right.

But Montreal defeated Philly yesterday 5-1. The Habs are a funny team; they run hot and cold. They're not better than the Caps or the Penguins but they're still standing. It will probably be the Flyers in the final but I am reluctant to count them out.

[petronius]

19. I realized that last night - I was only able to watch the first period but

it looked like a whole different series...

[Captain Hilts]

4. Because, like the Redskins, the logo is not racist. Fewer than 10% of native Ams think

the Redskins' team name is racist. Really. Some native American schools use the 'Redkskins' name.

The Blackhawks are a tribe. So, it's not racist.

THIS is racist:

[H2O Man]

6. There is/was

no tribe named that. It is the name of an individual.

[Captain Hilts]

9. Yes, I remembered too late to correct. I was in a rush this morning! nt

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

16. It's a stereotypical symbol

of an ethnic group. Do you know why Paddy wagons are called that?

[H2O Man]

17. No shit

[joeybee12]

7. Tells you how much I follow hockey...I thought it was named for a bird of prey!!! n/t

[Forkboy]

10. What are we going to do with you, Joey?

:)

[joeybee12]

12. Send me to figure skating camp!

I need to tailor my free skate to the new scoring system to maximize my score!

[MrSlayer]

13. Because it's not a racist name.

And they have the coolest jerseys in the sport.

[Captain Hilts]

15. It's a terrific jersey. I've always thought so. nt