A few weeks ago was traveling in St. Louis and one thing they are known for outside of the Arch is the St Louis Cardinals baseball team. Once one of America’s favorite baseball team this reminds me of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, who is now named the Cleveland Guardians. This name changed happened over the summer of 2021. Some people protested and argued that the sports team being named the Indians was offensive and racists. This long-lasting team named started in 1915, over 100 years ago. Cleveland is not the only sports team to change their name or drop the Native American reference. This week I am in Nebraska for the Nebraska vs Ohio State football game where the Buckeyes face the Cornhuskers. What is a cornhusker many people have asked and why are they called that?
Many people have mixed opinions about this name change and the first thing I wondered was what the Native Americans think. Now I haven’t spoke with any personally but if I was in their shoes, I would love to have sports team named after me. I know the Native Americans are people who honor their past and their ancestors and I would be honored to have a professional sports team named after my family history. However, other must not think the same. Only 47 full blood Indians have played professional baseball since 1897. This leads me to believe that the don’t have a large voice in the professional sports arena and take on the characteristics of a subaltern. This begs the question, the people who want this name change, is it really about racism and preserving correct Native America History? “All Americans, and all Cleveland baseball fans, should get to learn the history—happy and sad—of our nation, including its original inhabitants. And if that were the real goal, the MLB would maybe do something to promote it. It could starting by paying its commissioner a little less than $11 million, perhaps, to publish some books and documentaries. But we know it won’t do that, because education is not the real goal behind Cleveland’s name change.” (May Davis)
When I think of Nebraska I think of very small towns, corn fields and beef farms. Are the Nebraska Cornhuskers and offensive name to the local farmers and small-town communities or is this an embrace of culture and an identity to celebrate? I believe it is the former, proving an insight into society and traditions in the Midwest corn belt region. I think of other collegiate team like Wisconsin fans who wear cheese hats because they are known for their productive in Wisconsin.
I believe that if this was really about racism or cultural identity and helping the native people of this country then we should be consulting them on this decision and do more to promote their history. Is this the way culture is shifting: If it offends one singular person, we must eliminate at the expense of communicating history and truth? Maybe the identities we give sports team is a fun way to educate about history, culture, and traditions.
Works Cited
https://www.aaanativearts.com/how-many-native-americans-have-played-major-league-baseball