Major league baseball has made another name change announcement. At the end of the 2021 season, the Cleveland Indians are changing their name to the Guardians. This is not the first team in professional sports to announce a name change, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Known as the Indians since 1915, the announcement was made earlier this year with sources stating, “We feel like it’s the right thing to do …”. In light of the recent protesting and rioting after the death of George Floyd, many league CEO’s are taking a look at their names, policies, etc. and making changes. These changes are meant to represent conversations that are being had all over the United States in hopes of eliminating racism and everything potentially racist.
I, personally, think there is no reason to change the name after decades of branding and merchandising. While some may find the name offensive, I would argue that less are upset by leaving the name as is. I have seen on occasion that some cultures actually feel respected and noticed when a winning franchise brings light to their background and culture. I would also argue that if feelings are involved in every name and decision ever made literally no person will be happy again. There is no way to eliminate hurt feelings.
Paul Dolan, CEO of the Indians spoke to ESPN magazine saying, “ … We’re not asking anybody to give up their memories or the history of the franchise that will always be there.” I would argue that changing the name because of potential past and future links to racism does not allow lifelong fans a chance to hold onto the memories they have. What fan is going to want to display memorabilia and wear gear when it has been publicly linked to racism? They will be forced to either purchase all new items, or give up a public display of the team they love.
What do you think about professional sports teams changing their names?
Do you think major league teams are responsible for making sure no one gets their feelings hurt?
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians
Replies
Well done overall Cade! Your sumamry is pretty well done but your last paragraph doesn't fit as a last paragraph. It's fine but should be earlier in your summary.
I think that it's dumb for these professional sports teams to change there name's especally when they have had the same name for quite some time. I don't think the new name will have much meaning as the old name. No I don't think that they are responsible cause there could be 1 of 2 reactions, some people may like it and some may not. There is not going to be a way to make everyone happy.
I do not care if they change their name. If they want to change it it is fine. I understand that some people think it is dumb to change a name that resisted for years, but if it hepls that people feel better and do not get offended then it should be fine.
I don't really care about professional sports teams changing their names because I don't really care about sports. I don't think that these teams are responsible for making sure nobody's feelings get hurt. It's not racist to call someone an Indian, that's just their background.
I think it's up to them to decide whether or not to change the name because they are the only ones feeling the backlash after all. I think that teams should listen to their fans but also confer with others who are not, Like in one case a team asked the tribesmen of a native group if they were okay with the team using their name, to which they replied that they love it and asked them politely not to change it and that they were quite happy they chose it in the first place.
I agree that it should be the team's decision to make the decision on their name.
I don't like how teams are changing their names because of "racism." The team names were made a long time ago, it's not like they just made them. It's unfair to the history of the team and to the fans of the team. I think people should just accept that it's not a show of racism. I don't think teams are responsible for that at all. They're there to entertain not to make peoples feelings better.
I agree that the teams have had their names for a long time.
I think this is a hard question to answer since everyone you ask is going to have a different answer and their own opinion. I personally do not think that they should of had to change there name because they have had their name so long. Although I understand them changing their name since they didn't want anyone to feel offended.
I agree that they should not of had to change there names,
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