Monday, May 16, 2011

Why there is no EVIL in the characterization of American Sports Teams with a Native American Image

I have in the past felt that there was a true wrong done to the Native Americans in such sports imagery such as the Cleveland Indians and say the Chicago Black Hawks among other teams such as the Chiefs and the Atlanta Braves.
This once concerned me and I once even offered to quit displaying the Cleveland Indians insignia as I really had considered that it was a mocking attempt to denigrate and marginalize a people whose place in the human race has been threatened by the years and privileges given to a new 'colonizing' civilization.
I must report there that I am completely at ease with the expressions of the sports world and I will also suggest to you that these expressions originate from our Creator himself.   Thus I believe it is G-d's providence that our teams and culture has this type of motif for our children and people to enjoy and cheer on.
The idea that there is a native american image on say the Cleveland Indians is in no way a stab at the heritage and good conduct of the American Native Indian Nations.  This is actually a tribute. 
The American Indians were here prior to the Current Civilization and clearly they deserve a cornerstone in our mainstream American Culture.
To combine this with sports designates that our culture not only plays ball but also spends money on things that are associated with the history and rememberance of a great people that will always be regarded as fruitful and prosperous by history.
We are not ridiculing their privilege or trying to embarrass their loss of leadership and presence in the American Arena.
We are indeed showing that our nation has prospered in a land that was once a civilization of another.
If America had become in the place of the holy land, I would imagine that a Jewish Icon with peyos would be the equivalent of the Cleveland Indians Image. 
If America had become in the place of Japan, it would be the Japanese Warrior who was the image for sports in that location.
This is about America.
There has been the argument in the past that "how would you feel if we made it say the "Cleveland Jews" or what if they made it the "Cleveland Negros".  I say this.
The fact is that we are not constructing a culture around the paradigm of a defeated nation or that we are trying to marginalize or besmirch the greatness of another people.  
We are making an Identity with the Past and we are endorsing a pleasant and amiable future.
It would be senseless to make a team such as the "Cleveland Jews" becuase the Jewish people are not the original inhabitants of the Location we work, play and live.
What we have done in sports is create a culture of thrills and gladness and it seems that way to most every Child who grows up in America until they may indeed be approached by parties and viewpoints that are really against the given sympathies of our Guiding Providence.
So with this, I must report, that Cleveland Indians are going to be here in my thoughts to stay for a very long time if not for the rest of Civilization.
That is the mindset I now have folks. 
Thanks for cheering for our National Sports Teams.  
;)

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