"Offensive" Nicknames

[dreamtheatervt]

Reading the thread about Syracuse changing their name reminded me of this...

If nicknames like Fighting Illini, Fighting Soiux, Indians, etc. are offensive (and I'm not debating whether they are not offensive, as an IUP grad I'm fully aware of the battle that some schools put up to keep them); why aren't "Fighting Irish" and "Vandals"? My mom's side of the family is Irish and they get really PO'ed when stereotypical "drunk Irish" jokes are made, which is where the fighting Irish name came from. A sportswriter said they played like "drunk fighting Irishmen". I know a name change is not going to happen because they are Notre Dame and can't do anything wrong in some people's eyes; I'm certain Charlie Weis could rip out a man's heart and eat on live TV and they would still go to a BCS bowl game they don't deserver to be in so they can get wailed on.

Vandals were one of Roman invaders, and I guess it could be offensive as well.

I can't stand ND, especially their football team and all of their apologists...I'd just like to see them have to change names.

[garysorrell]

Your right on as far as ND goes.....but would be interesting to see Weis do that on TV.

I think that some people are offended for a variety of reasons and some arent. Im of Scottish descent, and if a team were called the 'Fighting Scots' I would likely be a big fan.
Im white, and if a team were called the 'Whites' 'Whities' 'Crackers' and so on, I wouldnt be offended or even care. However, I can see how certain groups would see Redskins as offensive. Im sure that term has seen its time as a slur.

One thing I dont like is when groups have said they are offended by the term Warriors. No specific group can lay claim to Warriors.

Im not a liberal, by any stretch of the imagination, but I can understand the offense taken by some people over names.

[dreamtheatervt]

ORIGINAL: garysorrell
I think that some people are offended for a variety of reasons and some arent. Im of Scottish descent, and if a team were called the 'Fighting Scots' I would likely be a big fan.

University of Edinboro (in Pennsylvania) are the Fighting Scots
http://departments.edinboro.edu/athletics/

They have bagpipes in the marching band too.

[garysorrell]

I am now a fan

[Marauders]

What about the Saints and the Vikings?
 
I am of Scandinavian heritage and a Christian, so shouldn't I be upset?
 
It really comes down to how the represented group feels about it.  I believe the Vikings name is a great representative name for a Minnesota team.

[MjH]

Then there's the intramural Native American team at the University of Northern Colorado that briefly got some international press. The Fighting Whites. I leave it up to everyone else to decide if they're offensive or not....

[Tbird]

That's cold [&:]

[garysorrell]

Im a fan of them too, now.

Go WHITES!!!

[Brockleigh]

Take it a step further... Are people 7 foot tall or taller offended by the New York Giants? Are people who's ancestors participated in the Gold Rush offended by the San Francisco 49ers? Are people of Eastern Euopean descent offended by the Toronto Argonauts? Do people on the East Coast who can draw their ancestry back seven generations take offense at the Minuteman that adorns the New England Patriots helmets?

No, because these symbols denote the fighting spirit and strength of their mascots. They celebrate the characteristics that made them famous.

Those that denegrate the schools and teams that take a Native American banner simply choose to focus on the negative. Instead of taking pride in a team that looks upon a symbol of their ancestry or heritage as a worthy banner to play under, they instead create an offense where none was intended.

I find these groups, and all that kowtow to their ignorance (and this would include the NCAA), to be sad and pitiful organizations.