11/05/24
April 03, 2014
Some Indians Fans Are De-Chiefing Their Gear: Cleveland Indians fans have begun to protest the team's use of the racially questionable Chief Wahoo logo by removing it from their hats and jerseys. Paul Lukas of ESPN's Uni-Watch writes, "This is the 'de-Chiefing' phenomenon, a form of silent protest by a small but growing number of Indians fans who love their team but are opposed to the Wahoo logo, which they view as an offensive caricature." De-chiefing Cleveland fan Michael Kaus said, "I've always been anti-Wahoo. I'm ashamed that it's part of the face of my team. It's embarrassing that we're holding on to this. If it had any other context, it would clearly be viewed as racist."
posted by rcade at 12:21 PM on April 03, 2014
Good for them. Not just for living by their own principles, but also for not being aggressive and confrontational about it. It sorta takes the teeth out of all the "you're a fascist/communist" (because the two are apparently interchangeable) arguments that proponents of wahoo have already resorted to. They're not judging those who embrace chief wahoo or standing outside the ballpark picketing, just doing their part quietly.
posted by tahoemoj at 12:49 PM on April 03, 2014
Well played, Cleveland fans, well played.
posted by flannelenigma at 02:13 PM on April 03, 2014
Cleveland has such an obvious alternate team name that is so much more awesome than The Indians that I can't believe they don't just embrace it and sell out of all of their new gear immediately.
I'm just saying, change your name to The Cleveland Rocks and everyone will think you guys are the best forever.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:54 PM on April 03, 2014
I thought you were going to go for the Cleveland Steamers.
posted by ursus_comiter at 07:20 PM on April 03, 2014
Call them the Rocks if they're doing well; if they regress to what they were like in my youth, call them the Shoals.
posted by beaverboard at 08:38 PM on April 03, 2014
Where's my Boston Irishmen hat? It should feature a burly chap in a wife beater shirt holding a bottle.
posted by Howard_T at 12:17 AM on April 04, 2014
Reading the comments thread at that ESPN article (I know, I should know better) is depressing.
posted by holden at 09:30 AM on April 04, 2014
This guy has chosen the alternative to de-chiefing. Say, how's that workin' out for ya?
posted by tahoemoj at 04:23 PM on April 04, 2014
"If you're looking at the average Opening Day fan, actually I see a little bit of a difference. I see that there are a lot of people who have refrained from wearing Wahoo much more than in previous opening days, but I also see that there are a lot more people who have come out with the most bigoted Wahoo that they could find." -- Sundance of the Muscogee tribe at Progressive Field Friday, where he's been a part of anti-Wahoo protests going back to 2008
posted by rcade at 09:24 AM on April 05, 2014