College and University Presidents may think they are the smartest men and women on the face of the planet, but the latest ruling by the NCAA's Executive Committee -- made up of the pointiest of the intellectual pointy-heads in our fair land -- makes me want to THROW UP!
As if we don't have more pressing things to worry about -- like getting student-athletes to GO TO CLASS, STAY IN SCHOOL and GRADUATE, so they can be a credit to both their community and alma mater, we now MAY NOT OFFEND. Even if the "offended" are not.
Welcome to political correctness taken to the extreme. From the text of the rule itself:
"The presidents and chancellors who serve on the NCAA Executive Committee have adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships."
Does that mean Notre Dame must look at changing from the Fighting Irish to something else to be PC with the NCAA? I can't think of any other school that uses a "national origin" nickname.
Next they'll be going after participant's names. Think that isn't a possibility? North Carolina's soon-to-be all-time leading pass receiver is named Jawarski Pollock (pronounced POE-lock like the slang for a person of Polish descent). He may be glad he's in his last year, or he might be looking to have to change his last name. Although it could force a change to Jawarski "Dreadlock", or something equally dramatic. Continuing with the ABSURDITY:
"The Executive Committee, meeting Thursday in Indianapolis, also approved recommended best practices for schools who continue to use Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery in their intercollegiate athletic programs.
"Colleges and universities may adopt any mascot that they wish, as that is an institutional matter," said Walter Harrison, chair of the Executive Committee and president at the University of Hartford. "But as a national association, we believe that mascots, nicknames or images deemed hostile or abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin should not be visible at the championship events that we control."
Okay, right off the bat we'll have to start calling this the "Ban FSU, Utah and Illinois" rule... Must not have an "offensive" nickname. If you do, can't host an event. First of all, who is to say the indians, excuse me, the Native Americans are even mildly concerned about this, not to mention offended by it?
By the way, the Florida State Seminoles even have a long-standing agreement with the Seminole "nation" to use their name! In fact, the Seminoles receive untold POSITIVE promotional benefits from FSU's use of their name.
Thank goodness there is one pointy-head who is not impressed with this PC stuff... IN FSU's DEFENSE, the President of the University, T. K. Wetherell, has responded to the NCAA and its PC President, Myles Brand. Quoting President Wetherell:
"Florida State University is stunned at the complete lack of appreciation for cultural diversity shown by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's executive committee, which announced today a policy banning schools using Native American names and symbols from hosting NCAA championship events. That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole Tribe of Florida as culturally "hostile and abusive" is both outrageous and insulting.
On June 17, the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida spoke unequivocally of its support for Florida State University in its use of the Seminole name and related symbols. Accordingly, I intend to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this unacceptable decision is overturned, and that this university will forever be associated with the "unconquered" spirit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida."
Neither Utah's nor Illinois' official athletic sites have any response to the NCAA legislation at this point, but it's good to see Bobby Bowden U is on the warpath (oops, must be PC), er uh, is ready to make a stand!
Let's hope PETA doesn't convince the NCAA to ban animal nicknames, or my head WILL EXPLODE!
UPDATE: (Monday 8/8/05 at 8:28am) My references herein to the Seminole Indians and FSU's agreements apply solely to the Seminole Indians OF FLORIDA -- the legendary "Unconquered" -- the descendants of whom have every right to associate their ancestors' "spirit" with FSU's athletic teams if they so choose. The university likely does not need the approval of the Oklahoma Seminoles (even though their number is nearly ten times that of the Seminoles of Florida), since the school is in no way claiming to represent them.
Also, I forgot about the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana Lafayette (Jake Delhomme's school), when I was commenting on "national origin" nicknames, and I believe there is a "Fighting Scots" somewhere, too. Nonetheless, lets see what the NCAA does with the Irish mascot. Bet they don't!
UPDATE 2: (Monday, 8/8/05 at 2:15pm) Anyone note the extreme irony in the fact the NCAA is headquartered in INDIANapolis, INDIANa? Guess they ought to have to move (again) if they want to really be PC.
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2 comments:
they don't have permission of the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma. It seems FSU only wants to be associated with the Seminole Tribe of Florida because they are the ones who were "unconquered". Oklahoma Seminoles have said they do not like FSU's use of the mascot. Maybe FSU doesn't care about what the Oklahoma tribe says because those Seminoles were led to OK in chains....kinda ruins the myth.
see my update above re: Oklahoma Seminoles. You are quite right the US government mandated the "five tribes" east of the Mississippi be marched off to Indian Territory, which included the Seminoles. But the ones that wanted nothing of that stayed behind (some 500 or so) and hid out in the swamps of Florida until safer times. They are the Seminoles of Florida -- of whom FSU claims its "allegiance". I take it you're against FSU using Chief Osceola's likeness and the other native Seminole garb.
I'd be right with you if they called themselves the FSU "Boat People" or something. For my money, if there is a real "problem" with nicknames, then should address those which could be easily construed as negative, like "Redskins". But the few high-profile NCAA institutions that once used it (Utah and Miami of Ohio come to mind) changed on their own.
The NFL -- unlike the NCAA -- knows a few things about marketing and revenue streams. It's doubtful the league would go there and insist the 'Skins change their name or else. If the nickname ever does change, it will be because the club decided to do so on its own.
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