There were lots of patch- and logo-related developments around the sports word yesterday, with several of them coming from the NHL draft. One at a time:
• The Ducks unveiled a 20th-anniversary logo, which will be worn as a jersey patch. Looks solid enough, if not particularly remarkable. (Also: If you go back to the first link in this graf, the press release says, “[T]he club will host a ‘Throwback Night’ near the start of the 2013-14 regular season, paying homage to the inaugural 1993-94 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season. The club will have further announcements surrounding the festivities at a later date.)
• The Bruins have a 90th-season logo (people are calling it a 90th-anniversary logo, but that’s wrong — do the math). Here’s how it looks on their home jersey.
• As you may recall, the Panthers unveiled a 20th-anniversary patch back in late May. Now we can see how it looks on their home jersey.
• We also got our first look at next year’s NHL draft logo. The draft will be taking place in Philly, so the logo is shaped like a bell.
• Moving from the NHL to the NFL, the 49ers have come out with a stadium-farewell logo. This is a more fleshed-out version of the logo they’ve been using for a while now on this website. I like the circular version. No word yet on whether it’ll be used on jerseys, but my hunch is that it will be.
• Remember how some of the Mariners recently wore the Angels’ memorial patch for Dr. Lewis Yocum? There’s another cross-team memorial in the works, as the Angels will be wearing the Cardinals’ Stan Musial memorial patch on their BP jerseys when the Halos play the Cards this week.
(My thanks to all contributors, including Skott Daltonic, Chris Flinn, David Kelly, Ryan Raymond, and of course Phil.)
’Skins Watch: Here’s the latest regarding the ’Skins name and related issues:
• A member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, writing in the Denver Post, thinks the ’Skins should change their name.
• Deadspin has written a devastatingly effective piece about a name change involving the ’Skins — but not about the team’s name.
• If the ’Skins do change their name, here’s a good look at what the rebranding effort would entail from a financial and logistical standpoint.
• An economics professor at George Mason University thinks banning the ’Skins name would be the first step on a slippery slope, although his “logic” is a lot slipperier than the slope
• Indian team names and mascots are currently banned in Oregon schools. A bill that would allow them again is moving through the state legislature, but the governor is threatening to veto it.
(My thanks to Ted Bloss, Finley Hamblin, Tommy Turner, and Phil for their contributions to this section.)
Uni Watch News Ticker: Happy Canada Day to all our Canadian readers. The Blue Jays will be wearing red jerseys for the occasion this afternoon. … Here’s the logo patch for the new American Athletic Conference (from Gregory Koch). … Small logo tweak for Firefox (from Jarrod Leder). … New kits for Southampton (from Matt Sisul). … Here’s the logo for next year’s women’s Final Four. “No guitar or music note imagery — rare for Nashville,” says Lee David Wilds. … Here’s a do-over from Friday (I botched the link coding): Interesting iconographic move by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is discontinuing its little admission buttons. … Here’s a new one, at least to me: a catcher’s chest protector with “Stop” printed on it (from Dennis Hasty). … Another great bit of research by Todd Radom, who’s discovered a 1913 game in which the Reds had to wear White Sox uniforms after their own unis were left behind during a road trip. … Oregon baseball doesn’t have as many helmet options as Oregon football, but they’re getting there (from Chris Flinn). … New fifth-season logo for the Texas Stars. “Looks like someone slapped it together in 20 seconds,” says Cory Hoad. … Here’s an interview with the guy widely credited with having created the Packers’ helmet logo (from Jeff Ash). … The Patriots are offering free exchanges on Aaron Hernandez jerseys (from Eric Juergens). … Very nice striped stirrups for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League (from Don Montgomery). … Here’s a look at the evolution of 15 movie superhero costumes (thanks, Brinke). … The Braves retired Chipper Jones’s number on Friday. That makes five seasons in a row that the Braves have retired a number, the previous four having been for Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bobby Cox, and Tom Glavine. ”¦ Love the diamond pattern on the sleeves of this old Pirates warm-up jacket (from Alan Topolski). ”¦ Tons of great old Blackhawks photos here. “I hope the team consults these photos when creating a uniform for their Outdoor Series game next January,” says Charles Noerenberg). ”¦ Really good story about the scripting of golfers’ attire (from Britt Jackson). … Also from Britt: Here are the team jerseys for this year’s Tour de France. … Good article on those axe-handled baseball bats (from Tommy Turner). … The Timberwolves did a photo shoot with their new draft picks, including Shabazz Muhammad, who wore Karl Malone socks for the occasion. “That’s fun,” says Robert Silverman. … Andy Bartsch and Keith Winney both noticed that Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks appeared to have some sort of straps on his batting helmet earflap. Anyone know what that’s about? … In a move sure to go down in the annals of promotional history, the Huntsville Stars — that’s the Brewers’ double-A affiliate — are hosting “2nd Amendment Night,” which will include a chance to win a free gun. … The Bulgarian men’s volleyball team sort of has a mullet effect going on: all business in the front, but a party in the back (from Jeremy Brahm). … Oh baby, feast your eyes on the 1960 Wausau High Lumberjacks. And dig the great patch they used for their varsity jackets! (Great stuff from Jeff Ash.) … “This isn’t exactly uni-related, but I’ve seen a bunch of these garbage cans with a New Jersey logo around Canandaigua Lake, which is in upstate New York, a good five hours from New Jersey,” says Joe Johansen. … Here’s a little Tumblr on sports-themed food (from Steve Mandich). … “My 19-year-old daughter, who cares nothing for sports, wandered into the living room, where we watching Serena’s post-match press conference on Saturday,” says Cort McMurray. “Five seconds in, she said, ‘Boy, Evian really wants you to see that’s one of their water bottles. How stupid’ and walked out. That’s the kind of moment that makes you proud to be a dad.” … “Recently ran across a new league I’d never heard of, called the Professional Developmental Football League,” says Leo Strawn Jr. “I’m not certain if there was some arrangement made, but the league’s logo is very reminiscent of the old Columbus Destroyers logo from the arena league.” … Dolphins WR Brian Hartline likes the team’s new uniforms (Phil again). … Marlon Byrd wore Mets logo eye black stickers yesterday (Phil yet again). … Texas State Senator Wendy Davis’s pink Mizuno sneakers have become an iconic symbol. … Ooooh, look how cool the Phillies’ ushers looked in 1975 (great find by Avi Miller). ”¦ While attending last night’s all-star extravaganza for Big Star’s Third — which, incidentally, was amazing, beautiful, special, and just about every other superlative you can imagine — I spotted a guy wearing very cool striped socks. ”¦ Have I mentioned lately how much I love Joe Maddon? He’s sporting the Rays’ latest travel-theme look: “accidental preppie.” Additional examples here, here, and here (from Mike Edgerley). ”¦ Serena Williams’s current 15-month run of success began when she changed the strings in her racket.
Hey Paul,
As a Rays fan, I’ve always been a fan of you being a fan of Joe Maddon. Have you ever tried to get an interview with him? Might be timely with the Rays repeating their fake 70’s throwback uniform night this Saturday.
Also, nothing “accidental” about the Dartmouth-educated Sam Fuld. He’s a full-on, Ivy-League preppie!
From the Niners graf:
I live the circular version.
You might, or that might be the wrong verb.
No word yet on whether it’ll be used on jerseys, but my hunch is that it will be.
The Steelers only wore their “Final year at Three Rivers” patch in the last game. That doesn’t necessarily mean the 49ers will do the same, but it’s another possibility.
ugh the tracking on the “Season Schedule” script is horrible!
The Wausau team has only even jersey numbers
No doubt the red set has (had) odd numbers. When the home team was all evens and the road team was all odds, there could only be one player with each number, which made things much easier for the scorer’s table.
Those Wausau uniforms are typical of the late-’50s-early-’60s. Notice the full belt and loops on the shorts. I’ll wager that the uniforms were made by King-O’Shea of Chicago, a Wilson subsidiary.
As to those wonderful jacket logos you’re looking at a great example of chain embroidery over felt appliques. Every logo was individually cut and made by hand. You’re seeing an example of a lost art here folks. Nowadays if the operator can’t press a button and get a finished product there’s crying and wailing and gnashing of teeth. The oldtimers took great pride in their finished products.
Looks like Shabazz has a Stockton sock on his right foot and a Malone sock on his left. He was drafted by the Jazz before being traded to the T’Wolves but I don’t really get what he’s trying to say with the stylistic choice.
The key takeaway from the Met Museum piece:
“they now cost about three cents per button, up from two cents only a few years ago. The new paper tickets will cost only about a penny each, and they will give the museum the space to promote shows, new and soon to close”
Yep, saving 2 cents on each admission.
But wait, there’s more!
“and, Mr. Holzer added, a space “to sell to corporate sponsors” for advertising.”
Sheesh. How long until there are ads on the paintings themselves?
Yeah, but if you factor in the number of people being issued with the buttons, it soon adds up. The theme park I used to work for did a similar thing – switching from plastic to paper wristbands saved around 7 pence per band, but over the course of a full season it represented a saving of several thousand pounds (not to mention the paper bands were both easier to recycle and harder to pass to other people).
As for the corporate sponsors, well, that’s another matter…
Can’t find a link, but although Shabazz Muhammad might have good taste in socks, per Sportcenter this morning, he chose to wear number “0” for the T-Wolves “because no one else in the NBA wears that number”.
“no one” being 15 other players.
So did Canandaigua recycle old New Jersey recycling signs?
The Nashville Final Four logo does have a guitar reference. Note the hollow body cutouts at the bottom of the logo.
Hmm…what’s interesting and unstated in that article about the Reds playing in White Sox uniforms (but is obvious on reflection) is that they played the Cubs.
link
So, not only did the Reds play in someone else’s uniform, it wasn’t even the uniform of their opponent!
ed
Unstated in the news article that is…Todd’s blog title correctly notes the Cubs, of course.
ed
I was noticing that the 1913 box score and line score has the home team listed first. Also the city names as the top of each column was switched.
Tim, they wrote it that way a lot in the old days and I remember being a little confused the first time I saw it.
One thing I wish they would bring back from those times, though, are the fielding stats. You get a feel for what kind of game it was just by looking at who got the putouts and who got the assists. In this digital era where space is no longer expensive, why isn’t fielding in every box score?
That was a cool story.
Re: “No guitar or music note imagery – rare for Nashville,” – Do the f-holes at the bottom of the logo count as guitar imagery, subtle as it is?
I would agree. They definitely count as guitar imagery.
Or fiddle.
Does anyone know if the Tigers will be wearing red, when they play the Jays, for Canada Day?
I can’t recall a time when the visiting team has ever worn anything special for Canada Day.
OK. It would make (some) sense for the Tigers, since quite a bit of their fans come from Ontario (especially between Windsor and Sarnia). Agree/Disagree??
But they’re still in the US. I’m sure that the Blue Jays still have a fan base in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and maybe even Rochester, but commenters on here have shot down the idea of the Blue Jays using US camouflage patterns and recognizing US holidays.
Should the Skins change their nickname, what are the chances this opens the floodgates for everyone? I know pro sports sorta take their cues from NFL, I think if that does happen, we shall see the Indians become the Spiders in a few years.
Maybe. But remember, while some people have issues with team names like “Indians” or “Braves,” the ’Skins are a special case, because their name is a slur. No other team name really matches up in an apples-to-apples comparison.
I don’t see much chance of a domino effect. (Mainly because most of the time, domino effects and slippery slopes never actually happen.) The Indians, Braves, Chiefs, and so forth can all plausibly say, “‘Redskin’ is an equivalent to ‘nigger,’ so of course it had to change. Our name is nothing like that, and anyway [quick PR campaign] look at our team foundation’s outreach to Native American tribes and scholarships.” As long as Chief Wahoo is mostly gone from Cleveland uniforms – Wahoo:Sambo::redskin:nigger – that’s a plausible argument that will satisfy even most people who find Redskins to be kind of icky.
That’s interesting what the Angels are doing in honor of Musial and at the request of Albert. I think it’s nice, sure, but a little odd in a way, since the whole aura around Pujols in this city is that he turned out to be the an imposter of sorts.
Wouldn’t it be funny if Pujols was really asking to wear a Cardinals jersey “in honor” of Stan, that way maybe he could get some of his Mojo back? That and play for a winning team.
“… Love the diamond pattern on the sleeves of this old Pirates warm-up jacket (from Alan Topolski). … ”
“… Ooooh, look how cool the Phillies’ ushers looked in 1975 (great find by Avi Miller)…”
Our Esteemed Leader is OEL for good reasons, and it gives me no pleasure — well, maybe an eensy-beensy pleasure — to note that something terrible, something dreadful happened to him this morning. I believe that he saw those images from the 1970s, and then confused a kind of head-slapping appreciation of their silliness — OMG! Get a load of these beauts from 1975! Unbelievable! — with the sober discernment demanded by his position. Those space explorer Philly usher outfits became outdated 48 hours after their introduction. I know it must be tempting to experiment occasionally with being a wry, cheerful, sweet lark of a guy, but duty is duty.
. . . NB most of the Brazilian flag comes from the flag of the Brazilian Empire, which had little ordem and less progresso(but a snazzier sense of design).
Aside: the other day I used the abbreviation NB a few times in a set of instructions for a rather involved project. The recipient let me know how much she appreciated “the no-brainers”. O tempora, o mores.
Clearly under the wrong note. Must be the baleful influence of those 70s duds.
Nota bene: pay attention to which ‘reply’ button you’re pressing!
Final Confederations Cup whine:
I hate, hate when Brazil wears the canary/white/white look:
link
My comments below should note TH’s basically sound opinion. Me, I’m just disappointed with yellow-white-white, not infuriated. I see the hand of FIFA, which probably worried about blue shorts and blue socks clashing with the Spaniards’ blues.
FWIW, the white socks are part of the primary kit (the change kit is blue/white/blue). Yeah, I get that the shorts clash, but the usual yellow/blue/white is such a classic, well-coordinated look that it looks weird when they deviate from it.
Has Snyder sued Deadspin yet? He surely had his feelings hurt over the weekend.
Ha. Is there any legal action more pointless and counterproductive than the Washington City Paper suit?
Also, Dave McKenna wrote the fake chief piece for Deadspin, so that’s kinda fun.
Paul, I think you have it backwards on the Bruins’ 90th patch. This upcoming season is not their 90th, because of the 2004-05 lockout; however, 2014 marks 90 years since the team’s founding, and thus is their 90th anniversary.
The lockout-cancelled season has derped a lot of anniversaries, and NHL teams have been inconsistent, even with themselves. Calgary, for example, was to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2004-05, but instead celebrated it in 05-06 because of the lockout; however, they celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2009-10.
Oh, good point about the lockout — I didn’t factor that in. Mea culpa!
Their 90th season is 2014-15, as is the 90th anniversary of their first season. They’re wrong on both counts.
In most cases, when people refer to a team’s “anniversary” without the “season” qualifier, it’s referring to the anniversary of the year in which the team was established. In other words, the team’s “birthday”.
The Bruins were established in 1924, hence 2014 is their 90th “birthday”.
Just to clear up the season/anniversary thing with the Bruins:
An anniversary and a milestone season usually are off by one year (the anniversary is usually one less than the # of seasons) and teams screw this up all the time using the wrong one. In the NHL however, any team that existed before the 2004-2005 lockout has the benefit of having the two concepts align. The Devils screwed this up using a 30 logo on some things in the 2011-2012 season, which was their 29th season and 29 year’s after their first season.
As Brendan pointed out, the Bruins are screwing this up too. They were granted a franchise in November 1924 and began play in December 1924. Therefore the 90th anniversary will take place during the 2014-15 season (i.e. November/December 2014). 2014-2015 will also be the team’s 90th season (usually you subtract the year number and add one, but the lockout made it so that you can simply subtract). You’d figured that this would be the one good thing to come out of the lockout of 2004-05 but, bafflingly, team’s still can’t get it right.
Can’t overlook the need to bid a fond Adeus to the Confederations Cup and all things Brazilian, including the fans in the stadiums and the fans demonstrating in the streets. Dance, bebe, dance! Yellow-blue-green is the sweetest color combo ever devised, great for both their soccer unis and their national flag. [I just love that flag, right down to the Ordem e Progresso motto from Auguste Comte and the Positivists.]
Really, every team in the competition looked pretty good. Partly this came from the blessed absence of (non-Adidas, non-Nike, non-Puma) advertising on the shirts, and partly it was due to some sound aesthetic choices. I’m still mad at Mexico for going white-red-white for one game, but all in all, it was a fine-looking tourney.
Oh yeah, and the level of soccer was insanely high.
On the twitter post covering Oregon’s batting helmets, there is a little q&a underneath the picture between the original poster and a fan, coming to the realization that they’re softball helmets, not baseball helmets.
that’s exactly what i was going to say. do any baseball players wear face cages like that beyond little league? they do seem to be somewhat common in softball though.
True, but what about all the schools with non-offensive Indian names that were pressured to change? Slurs and racist caricatures should go, but not every reference is offensive.
For the bizillionth time, this isn’t about what’s “offensive.”
The Native American author who wrote the article you linked to today sure seems to think it is.
The time is now for the National Football League to stop dishonoring Native Americans. It should insist that the Washington Redskins retire the offensive nickname and image.
…
“Redskins” is a patently offensive name for Native Americans.
That patent has expired.
The previous commenter, BrianC, wasn’t talking about “Redskins.” He was talking about other team names and saying they weren’t necessarily offensive. And as I’ve noted countless times, that’s not what the debate is about regarding those other names — at least not for me, and also for many others.
The Braves have actually retired five numbers in as many seasons:
Greg Maddux – 2009
Tom Glavine – 2010
Bobby Cox – 2011
John Smoltz – 2012
Chipper Jones – 2013
Gotcha. I’ll adjust the text accordingly.
the American Conference logo is horrible.
they should of picked a Star for the logo (like captain america’s shield) which would of looked 100% better of the jerseys as patches
a block A ? that looks so outdated and not cool
A scandal is brewing in the Japanese major leagues as it has come to light that the league secretly replaced the game ball with a livelier one, didn’t tell anyone, and instructed manufacturer Mizuno to lie if asked about it:
link
Wait, it was the BALL that was juiced?
If I recall correctly, each NPB team had their ball of choice, by manufacturer, for home games until the Yomiuri Giants were accused of using tainted ‘Mizuno’ balls several years ago. It’s not surprising that Mizuno, the official supplier of NPB baseballs, is once again in the middle of this scandal.
@Mark in Shiga: Have you read this article from April?link
Am I the only one that feels Paul, and others, referring to the Redskins as the ‘Skins is far worse?
Perhaps you’d care to explain *why* it’s “far worse”?
When I hear ‘Skins, I guess I am automatically drawn to the negative imagery, or connotations of what many people think is the driving factor of racism, and that is skin color. When I hear Redskins, I just think of Indians, or Native Americans without the negativeness towards them.
I guess it is hard to explain, and it is just my opinion. Not saying anyone is right or wrong, it’s just how I feel when I see the word ‘Skins, as opposed to their actual name of Redskins.
It’s not “far worse”, just less accurate IMO.
How and why others choose to refer to the Washington Redskins is their right and none of my business, just as how and why Dan Snyder chooses to market his team as the Washington Redskins is his right and no one else’s.
False dichotomy. It is simply not the case that the ultimate decision being Snyder’s right to make therefore causes his decision to be nobody else’s business. Snyder has every right to call his team whatever he wishes, provided that the league approves. You and I have every right to voice our criticism or approval of his decision, and to attempt to persuade him to either change his mind or stand fast.
That’s how, you know, liberty works.
Big Star is one of those bands I know I’m “supposed” to like and just…don’t. See also: Radiohead, Queen, Bob Dylan, etc.
….On the other hand I would have given my left arm to be there. “Big Star’s Third” (a.k.a. Sister Lovers) is a beautiful, stoned-out, screwed-up, depressing-as-hell classic. I’m confident the artists on the bill did it justice…
Wow.
Jeff Ash for the win today!
Great designs are simple, elegant and unforgettable. It’s a just a “G”, the way the Yankees logo is just two interlocked letters, or the Golden Gate is just a bridge.
While I appreciate the Yankees interlocking NY logo now (but not the team), as a kid who followed baseball less then than now when I first saw the logo had no idea it was an interlocking NY and thought it looked like some kind of Chinese writing character(logogram).
Have I mentioned lately how much I love Joe Maddon? He’s sporting the Rays’ latest travel-theme look: “accidental preppie.”
I love the Rays’ traveling duds and other dress-up events. A real sense of fun and whimsy so often missing from pro sports, which makes it doubly distressing that their home town doesn’t care much about them.
Move ’em to Havana ASAP. They’ll care.
The Tour de France jerseys are accurate except for Blanco, who became Team Belkin days before the race started:
link
Much nicer design, sticking with traditional color blocking.
the video on the creation of the Packers G logo = greatness
Interesting Niners patch–if predictable. What else could it really look like. Been keeping an eye out for months for this, and not seen it once locally.
PS 10-s related: Those strings didn’t help Serena today. Karma.
Looks very similar to link. Wonder if Radom (who I think designed it for NYM) had a hand in it, or whether the designer based it off of Shea’s.
About Montero’s “straps” on the earflap:
I would bet serious money those are strips of athletic tape and he put them there to hold on/secure the U-shaped cushion that is inside the helmet under the ear hole. They almost look like they were colored black with a magic marker.
I was goign to go with tape (to hold ear padding) also.
Montero’s helmet “straps” are indeed tape to hold the inside, earflap padding to the helmet shell. Many of us amateur players save money by using that quick fix when the pad’s glue doesn’t hold any more, rather than buy a new helmet. I’m surprised Montero just didn’t get a new helmet, since he doesn’t have to pay for it. Or, perhaps the equipment manager didn’t have an extra helmet in his size.
Love the old Blackhawks pics.
Todd Radome’s recent contributions to uni research are of Ricko-nian proportions. Amazing stuff.
-Jet
They weren’t giving away guns at the Huntsville Stars game i attended, but they were advertising “Faith Night” — an upcoming promotion whereby your favorite Huntsville Stars would have their names and jersey numerals replaced with the names and numbers of your favorite Biblical verses. Malachi 2:3 for the win!
As a Canadian, I’m partial to Leviticus 25:44
I’m rather fond of Leviticus 19:19. We going to check the players’ underwear for cotton/poly blend?
You’ve raised a good one, Cort.
I accidentally read “accidental preppie” as “accidental purple” and got really confused that you loved it so much.
Since we’re going to get daily/weekly updates on every article about the Redskins name (particularly those that support a change) I thought I’d posit an opinion on the issue.
I think all the concern over this empowers the word. I generally feel this way about any piece of language thats taboo or becoming taboo. I believe the continued discussion that usually turns into heated debate, or apathetic shoulder shrugging depending on the person, only highlights the word more. It builds up that negative power and creates a bigger issue than needs exist.
Why can’t we take control of the language? It’s done all the time, words that mean one thing are taken and repurposed for something else. Sometimes its negative. Theres no reason we can’t make it a positive. At the end of the day its our choice how we view and define the words we use.
Arguments over the history of the team, positive and negative, don’t particularly mean much in that context. Was a previous owner racist? Maybe. Was a name choosen to honor a particular star? Maybe not. That all really doesn’t matter because we’re far removed from them anyway.
What we have at hand is a team that has one of the strongest fanbases in the NFL, a team crowned champion multiple times. I doubt the vast majority that celebrates the team does so from a standpoint of being malicious to Natives. As I said, most are or have been unaware of any potential issue. They just want to root for their team, their logo.
Why can’t we take a different path and undercut the power of the word by observing it in a modern context, as a symbol that millions of people support in a positive fashion?
Just a thought.
Have examples of words that have turned from negative to positive? I really can’t think of any. The n-word, for example, appears to be one such negative word that maybe some tried to spin positively. I’d say that ship has sailed. I don’t think you can erase negative history with these slurs.
Here’s another example. My parents are Portuguese, and in my part of the US, a common term of derision has been Portagee (hard g there). Lots of younger Portuguese-Americans used the term, supposedly positively, but to me, it’s an ethnic slur and no amount of positive spin and “taking the word back” can change that it started as a slur.
What I’m saying is, no way what you’re proposing is ever going to happen.
Have examples of words that have turned from negative to positive?
“Whig.” “Tory.” “Queer.” All three started as slurs, and were appropriated by those they were directed at.
Since we’re going to get daily/weekly updates on every article about the Redskins name (particularly those that support a change)….
For the record, I have consistently posted every ’Skins-related news item that’s come my way, whether it supports the name change or not, whether it shows fans in favor of the name change or not.
And the reason you’re getting daily updates on this is the same reason I provide updates on anything else: It’s in the news, and it’s relevant to what Uni Watch is about. Simple as that.
As for your linguistic analysis, here’s what you’re overlooking: Words like “queer” and “slut” and the like have been transformed into words of empowerment by the same groups at whom those slurs were once directed. Those marginalized groups were the ones who embraced the terms in question and recategorized their meaning.
So if Native Americans want to embrace the term “redskin” and make it into a positive thing, that’s up to them. But the rest of us, as non-Natives, don’t get to reclassify the word’s meaning for them.
That was my thought – we can’t “take control of the language” or “make it a positive”. It’s not about us.
If the people so described want to try, that’s up to them. But it can’t come from the outside.
Absolutely, the concept needs to be accepted and embraced by the community in question. I agree completely with that.
However, since we are all still part of that discussion that also means that we can make the suggestion or put the idea out there so its actually a part of the discussion.
Clearly we all have opinions on the issue. There is no problem with that. You have your own opinion and you’ve expressed it on a national forum. You may not be part of the culture but you are part of the conversation. There is no requirement that your opinion must be a particular way, and no rule against holding the opinon I hold.
Expressing and discussing that opinion may lead to a more positive outcome.
I see a couple of problems with your proposal. Fist off, intentions matter. If Native Americans are “invited” to appropriate the term “Redskins” for themselves just so a bunch of football fans can cheer on their favorite team without feeling all defensive about it, the movement is off to an extremely poor start.
When other derogatory terms have been repurposed by their intended targets, it has been done with a certain element of defiance that empowers and instills positive identity in the face of the prevailing culture. Acquiescing to the continued use of a term that perpetuates negative stereotypes as expressions of fan devotion would be no act of self-empowering defiance on the part of Native Americans.
Secondly, slurs that have been reappropriated by their targets usually take a long time to be fully integrated into acceptable mainstream vernacular. Until that happens, the terms still carry a bit of the sting that made them slurs in the first place.
Would the “Washington Whigs” or the “Toronto Tories” ruffle many feathers nowadays? Probably not. But try naming a team the Birmingham Heebs, the Quebec Queers, or the San Antonio Sluts. Are those terms are back in the mainstream enough to fly?
It’s the same with “Redskins.” Even if Native Americans do reappropriate the term, the term’s legacy doesn’t change overnight. Time needs to pass before the reclamation is complete.
Anyone advocating for “repurposing” the term must allow for it to be retired as a team name and defer to Native Americans about how it should be used. Anything less makes one’s motivations look awfully suspicious.
The link to the CPBL is wrong I believe and the American Athletic Conference link is dead. Sorry I sound like a snob.
Pointing out broken and incorrect links is always appreciated. No snobbery taken!
“Texas State Senator Wendy Davis’s pink Mizuno sneakers have become an iconic symbol.” — props to Wendy Davis for standing up for the little guy against the tyranny of Nike.
Well that nutter George Mason professor (and, apparently, Rush Limbaugh fill-in host) is not doing anyone any favours with his nuttery.
But I do kind of like the reference to “busybodies and tyrants.”
A “busybody” gets up in his apartment in Brooklyn and decides he needs to DO SOMETHING about ensuring that everyone must live in a world that comports with his own particular mores.
A “tyrant” goes about attempting to tell other people what to do. All the better if the person being ordered about is essentially going about their life and not harming or injuring the “tyrant” in any way.
So one could argue that YOU, Paul and Phil, and the rest of the Sensitivity Gestapo, are the definition of busybodies and tyrants.
One might well have said it to Martha Burke so many years ago: leave idiots alone to be idiots. If they are on the wrong side of history they will fail in the end. But when you take up the mantle of the busybody and tyrant, you just make the obnoxious people somewhat sympathetic and you demonstrate rather conclusively that you yourselves are the truly obnoxious ones.
Hmmmm (wakes up in the morning)… ‘I think I’ll embark upon iteration 897,457 of my pet cause of trying to ban Native American nicknames. I am doing this because:’
A) I care THAT much about something I have fuck-all to do with; or,
B) I want to get my rocks off in showing people how right-thinking and “sensitive” I am.
ty·rant Noun
1) A cruel and oppressive ruler.
2) A person exercising power or control in a cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary way.
Synonyms
despot – oppressor
Allow me, Andrew, to point out the absolute bullshit you just spewed.
1) Paul and Phil have never called for a ban on the names. In fact, they, along with a vast number of media outlets, are simply picking up on the fact that the fan are the ones who want this changed. If you want to censor media, please begin your dictatorship here and see how far you get.
2) Neither Paul nor Phil has the ability to ban any team from using any name they wish. If a team was so inclined to call themselves the “Blackskins” or “Yellowskins”, they are completely free to do so. Although the backlash experienced may force the franchise to reconsider. It’s what we call “popular opinion”. It has a vast power in most countries.
3) What is right is not always popular. It may not have been popular to ban trans fats in foods, but we did that without losing anything of importance. So why is changing the name wrong if popular opinion states it would be the “right thing to do”?
4) The statement “I want to get my rocks off in showing people how right-thinking and ‘sensitive’ I am” indicates you see that it is correct as well. So are you a racist or a progressive? Because you’re either one or the other.
5) Maybe keep the commentary that others have made regarding topics far different from this topic away from this topic. Clearly, you use words you have no business using to try and rationale your point. Instead of looking at the merits of the argument, you resort to name-calling – the sign of a losing side in an argument. Well played.
Sometimes, I am astounded at how Darwinism hasn’t saved us yet.
one could argue that YOU, Paul and Phil, and the rest of the Sensitivity Gestapo, are the definition of busybodies and tyrants.
One sure could. Hell, one could argue 2+2=5 if one wanted. But one might quickly learn that some arguments are stronger than others.
Hmmmm (wakes up in the morning)… ‘I think I’ll embark upon iteration 897,457 of my pet cause of trying to ban Native American nicknames. I am doing this because:’
I realize it’s fun to imagine me plotting all sorts of way to espouse a “pet cause.” But the fact of the matter is that about 95% of the ’Skins- and Native-related things I’ve linked to have been sent to me by readers. I haven’t gone looking for this content; it has come looking for me. Perhaps it frustrates you that this content is currently in the news, and/or that your fellow Uni Watch readers deem it worth sharing, but please don’t blame any of that on me.
Jeremy Brahm routinely sends (and I routinely post) links regarding Chinese volleyball uniforms. Ditto for Eric Bangeman and his rugby links, Sean Clancy and his cycling links, etc. I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that you don’t bother clicking on any of those links, because you’re probably not a fan of those sports. And that’s fine — I don’t follow those sports myself. But please tell me: Are Jeremy, Eric, and Sean “tyrants” who have “pet projects” that they impose upon your delicate sensibilities? Or are they just interested in something that you don’t particularly care about, and so you skip over that content and move on?
I submit that it is the latter. And I further submit that your inability to take the same approach to the ’Skins-related content — i.e., skip over and move on — says a lot more about you than the posting of such content says about me.
Think harder.
leave idiots alone to be idiots. If they are on the wrong side of history they will fail in the end.
(That silence you hear is me leaving you alone.)
link Does he do that regularly?
Meanwhile, link to answer a question further above.
Yeah, that’s pretty standard for him.
Blue Jays are going with standard NOB today and not the traditional CNOB (Country Name on Back)
Redskins held a two-hour focus group that asked about beer prices, potential games at RFK Stadium, and that one topic that’s a non-issue that’s created out of thin air by Paul: link
If Paul didn’t keep bringing it up, Luntz wouldn’t have had to address it. Duh!
I lovelovelove the “V” on the socks in this 1936-37 Chicago Blackhawks pic from the Chicago Tribune site:
link
But odd how only the goalie has the white pants shown here:
link
while the others have dark pants.
-Jet
allow me to add:
Quite a bit of controversy among Southampton fans in that the board has neglected to include their iconic “stripes” last season and now the next.
2012/2013
link
Compare with:
2005/06
link
2006-2008
link
2008-2010
link
The large white stripes shrunk to hardly noticeable last year. This year the stripes have been relegated to the sleeves only. And to infuriate the fan base even more, the club comments on the only stripes of importance:
“Both the home and away kits include adidas’s iconic three stripes”
#SaveOurStripes
I think my local baseball team (Thunder Bay Border Cats in Northwood League – summer collegiate league) had a better jersey for Canada Day than the Jays.
No pics up yet of today’s game at their site but there is a video of the game on you tube – near start of video (24 seconds in) gives good shot of uniforms (similar to team Canada hockey jersey in the Canada Cup games). All jersey auctioned off with proceeds going to Special Olympics.
link
Kansas Football is going to drop a look at some “new uniform choices” around about 4pm CDT.
Charlie Weis has already Tweeted “Remember, some for recruiting without forgetting past” in preparation.
I’m expecting the worst from adidas.
And here it is, via a Vine:
link
Jayhawk on the helmets: NICE.
1941 “Fighting” Jayhawk on the red helmet: FANTASTIC
The light blue and BFBS options have been seen before as one-time alternates, I wonder if they’re going to be in a rotation going forward…..
I’d put the 1941 logo on more than just the red.
I wonder why Kansas’ BFBS uniforms don’t use Trajan font on the jerseys. Didn’t a lot of KU basketball fans get pretty worked up when the university brass forced Trajan font on the basketball uniforms, abandoning the traditional Old West-style font the team had worn for decades? So much for that whole “brand standardization” argument…
The Huntsville Stars were planning to just raffle three guns away. But now it has been canceled.
I took a bunch of pictures at the Mariners(Turks)/Cubs game on Saturday.
Way up in the 300 level of right field here’s what I saw….
link
I love the photos, especially the shots in the stands. You’ve put together a rather effective glimpse (in just two dimensions, no less) into what the experience of being at that game was like.
Thanks a lot, BvK. I appreciate that.
Pretty interesting tidbit regarding the Lego minifigure…
link
Turns out the hole in the figure’s head was designed to let air pass through in case the piece was swallowed. Brilliant! And I always thought it was just Lego’s version of a squatchee…
Diamondbacks have black armbands tonight to honor the firefighters who died in the wildfires on Sunday night. According to the article they will wear black jerseys with special patches as a tribute during their upcoming homestand this weekend. They also said they would wear a patch for the rest of the season.
link
Photos: link
Back in the early 90s, the Pirates had a real stop sign put up behind the catcher in the Three Rivers Stadium home bullpen. It was there to remind relief pitchers to stop after getting in the set position. I forget if it was just to avoid a balk, or to also make them take their time and not rush things.
I wonder in the “STOP” on the chest protector was a similar message.
I see that New Jersey recycling logo all the time on garbage trucks in Boston, too!