Clevland's MLB team gets a new name

Vendors Russ Adams, John Hagan and Donald Morris chat with Executive Assistant Patrick Edwards.

Donald: Hello, SportsWise fans! Here we are with some thoughts on the team formerly known as the Cleveland Indians—now, the Cleveland Guardians. Anyone have any thoughts? Russ, John, Patrick?

Patrick: I do have a few thoughts, but I want to hear yours. I have a feeling you got some good stuff for us.

Donald: I do. That Cleveland changed its name from a slur of sorts to something that sounds like a winning superhero is a step-up so far as racism and prejudice is concerned. I believe this name change will be great for what’s happening with our country.

John: Well, it’s funny. I don’t feel the name was ever racist. Now, the logo I can see absolutely needing a change, but Indians is a real word.

Patrick: Right, but it’s only perceived as positive more so in the area of “the people of India.” Mind you, the term “Indians” in reference to Native Americans came about because Christopher Columbus mistakenly believed he’d landed on the shores of South Asia. He thought he’d landed in the Indies; thus, he figured he was in the presence of Indians. However, the problem becomes “How long do we hold on to this name that doesn’t represent the folks it was intended to represent?”

Russ: Look, personally, I don’t get why folks get so offended by team names...

John: I’m with you for the most part. But, yeah, to know that about Columbus mistakenly believing he’d landed in the Indies is kinda an eyeopener. I didn’t know that’s where the word “Indians” came from. I mean, obviously, I knew that the word Indians came from India, but growing up with cowboys and Indians, the cowboys were "Americans."

Patrick: I get that. The weird thing for me is that there weren’t just white cowboys; shoot, there were Black and Latino and other ones as well. So, were all minorities tossed into the “Indian side” of things?

Donald: I don’t know. We may all be family, but we do have an identity.

Russ: Right. Although, to put “Native” at the beginning sort of takes away from their identity as well. Feels a bit like “You were the first here, but you’re no longer It.”

John: I get that a little bit… but I don’t completely agree with it. I mean, everyone has something in front of “American,” right? Why not Native Americans?

Donald: Well, “Native” doesn’t quite work for me. African American, Australian American, Latino American, all of them tell of a place they are from because they’re no longer there. the now-Cleveland Guardians news, I’m good with it. New name, new logo and, perhaps, a new beginning in regard to race relations—especially perceptions. And, wait, before we wrap, the new name is inspired by the “Guardians of Traffic” statues on Cleveland’s Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. Interesting…

Donald: As long as this change is combined with better behavior within the organization and anywhere else that needs changing, then I can dig it.

Russ: I feel the same way. Sometimes, change takes time and, often, it doesn’t happen in the way we want. But, then, we can’t rewind and do it again.

John: We can only move forward and be better.