So, What to think about the proposed nickname change of the Washington Redskins?
I suppose it depends on whether you see it as a political — or politically correct — issue, or a common decency issue. I prefer the latter.
“Redskins” is not like Braves or Warriors, respectful, flattering nicknames. But even the most obdurate fan, one who would have no problem as part of an NFL crowd — even one partially sober — cheering for the “Redskins” would be unlikely to approach a North American Indian and refer to him or her as “redskin.”
Why? Because most minimally right-headed folks know that is wrong, offensive. That should end it right there. “Redskins” had a nice run, but it is time — well past the time — to go. Except the rationalizations kick in.
“Redskins” is an old tradition. Agreed, but so were witch-burnings and wooden teeth. Fans won’t root as hard for a team named something else?
The majority of Washington’s fans prefer to sustain “Redskins”? If so, that doesn’t excuse the genuine offense taken by many American Indians to the sustained use of such a nickname. Why needlessly, worthlessly continue to offend any race? What point is there to make or prove?
It’s a freedom of expression and speech issue? Really? Then go ahead, knock yourself out, feel free.
Years ago I had a boss who couldn’t talk to me without first noting that I’m Jewish. (Actually, I’m a Jew; “Jew-ish” sounds as if I’m working on it, but not quite there.)
“Good morning, my Jewish friend,” he would say. He similarly would refer to other Jews on the staff. “Your Jewish friend, over there …” Never heard him cite the religion of non-Jewish staffers, never heard, “So, my Methodist friend …”
Seemed he saw me, first, as a Jew, everything else followed. I told him to cut it out. I didn’t know what his religion is, nor did I care. I asked why mine mattered to him.
He took great offense that I had taken offense. He figured I was the one with the problem.
Pete Weber, TV/radio voice of the NHL Predators — now there’s a nickname — grew up in Galesburg, Ill., where his high school would play ball against Pekin, a town outside Peoria.
Incredibly, not until 1981 was Pekin High’s nickname changed to the Dragons from — ready? — the Chinks! Pekin Chinks, get it? “Pekin’s mascot,” Weber said, “would run around dressed like a Chinese coolie!”
Yet, there are those in Pekin who remain angry the name was changed to satisfy “politically correct liberals” — as if acting, even so late, to remove such a racist nickname was the work of an anti-American, subversive movement!
But everything is easily explained and dismissed as a matter of politics. You don’t like the vulgar content of TV shows? Aha! You’re a right-wing Christian nut loaf!
But since the late 1960s, everything, for the sake of over-simplification, simple classification and the simple-minded, is reduced to Hard Hats vs. Hippies.
If the Washington NFL franchise were born this year, there is no way it would be named the Redskins. No U.S. team, in 2013 — or 1983 — would be assigned the nickname applied to a race, let alone the first to inhabit North America.
Is that a matter of being politically correct or just plain correct?
Granted, the ridiculous among the “politically correct” — those who explain and excuse spray-painting graffiti vandals as “street artists” — do make it difficult for proponents of do-unto-others sensitivity.
Regardless, it’s time to lose “Redskins,” but not as a matter of being politically correct or to surrendering to some conspiratorial force that threatens our Constitutional freedoms.
Losing “Redskins” is about right from wrong. And, my Jewish and non-Jewish friends, better late than never.
Kudos to Kay for owning up on-air error
Good stuff from our local TV guys during Mets-Yankees on Thursday.
On YES, Michael Kay watched a shot down the right-field line by Yankee Reid Brignac, then hollered, “If it’s a fair ball, it’s gone!” After a replay showed the ball sinking, foul, well short of a homer, Kay said he was wrong.
Shoot, in media today, admitting to getting one thing wrong is more impressive than getting 10 things right.
On Ch. 11, Travis Hafner appeared to top an inside pitch into the batter’s box. And that’s what Gary Cohen reported.
“I think he swung at that ball, and it hit him!” Ron Darling said. A slo-mo replay showed just that. “I’ve never seen that,” Keith Hernandez said. “How does that happen?”
* Funny, what the word “closer” becomes when one removes just one letter, the “c.”
Angels’ closer Ernesto Frieri, with a 4-1 lead Wednesday, entered to pitch the ninth. He allowed two home runs. But a save’s a save — it was his 11th. Three saves prior, Frieri allowed a home run. In his save after that, he walked three, allowed a hit and an earned run.
But saves, generally reflecting no more — and often less — than one inning pitched, are compiled then recited as evidence of a pitcher’s achievement and success. Ernesto Frieri or Mariano Rivera — a save’s a save!
* Interesting, how reliant MSG Network is on old Marv Albert calls to produce such shows as “MSG Originals” and “The Garden Transformed.” Yet, the longtime “Voice of The Garden” was fired for being “negative” about horrible Knicks teams.
In the past few days, MSG aired “Spring of ’94” — when the Rangers won the Cup and the Knicks made the finals. Unmentioned is that it was the last time The Garden operated without Jim Dolan at the wheel.
* First, TV’s golf folks began to tell us that “the ball found the fairway,” “found the water, “found the bunker” — as if the player didn’t hit it there; the ball looked for it before deciding to stop there.
Then came “the ball is safely on the putting surface,” as if the ball dodged enemy fire to get there — and is if anyone outside of TV would say such a ridiculously formal thing, instead of, “It’s on the green.”
And now, after short putts are made, we hear, “Safely in the hole” — as if the ball, in search of refuge, had succeeded in crossing into Switzerland.
And then, because no bad idea or silly expression is unworthy of duplication then perpetuation, we’re stuck with them until the next silly expression moves in. And that’s my walk-off ending!