I was watching the baseball game the other night so
I missed it. I missed Bob Costas’ scolding sermon to the nation about the appalling
fact that in 2013 we still have a sports team named the Redskins. I couldn’t agree more. In fact, now that Bob has broached
the subject, there are a couple of other offensively named teams that need to
be held to account.
You don’t have to be of Scandinavian descent to be
offended by this violent marauding caricature of an entire ancient culture.
Yes, the Vikings were known to raise a little hell back in the day (sorta like
American Indians), but is this really a fair and wholesome way to honor an
entire race of people? It would be one thing if the Vikings were a team from
Arizona or Tennessee, but the team is in Minnesota for corn’s sake! Talk about
rubbing their faces in it? Appalled doesn’t even begin to describe what the
good people in Minneapolis must be thinking.
Then there’s this hideous affront to civility. Being
of Irish heritage myself, this one hits close to home. Notre Dame’s Leprechaun
mascot is possibly the second most racist symbol in America next to the
Confederate flag, playing up as it does that most ancient slur, that of the
Irishmen as drunken brawlers. Cannot the Irish be depicted as great poets,
inspired musicians and dancers? Must it always be the Irish as undisciplined pugilists?
Yes, I’m aware of the old adage about God creating whisky to keep the Irish
from ruling the world, but this is 2013 and past time to overcome these hateful
stereotypes.
So, preach it Bob. But I hope your next rant will
include a little indignation for people of pallor. Surely Scandinavian and
Irish Americans deserve better.
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