Are the Chicago Blackhawks a Racist Organization?

[The Straight Story]

Are the Chicago Blackhawks a Racist Organization?

If you knew me, you'd know I'm far from a political correctness kind of guy. I think we should all have thick skin and the ability to know when someone is and is not a racist.

That statement brings me to my question of the day: Are the Chicago Blackhawks a racist organization?

*Gasp!*

Well, of course they are not.

The other day I was browsing Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net, as I do regularly, and came across an old Blackhawks logo that caught my attention. It was an old-timey logo from 1935 with a red colored Indian head. Quite different from today's Hawks logo - and in no way could that thing pass in the PC world now.

However, the Blackhawks still use an Indian head. Not as offensive as people make out the Cleveland Indian's "Chief Wahoo" Indian head to be, but still offensive to some.

Reading throught the comments on sportslogos.net, it seems like a 50/50 split between it being racist and it being totally acceptable.

When you read comments from Native-Americans on how it's offensive, it's rather easy to understand where they are coming from. BUT, what about the comments from Native-Americans who say they don't have a problem with these logos?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/169575-are-the-chicago-blackhawks-a-racist-organization

[MercutioATC]

1. No, and neither are the Cleveland Indians.

[dem629]

2. No, of course not.

[pretzel4gore]

3. will you goddam people* go back whence ye came?

and leave 'Turtle Island' in the pristine condition it was in when we was the landlords? Is that too much to ask?

*euro first nations, and their adherents

[madrchsod]

4. using blackhawk for a chicago team is incorrect

blackhawk was from the tribe that covered northwestern illinois and part of southern wisconsin. the native americans around the chicago area were a different tribe.

[hfojvt]

5. clearly they are

they should now be the African-American Hawks.


Sort of up to the Native Americans to decide if they are offended. Kinda presumptuous for a white guy to be offended for them, or to dismiss any offense they might feel. Still the fact that a team name, the Town Xers, is based on the idea that X is a fearsome and mighty warrior seems to me like naming a team the Huron hfojvts is a recognition of my prowess.

Might have to change the name of Huron though, especially since it is in Sioux territory.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Over 80% of Native Ams surveyed did not see the Blackhawks or Redskins logos as offensive.

Cleveland and Atlanta are seen as offensive.