ESPN's Bomani Jones riles fans up with Cleveland Caucasians shirt

[DigitalDrifter]

Doesn't bother me.

For years now, many have urged the Cleveland Indians to drop the Chief Wahoo logo. The mascot depicts a racist caricature of Native Americans, and is clearly offensive to many Native American groups.

[Sign up for Fantasy Baseball | Play for $40K | Expert rankings | Mock draft

While the team has moved away from Chief Wahoo as its primary logo, he hasn't gone away completely. It's still incredibly easy to pick up merchandise with the mascot front and center.

In order to point out the racism to those still in denial, Shelf Life Clothing created the "Caucasians tee," a shirt that parodies the Indians logo, but replaces the Native America with a stereotype of a white person. Those shirts have existed for some time, but were thrust into the national spotlight Thursday.
That's Bomani Jones of ESPN wearing a Cleveland Caucasians shirt on the network. He immediately began trending on Twitter, as many watching had strong opinions about the T-shirt. Not surprisingly, Jones was reportedly told to cover up the shirt after some at ESPN "freaked out," according to TMZ. Jones appeared later on the program with his hoodie slightly zipped up, but people at home could still make out the logo.

.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

If you're sitting at home thinking, "that's offensive," well, yeah, that's the point. Native Americans see the Chief Wahoo logo often over the six-month period when baseball is played. On top of that, the logo is worn and endorsed by a professional baseball team. It's impossible to ignore, but little is done to change that.

Compared to the exposure Chief Wahoo gets throughout half the year, the Caucasians shirt pales in comparison. Ideally, it elicits the same response, and people who have adamantly denied the racism behind the Chief Wahoo logo will reconsider their stance.

Probably not, though. The people who staunchly defend Chief Wahoo will more than likely continue to fill their diapers complaining about Jones and his Caucasians T-shirt. That's the point. The Caucasians shirt is supposed to expose the hypocrisy of those who still support the Chief Wahoo logo.

Jones is a big-time sports personality, and ESPN is a huge sports network, so it will be interesting to see if the publicity the shirt receives prompts change from MLB or from the Indians. That seems incredibly unlikely, but credit to Jones for bringing more attention to the issue.

[Elsewhere: Kenta Maeda's Dodgers debut could not have gone any better

ESPN has suspended on-air personalities for less, so Jones' actions could cost him some screen time in the coming weeks. If that's the case, we're willing to guess Jones is more than happy to lose some pay if it causes some to reconsider their position on Chief Wahoo.

ESPN's Bomani Jones riles fans up with Cleveland Caucasians shirt

 

[DigitalDrifter]

 

[Sunni Man]

If a white sportscaster wore the same shirt but with "negroid's" written on it.

All hell would break loose and he would be fired. ......

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

How did such an ignorant and intellectually challenged racist like that get a job with ESPN? Oh, that's right. He's black.

 

[Katzndogz]

It's a good idea.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

I suppose no one has ever heard of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame or the Boston Celtics.
What a bunch of moronic racist dupes.

 

[Bruce_T_Laney]

If the idiot want to wear something that stupid so be it, but it will not stop me from calling the Cleveland Baseball team the Indians or remembering their mascot...

Also if the idiot was trying to insult the white community he should have had it made saying Crackers or Honky and not the Caucasians...

Thatt person earned " What a Fucking Retard " award for today...

 

[Katzndogz]

Get 2000 white guys wearing shirts that say Cleveland Caucasians and de dindus would be demanding mass arrests for such racism.

 

[turzovka]

Doesn't bother me.

For years now, many have urged the Cleveland Indians to drop the Chief Wahoo logo. The mascot depicts a racist caricature of Native Americans, and is clearly offensive to many Native American groups.

[Sign up for Fantasy Baseball | Play for $40K | Expert rankings | Mock draft

While the team has moved away from Chief Wahoo as its primary logo, he hasn't gone away completely. It's still incredibly easy to pick up merchandise with the mascot front and center.

In order to point out the racism to those still in denial, Shelf Life Clothing created the "Caucasians tee," a shirt that parodies the Indians logo, but replaces the Native America with a stereotype of a white person. Those shirts have existed for some time, but were thrust into the national spotlight Thursday.
That's Bomani Jones of ESPN wearing a Cleveland Caucasians shirt on the network. He immediately began trending on Twitter, as many watching had strong opinions about the T-shirt. Not surprisingly, Jones was reportedly told to cover up the shirt after some at ESPN "freaked out," according to TMZ. Jones appeared later on the program with his hoodie slightly zipped up, but people at home could still make out the logo.

.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

If you're sitting at home thinking, "that's offensive," well, yeah, that's the point. Native Americans see the Chief Wahoo logo often over the six-month period when baseball is played. On top of that, the logo is worn and endorsed by a professional baseball team. It's impossible to ignore, but little is done to change that.

Compared to the exposure Chief Wahoo gets throughout half the year, the Caucasians shirt pales in comparison. Ideally, it elicits the same response, and people who have adamantly denied the racism behind the Chief Wahoo logo will reconsider their stance.

Probably not, though. The people who staunchly defend Chief Wahoo will more than likely continue to fill their diapers complaining about Jones and his Caucasians T-shirt. That's the point. The Caucasians shirt is supposed to expose the hypocrisy of those who still support the Chief Wahoo logo.

Jones is a big-time sports personality, and ESPN is a huge sports network, so it will be interesting to see if the publicity the shirt receives prompts change from MLB or from the Indians. That seems incredibly unlikely, but credit to Jones for bringing more attention to the issue.

[Elsewhere: Kenta Maeda's Dodgers debut could not have gone any better

ESPN has suspended on-air personalities for less, so Jones' actions could cost him some screen time in the coming weeks. If that's the case, we're willing to guess Jones is more than happy to lose some pay if it causes some to reconsider their position on Chief Wahoo.

ESPN's Bomani Jones riles fans up with Cleveland Caucasians shirt

The Native American people have some very serious health and living problems in their communities. Problems that I believe our governments have been willing to try and help and subsidize since before my time.
Why is it the only issue troubling about Native Americans we ever hear about in the media is someone calling their sports team "the Indians?" Why is it it is the only issue we hear the leaders of those Native American tribes or communities protesting about?

This has never been about disrespect, but honor and courage. So why does a minority of Native Americans take such offense when it is a badge of honor? And why do most of them like it?

ps -- I actually like the name "caucasians!" They should put that on their alternative home jerseys.

 

[Pogo]

How did such an ignorant and intellectually challenged racist like that get a job with ESPN? Oh, that's right. He's black.

How is it "racist"?

 

[Pogo]

I suppose no one has ever heard of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame or the Boston Celtics.
What a bunch of moronic racist dupes.

"Irish" isn't a race though.

But I do have a problem with "Celtics". Not only do they mispronounce it with a soft C... it's an adjective. Should be "Boston Celts".

And you didn't mention the Minnesota Vikings.

 

[PredFan]

Just like the Redskins logo, the Braves, the Chiefs and the Seminoles, real actual tribes don't give a shit. In fact the Redskins logo is a source of pride to many of them.

The ONLY ones offended are the left wing nutter SJWs.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

How did such an ignorant and intellectually challenged racist like that get a job with ESPN? Oh, that's right. He's black.

How is it "racist"?

Because his shirt is intended to be disparagement of white people and that's because he is too stupid to tell the difference between homage and insult.
He is a bigot looking for an issue.

 

[Pogo]

How did such an ignorant and intellectually challenged racist like that get a job with ESPN? Oh, that's right. He's black.

How is it "racist"?

Because his shirt is intended to be disparagement of white people and that's because he is too stupid to tell the difference between homage and insult.
He is a bigot looking for an issue.

Ummmmmmmmm...... nooooo, you're plugging that "disparagement" in. There's nothing "disparaging" in the term "Cleveland Caucasians". It doesn't even have a verb.

Don't blame the shirt because you don't get the point.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

I suppose no one has ever heard of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame or the Boston Celtics.
What a bunch of moronic racist dupes.

"Irish" isn't a race though.

But I do have a problem with "Celtics". Not only do they mispronounce it with a soft C... it's an adjective. Should be "Boston Celts".

And you didn't mention the Minnesota Vikings.

You're arguing like a child.
Your pettiness is the equivalent of making the distinction between indigenous American tribes and actual Indians.

 

[PredFan]

The Caucasians? That is a mountain range, idiot.

No one would be offended. What else could we use from white culture?

The Executives
The Crusaders
The Conquerors
The Explorers
The Mountain Climbers
The Philosophers
The Mature
The Not Easily Offended

 

[rightwinger]

Chief Wahoo is as racist as it comes
Jones is merely pointing it out

How do Caucasians like it?

 

[Pogo]

I suppose no one has ever heard of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame or the Boston Celtics.
What a bunch of moronic racist dupes.

"Irish" isn't a race though.

But I do have a problem with "Celtics". Not only do they mispronounce it with a soft C... it's an adjective. Should be "Boston Celts".

And you didn't mention the Minnesota Vikings.

You're arguing like a child.
Your pettiness is the equivalent of making the distinction between indigenous American tribes and actual Indians.

Ummmmmm nooooooo, I'm arguing like somebody who knows what "race" means and what a noun is.

 

[rightwinger]

How did such an ignorant and intellectually challenged racist like that get a job with ESPN? Oh, that's right. He's black.

How is it "racist"?

Because his shirt is intended to be disparagement of white people and that's because he is too stupid to tell the difference between homage and insult.
He is a bigot looking for an issue.

Went right over your head didn't it?

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

How did such an ignorant and intellectually challenged racist like that get a job with ESPN? Oh, that's right. He's black.

How is it "racist"?

Because his shirt is intended to be disparagement of white people and that's because he is too stupid to tell the difference between homage and insult.
He is a bigot looking for an issue.

Ummmmmmmmm...... nooooo, you're plugging that "disparagement" in. There's nothing "disparaging" in the term "Cleveland Caucasians". It doesn't even have a verb.

Don't blame the shirt because you don't get the point.

There is no homage so it's obviously intended as a backhanded insult. You argue like a child.