Shakespeare could wax poetic about ‘What’s in a Name?’ because he didn’t have to contend with sports mascots …
It’s the politically-correct issue in America that refuses to subside. I consider myself to be an enlightened cyberbeing, but I contend there are just some topics that blur the bigger picture of an ethically responsible society, and complaining that mascots can be degrading is near the top of the list.
A quick check of Webster’s Twentieth Century Unabridged Dictionary defines ‘mascot’ as ‘any person, animal or thing supposed to bring good luck by being present.’ So, it would seem that a team mascot is an honorable title. Most mascots in American sports had their origins in the early 1900s. Back then, teams fumbled around with quaint monickers until they gradually realized the tremendous marketing value they carried. The New York Highlanders became the more regionally-identifiable Yankees, for instance, and the Chicago Cubs took their nickname so newspaper editors could more easily fit it into headlines. Distinguished symbols like Tigers and Giants appeared. Unique features like White...