by Jason Martin

Created on: May 10, 2009   Last Updated: May 13, 2009

The use of most mascot names, and indigenous species in particular is silly and ridiculous. While many defame the practice as some influence or misuse of the original name, I content that they are basically meaningless because the subject usually bears no real resemblence in fact or practice to the group or specie that it is named after.

Consider this with sports teams. While there have been many teams named after native American tribes, there are almost never any team members which have that natural origin. The native tribe probably never played the subject game, and the players probably have little or no skill in the real-life skills of the native people. The same is true of naming teams after animals. The players have no real resemblence to the animals in look or skill.

The American obsession with sports teams has reached a ridiculous level, and this abstract argument about the political correctness of the naming shows just how far it has gone. Sports, like religion, are somewhat the opiate of the masses. It occupies the masses time and energy so that they don't have time and energy to see what is really happening to their societies.

Most team sports are a zero sum game in that every contest has a winner and a loser. Basing ones allegiance on who is happening to have an uptrend at the moment is totally meaningless. In the long run, all things will equal out. The regional affection is also misplaced since few of the players in any professional team is really 'from' the subject area. It's more a matter of what team can buy the best talent. The track record of any professional team is usually more in line with its budget than any regional affiliation or symbology of its name.

So, back to the topic, is it right or wrong to use some native name or the name of an animal? While both are equally false and baseless, it hardly seems a worthy use of time to argue the issue. Native groups might be complimented by the wanted association, but beyond that why even worry about it. As for the animals, perhaps they have always had the best response to having their name used. Nothing. Just go on without regard.

I wonder how many teams even bother to assess the qualities of the namesake that they take on. You see countless soccer, baseball and other teams named after very interesting animals, but do the team members really even know the qualities that make that animal unique? Do the members of the "Pirates" know any history of piracy or the famous figures in the history? For that matter, do most of those who now call themselves "Americans" even have much of an idea of what that illustrious title means?

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