We may indulge in racial stereotypes, but that doesn't mean we're racists...does it??

Bill Shanks’ column in the Macon Telegraph on why the Atlanta Braves should bring back their old mascot Chief Noc-A-Homa—a caricature of an Native American chief with a name that appears to be a baseball pun mashed together with what someone thought sounded like an “Indian name”— begins thusly: We live in a politically correct world these days, with people sensitive about anything and everything. You can probably guess where it goes from there.

Political correctness run amok? Or acceding to the realization that calling for the promotion of racist and/or racially-charged symbols is an idea unlikely to be met with universal acclaim? I suppose that might just depend on which side of the racial/ideological spectrum you might happen to call home.

Time was having someone dressed up in what everyone imagined to be Native American garb made for a perfectly serviceable mascot. Who could argue with someone who looked and acted so stereotypical realistic, right?? A big ol’ hatchet, a war bonnet, some face paint, and a few war whoops later, and you had a gin-yoo-wine Injun, knowhutimean?

Except that it turns out that such poorly camouflaged attempts at cultural appropriation weren’t always particularly well-received among Native Americans, some of whom have for years protested what they view as cheap racism. Uh…et tu, Washington Redskins?? There have been other offenders, of course, and there have been voices occasionally raised against what they see as capitulation to “political correctness.” Thus far, though, no sportswriter (so far as we know) has written a column advocating for the return of the bad old days…until now.

Evidently, there be dinosaurs here. Stay classy, eh?