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waitingIndian Mascots Disrespect Us All
Today's football game features the top-ranked Whiteys against the second-place Darkies, who got tarred and feathered the last time the two teams faced off. The Whiteys and the Darkies entered the imaginary league amid complaints that such names were inappropriate and offensive, but owners and fans alike insist the monikers are terms of endearment -- no different than, say, the Redskins.
"Whitey means all-powerful, superior, masters of the game," one fan said. "It has nothing to do with racism, slavery or bilking American Indians out of Manhattan for $24 worth of beads."
Fans for the opposing team are just as adamant.
"Darkie means having melanin, which protects your skin from the sun and
lets you work longer on the field," one said. "There is nothing
derogatory about it. Back in the day, people would rub a darkie's head
for good luck. They wouldn't do that unless they admired them for their
magical powers."
...
And here come the mascots. For the Whiteys: a giant saltine cracker. For the Darkies: a watermelon rolling on 20-inch rims.
Indeed.
