Retirement time for chief

Perhaps the moment will be right next fall. The Cleveland Indians take the final step, capturing the World Series for the first time in seven decades, and then, as the joy lingers, announce the time has come to retire Chief Wahoo. The club could point to mission accomplished or to the launching of a new era . ...

Yet, there on opening day at Progressive Field were sports icons Jim Brown, Austin Carr and Jim Thome throwing out the first pitch wearing jerseys with Chief Wahoo attached. The picture of the three captured the power of the logo. Many among the Indians faithful feel passionately about the chief.

They see tradition, loyalty, even identity.

“It’s just a cartoon,” goes the frequent defense. When the talk turns to getting rid of the logo, many rush to the team merchandise shop, adding to the sales and club revenue. So it is easy to see why management nods to the concept of moving beyond the logo and then pulls up short. Hard to miss Chief Wahoo amply present in the crowd at the ballpark.

The trouble is, the chief isn’t just a cartoon. Neither is the opposition to the logo political correctness run amok.

Here is a glaring stereotype that offends, and those who take offense deserve respect.

No doubt, the original purpose wasn’t to demean. The idea was to convey joy, the fun in following the team. The logo succeeded. Yet that goes back to the 1940s. Sensibilities have changed ...

... Practically no one would accept a similar depiction of, say, African-Americans or Asian-Americans. Why then should American Indians face the offense while reassured it’s all in fun? The sooner the Cleveland Indians retire Chief Wahoo the better.