http://www.clevescene.com/gyrobase/the-curse-of-chief-wahoo/Content?oid=2954423&showFullText=true
(http://rnishi.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/mlb_cle_chief_wahoo.jpg)
Interesting article on the Indians' logo. The blatant racism of the time is incredible.
QuoteOf course, it didn't hurt that the new name also happened to reinforce the image of Natives as anachronistic savages, the ballclub a fearsome force to be reckoned with. "In place of the Naps, we'll have the Indians, on the warpath all the time, and eager for scalps to dangle at their belts," wrote the Cleveland Leader in announcing the name change on January 17, 1915. In fact, none of the reports from the four daily Cleveland newspapers even mentions Sockalexis, but each is replete with negative stereotypes.
The Plain Dealer of the same day included a cartoon titled "Ki Yi Waugh Woop! They're Indians." The panel depicts, among other things, a frowning umpire scolding a Native American who says to him, "WUKWOG-O."
"When you talk to me, talk English, you wukoig," the ump replies. (The cartoon helpfully explains of "wukoig": "That last word is in Indian.")
There's also a section highlighting "New Rooting Lingo for the Fans," picturing a crowd of white men shouting noises like "WAHOO ZOEA-ERK!" and "SLKRO-WOW WAHOOOOOOO!"
Wow.
Despite all that, I still think it's a good-looking logo. I also like the C they're currently using.
I've never had a problem with this logo, but if so many people vehemently insist that it's racist and offensive, it must be so, right?