Can we, as a collective society, finally move past the use of racist, Native American stereotypes for team names? While the use of "red faced" stereotypes are still justified within the sporting worlds in both the U.S. and Canada, one shirt company decided to parody the controversy, manufacturing "Caucasian" t-shirts.
The shirts, which are a logo flip of "Chief Wahoo" from the Cleveland Indians, have been in production at Cleveland-based Shelf Life Clothing since 2007. However, following tensions between DJ NDN, (an Ojibwe musician and member of group A Tribe Called Red) and the Nepean, Ontario community, the t-shirts have been selling faster than ever.
The controversy began when DJ NDN (real name Ian Campeau) filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission about the racism behind the Nepean Redskins name, a local football team. Ultimately, his complaint prompted the team to change their name, ultimately settling on the Nepean Eagles. Unfortunately Campeau's actions have stirred up quite a backlash (not unlike the Washington Redskins here in the States) from the Nepean locals, who threatened and harassed Campeau as a result of his activism in changing the racist Redskins name.
Brian Kirby of Shelf Life Clothing mentioned that while he was selling the shirts well enough for the last few years, sales have "skyrocketed" since the controversy with Campeau and the former Nepean Redskins. The customers are varied too, with Kirby noting that he's selling the shirts to "indigenous peoples and Chief Wahoo supporters alike.” Orders from Canada make up roughly 25 percent of the shirt's sales.
If you're interested in your own piece of the popular parody, head over to Shelf Life Clothing. They also have a more direct criticism of the Washington Redskins' logo via the "Your Team Name is Disparaging" tee.
[via The Toronto Star]
