This is why I hope Cleveland loses

[kwassa]

17. The Cleveland American Indian Movement has been protesting a long time ...

http://clevelandaim.us/aim

In the promotion of healthy Native communities through education and activism, Cleveland A.I.M. has led the fight against American Indian caricatures and mascots. In January 1972, Cleveland A.I.M. sued Cleveland Baseball for libel and slander, in an unsuccessful effort to change the “Cleveland Indians” team name and abolish its shameful, racist dead-Indian-head logo “Chief Wahoo”. Through our Campaign for Dignity, we have demonstrated at Cleveland Home Openers since 1973.

In 1995, we sued Gateway Corporation, who manages the stadium where Cleveland Baseball plays, for violating our civil and legal right to speak on public property. Their attempt to squash our demonstrations failed, and we continue to protest at every Opening Day. We will continue to pursue all avenues of disruption until the Little Red Sambo “Chief Wahoo“ has gone the way of “Little Black Sambo“ and the “Frito Bandito“.

In 1999, we filed a civil rights complaint against "Cleveland Indians" baseball with the Ohio Commission on Civil Rights.

Our fight in Ohio does not end there. In 2007, after a year-long effort working with local Natives and other activists, we successfully petitioned Oberlin School Board (Oberlin, Ohio) to change its district's “Oberlin Indians” team name and Indian-head mascot. Our Campaign for Dignity in Education is focusing on eliminating the use of bigoted and racist imagery in secondary education throughout Ohio.

When I was at Oberlin High School 35 years ago, I attempted to lead an effort to change the team name. I failed miserably. I am glad it is now changed.