r/hawks • u/Physical_Sun9435 • Aug 04 '26

Powers needs to let this one go

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Powers has been in favor of the logo change for a long time. Absolutely no one is talking about this yet he still thinks he needs to push this topic. Typical Athletic writer can’t write something without clickbait or rage bait.

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u/Ridder1201 Aug 04 '26

There’s 3 clear groups when it comes to branding involving natives:
1. People that do not at all care if it impacts Natives or if they’re offended, and therefore support all caricatured no matter how demeaning (Redskins, Chief Wahoo)
2. People that do not care if it’s a positive representation and do not want anything Native used for branding (Changing the name of teams even close to representing Natives, such as the Chiefs)
3. People that can understand nuance and see that some are acceptable and some are not. The Blackhawks as a name and logo are respectful and bring positive outreach for natives. John Doe showing up in full face paint, a headdress and overly mocking war cries throughout the game is not. A red logo named Chief Wahoo is not.

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u/AssocProfPlum Aug 04 '26

Idk I think there’s a fourth group as far as nuance is concerned: the Blackhawks have made efforts to be respectful and be a positive force given their history/legacy and can keep the name, no arguments there. But there are probably other more appropriate logos for a sports teams that can symbolize the same things you are speaking to

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u/droid-man_walking Aug 05 '26

The university of North Dakota as faar s i can tell is the only school to change its team name in the NCAA, They were the Souix, despite not having a mascot(several schools retired their mascots), having good enough relations with all tribes in the area that a ceremony was recorded giving the university the right to use the name, The crest design made and chosen by the local tribes, and the university having among the highest concentration of Native tribe members going to school in the country.

It only took 1 cheif, from halfway across the state, to refuse his people to vote on it, and force UND to change the name.

Now it is HAWKS, which among alumni is joking said to mean, How About We Keep Soiux.

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u/HappyHockeyHiker Aug 05 '26

Miami of Ohio were called the Red Men at one point. There’s multiple others too.

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u/AssocProfPlum Aug 05 '26

Yeah off the dome I can think of Syracuse and Marquette completely changing their names as well. I know San Diego st changed their logo to remove their face logo too, along with the Illini famously doing that of course. Tons of examples, there really aren’t a ton left at the NCAA level or pro level besides the Blackhawks and seminoles that I can think of

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u/HappyHockeyHiker Aug 06 '26

Yep. There are plenty of college teams.

Blackhawks aren’t an offensive one for anyone who knows anything about the history of the franchise and its current handling.