Oscar Arredondo is a Native American who takes issue with the logos of sports teams who use cartoon depictions of his people. “Welcome to Cleveland, Home of the …” takes the image of the Cleveland Indians’, Chief Wahoo and puts it next to a series of what he would consider equally offensive characterizations of other races, nationalities, and ethnic groups. All of the characterizations take the general shape of Chief Wahoo including the oversized smile and add hats and other adornments to depict the groups. Some of the examples are of Jews, Negros, Skinheads, and French.
The link between the reading and Arredondo is found in Privilege, Power, and Difference chapter 6. The point that Arredondo is trying to make is that racism is still racism even if you call it something else. By calling the Cleveland Indians logo simply a logo, we are ignoring what should be a blatant unfavorable representation of Native Americans. Johnson gives concurrent arguments in the section of chapter 6 entitled “Calling It Something Else.”
I can see the artistic statement that Arredondo is making. By putting the Chief Wahoo logo next to the other fictional logos, he makes a real statement about the absurdity of the Indians logo. I got a little offended when I viewed the characterizations that represented my race, religion, and ethnicity, and that really gives one a look into the heart of what some Native Americans must feel when they see the icon. The “shocking” aspects of the piece make it a true piece of art. However I think that this is a cheap and rather brutish way of delivering a message. I wish Arredondo would have taken the moral high road and not resorted to bashing the other groups to make his point.
The link between the reading and Arredondo is found in Privilege, Power, and Difference chapter 6. The point that Arredondo is trying to make is that racism is still racism even if you call it something else. By calling the Cleveland Indians logo simply a logo, we are ignoring what should be a blatant unfavorable representation of Native Americans. Johnson gives concurrent arguments in the section of chapter 6 entitled “Calling It Something Else.”
I can see the artistic statement that Arredondo is making. By putting the Chief Wahoo logo next to the other fictional logos, he makes a real statement about the absurdity of the Indians logo. I got a little offended when I viewed the characterizations that represented my race, religion, and ethnicity, and that really gives one a look into the heart of what some Native Americans must feel when they see the icon. The “shocking” aspects of the piece make it a true piece of art. However I think that this is a cheap and rather brutish way of delivering a message. I wish Arredondo would have taken the moral high road and not resorted to bashing the other groups to make his point.
2 comments:
Hi Adam,
This is a fine post, with good use of specifics from course material. In general, you cannot use materials we go over in class for your media portfolio. You've done a nice job with this one outside of just the conversation we had in class, so this one is fine. Just make your other 9 outside sources.
Thanks,
Melissa
As per your in-class instructions, this is an extra credit blog.
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