MLB sends American teams to Japan to play baseball before the Opening Day in the USA. The display of the sign “Japanese Only” by some fans at a soccer game in Japan and the failure of the stadium and teams to remove it is proof positive that racism is still alive and unchallenged far too often in Japan and the world. With teams like the Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins, mascots like Chief Wahoo, the Chicago Blackhawks crude Native American logo and the Atlanta Braves logo with the tomahawk American Baseball, Football and Hockey are exporting and encouraging such nationalistic racism worldwide.
Perpetuating hatred and stereotypes is not anything the teams or their fans should support or endorse. Ever. We all can and must do better. Make it a challenge–what names would you choose that look forward, are powerful and exciting?
Yesterday is over. We have today. What can we do to make it a good day today and a better day tomorrow? Look forward….new names, logos, mascots?
Racism Is Not A Game 