Has anyone else had enough of people getting recently outraged over things that have existed for decades, if not longer? Maybe it’s just culture of cancellation that we’re currently living in after decades of being beaten over the head with the poison that is political correctness, but if you’re all of a sudden offended by something that’s been around since the 1970s, you open yourself up for ridicule.
Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskin Jr. recently told Car & Driver that “it’s time” Jeep stop using the name “Cherokee” as a name for one of the models in its line of vehicles.
"I’m sure this comes from a place that is well-intended, but it does not honor us by having our name plastered on the side of a car," Hoskin told the outlet. "The best way to honor us is to learn about our sovereign government, our role in this country, our history, culture, and language and have meaningful dialogue with federally recognized tribes on cultural appropriateness.”
In essence, Hoskin Jr. — and other activists like him — don’t want recognition, they just want people to learn about his people.
That’s all well and good, but to be offended about a product that’s been around for 47 years — the first Jeep Cherokee was built in 1974 — it would be like if cancel culture got iconic names like the Washington Redskins, Aunt Jemima and Uncle’s Ben’s stricken from our public consciousness.
Wait — that’s already happened to all of those names? Oops!
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“I think we're in a day and age in this country where it’s time for both corporations and team sports to retire the use of Native American names, images and mascots from their products, team jerseys and sports in general,” Hoskin also wrote in his statement.
Unfortunately for Hoskin, by getting rid of any reference to any “Native American names, images and mascots,” the acknowledgement of tribe will most likely have the opposite effect of what he wants. Less people will know about “Native Americans,” and because of that, fewer people will even look into the history of such proud tribes. It’s sad really that people still don’t understand that.
The point remains that just because we live in a culture that is becoming more oppressive by the day — and I mean actual oppression, not oppression narrative constantly pushed by the same people who want the offending names gone — that doesn’t mean we need to erase names and always kowtow to a very loud, but small minority. And when I say “minority,” I mean those in the outrage mob, regardless of identity-based characteristics.
H/T: Associated Press