Chicago Blackhawks Issue Statement Regarding Their Name and Logo
Times are changing and, though we all might not agree, change is not always a bad thing. Some famous brands and professional sports teams are changing their team names and/or logos after determining it might be insensitive or flat out racist. Again, this is not necessarily a bad thing. In particular, Washington's professional football team has dropped its name, which is hard to argue. This has led Chicago's professional hockey team to issue a statement regarding their own team name and logo.
The Chicago Blackhawks might be a little behind in acknowledging their current team name and logo but it sounds as though there was a lot of thought and effort put into their statement. But, here is a sample of what the team had to say, according to NBC Sports.
We recognize there is a fine line between respect and disrespect, and we commend other teams for their willingness to engage in that conversation.
Prior to that line, the team did explain where the team name comes from and its importance. The team says they will continue to raise awareness of Chief Black Hawk, whose statue you can find at Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois. The 'Hawks will also continue to celebrate "the important contributions" of all Native American people, according to their statement.
We will continue to serve as stewards of our name and identity, and will do so with a commitment to evolve. Our endeavors in this area have been sincere and multi-faceted, and the path forward will draw on that experience to grow as an organization and expand our efforts.
For now, Chief Black Hawk will continue to be present on Chicago's professional hockey gear and merchandise.
JB Love is ½ of Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram.