An Act of Honor or Exploitation? The Cleveland Indians’ Use of the Louis Francis Sockalexis Story

Abstract

Using a critical theory approach, this paper examines how perceptions of historical accuracy impact on the legitimation of the Cleveland Indians’ claim that the Native imagery used in the promotion of the franchise was chosen to honor the first Native American to play in the major leagues, Louis Francis Sockalexis. An analysis was conducted of data gathered from Cleveland’s own account of the naming of the franchise along with past and present renderings and antecedents of the story as they appear in a variety of publications and media sources over a 100-year time period beginning in 1897 and ending in 1997. In light of the findings, Cleveland’s professed organizational intent to honor Sockalexis was tested and found to be based on faulty information. The implications of this discovery are addressed.

Teaching Intolerance: Anti-Indian Imagery, Racial Politics, and (Anti)Racist Pedagogy

“…In this context, pseudo-Indian imagery in athletics and education congealed for myriad reasons, including comments by fans or sportswriters, historic relationships between an institution and indigenous peoples, and regional associations. Over the past century, they have become institutionalized icons, encrusted with memories, tradition, boosterism, administrative investment, financial rewards, and collective identity (Connolly 2000;Coombe 1999;Davis 1993Davis , 2002King 2002King , 2003King , 2004Springwood 2000, 2001;Nuessel 1994;Spindel 2000;Sigelmann 1998;Staurowsky 1998Staurowsky , 2000Staurowsky , 2001Vanderford 1996).…”

Are Doors Being Opened for the “Ladies’’ of College Sports? A Covariance Analysis

“…In an answer to how Cleveland acquired the name Indians, Staurowsky (2000) argued that Indian symbols adopted by Cleveland and other sports teams represent an investment in "Whiteness" rather than a sign of honor. The stereotypes (e.g., warriors, savages, and spearchuckers) of Native Americans embodied in team names and rituals enable Whites to continue writing their version of history, which hides the past and present exploitation of Native Americans.…”

Race, Place, and Biography at Play

“…The question of who does or does not support these images has been central to the Indian mascot debate (Davis-Delano, 2007;Springwood, 2004). Critics claim that Indian mascots relegate Native peoples, identities, and cultures to a fixed and fictitious moment in Euro-American history (Davis, 1993;Fenelon, 1999;King & Springwood, 2000King, Staurowsky, Baca, Davis, & Pewewardy, 1 State University of New York at Plattsburgh, USA 2002; Staurowsky, 1998Staurowsky, , 2000Staurowsky, , 2004. In doing so, they erase indigenous experiences of genocide and colonization and dismiss the richness and diversity of contemporary American Indian cultures.…”