Don't Name Your Sports Teams After Aboriginals. Just Don't.

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Today on Twitter, the Ottawa Citizen’s Dan Gardner asked why sports teams named after aboriginal tribes/artifacts are problematic when the Minnesota Vikings et al. are not. I’ve been thinking about this ever since the Atlanta Braves announced the return of its “Screaming Savage” logo in December, so here's my answer.

The only team that I could think of that’s named after a symbol of privilege is the Ottawa Senators. So first off, why don’t we name teams after actual symbols of power, rather than just weird caricatures of power? The Toronto F.C. Derivatives! The Georgian Bay Docks! It's worth thinking about why some groups are allowed to be caricatured (like the Senate, am I right?) and some are not.

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8 Simple Rules for Marrying a Chinese Woman

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John Michael McGrath would like to share his 8 Simple Rules for Marrying a Chinese Woman except "it turns out there’s no one Chinese Girl TM out there to date and marry. They’re all different! My wife Vicki is even totally different from her sisters! It’s weird."

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Ethnic! Xmas! Drama! 2011 Edition

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  • In Friday's Globe and Mail, Damage Control columnist David Eddie fielded a question from a Chinese dude with a white fianceé. Her parents keep giving him "themed" Christmas gifts - a rice cooker, a Jackie Chan box set - which makes him feel uncomfortable. His fiancée thinks he should suck it up and so, basically, did Eddie. Unsurprisingly, not everyone agreed.
  • First up: The ethnics are ON IT.
  • “
  • My FAVOURITE G&M "Damage Control" column: "My white in-laws keep giving me 'Chinese' gifts" theglobeandmail.com/life/h... attn: @ethnicaisle
  • Dakshana
  • December 23, 2011 10:47:57 AM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • "Last year, my fiancée's family gave me a rice cooker. I'm Chinese-Canadian. They're Caucasian." bit.ly/rQDQ1W (ht @annhui @DakGlobe)
  • Chantal Braganza
  • December 23, 2011 9:03:49 AM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • good intentions are overrated. that column is so fucked up. that writer should not be giving advice.
  • anupa
  • December 23, 2011 10:58:22 AM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • that G&M column is basically Forbes-lite in the way it completely ignores the reality of being not-white
  • anupa
  • December 23, 2011 10:59:53 AM EST
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  • “
  • it enraged me to read the fiancee saying "get over it." all i could think was "what a horrible relationship"
  • anupa
  • December 23, 2011 11:02:36 AM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • WHY IS THE PICTURE ON THE COLUMN A BOWL OF RICE? @dakglobe @ghostfaceknitta
  • anupa
  • December 23, 2011 11:08:56 AM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • Should it be two old white folks standing in the bg, out of focus, with Chinese man in front with arms crossed?
  • Dakshana
  • December 23, 2011 11:12:58 AM EST
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  • “
  • @_anupa @dakglobe I cringed when I saw that too. Also, if I were her folks I would've assumed dude already had a rice cooker. I mean, c'mon.
  • Kalpna Patel
  • December 23, 2011 11:13:45 AM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • Canice Leung breaks it down:
  • “
  • re: "in-laws give asian dude rice cooker/jackie chan dvds" bit.ly/scUXXH ... 1. being cute-clueless is not a defence for being racist
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:24:04 PM EST
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  • “
  • 2. i would be BUMMED if i was marrying into a family, knew them for (probably) years, and still the only thing they saw was my ethnicity.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:24:39 PM EST
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  • “
  • 3. i would really love a rice cooker, but actually. but that's because i love cooking, not because i'm chinese.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:26:22 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • 4. only a white dude advice columnist would defend that. people can't be forgiven for doing bad things just cause they had good intentions.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:27:54 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • 5. i am normally a fan of david eddie's writing, which is why this particular piece of advice is even more disappointing.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:28:54 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • Fight! Fight! Fight!
  • “
  • @canice Excuse me? "Only a white dude advice columnist would defend that". ONLY?! Look, stupidity comes in ALL colours, shapes and sizes.
  • Jayson McEwen
  • December 23, 2011 1:29:41 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen rephrasing: there are some positions only people of certain privilege/class/race/ethnicity would hold and this is one of them.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:35:28 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen we're not talking inclusively about 'all stupid things stupid people say' ... this is about giving a rice cooker to an asian.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:36:40 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @canice There IS a different/double standard for what YOU (a visible minority) can say, rather than what I (a white man) can say. Deny it?
  • Jayson McEwen
  • December 23, 2011 1:39:42 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen plenty of minorities are racist/classist against others, i'll happily point those out if such situations arise in nat'l paper.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:41:27 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen then again, i can't think of a minority/woman/etc advice columnist at a canadian newspaper, so it's all hypothetical, innit?
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:43:03 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @canice I read the piece in the @globeandmail ... and I know what you're saying. I just ... question the thinly-veiled racism. That's all.
  • Jayson McEwen
  • December 23, 2011 1:43:10 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen it's NOT thinly veiled racism. i'm outright positing that a non-white columnist would NOT condone such gift-giving.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:46:46 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @canice Good for them. I just didn't appreciate the "only a white dude" comment. Shows me way more than I need to see how you TRULY view us.
  • Jayson McEwen
  • December 23, 2011 1:49:22 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen in general, the 'minorities get free pass' complaint is imagined. minorities SEE racism because we LIVE the experience, OK?
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 1:49:20 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @canice I live it too. Don't kid yourself. Racism is NOT exclusive to visible minorities. I "SEE" it too, OK? I "LIVE" the experience too.
  • Jayson McEwen
  • December 23, 2011 1:51:47 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @JaysonMcEwen oh, you got me. i hate white people — because i suggested a white person might not understand an asian man's POV.
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 2:03:36 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • A word from the Globe:
  • “
  • @canice I'm Dave's editor. You may disagree with the advice (god knows I don't always agree w/ DE), but it did have yellow eyes on it.
  • Kevin Siu
  • December 23, 2011 2:05:23 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @canice A colleague pointed out that the fiancee should be working the gears behind the scenes with the parents. I also agree with that
  • Kevin Siu
  • December 23, 2011 2:57:41 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • @kevinsiu in fairness, i get that social decorum isn't always about being strident anti-oppression police (err unless you're me, apparently)
  • Canice Leung
  • December 23, 2011 2:16:11 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • On another corner of Twitter:
  • “
  • As a white person I was horrified at David Eddie's advice. Way past time for us to challenge everyday racism.
  • Sara Mayo
  • December 23, 2011 12:58:40 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • If you "put up with it" now, imagine 10 yrs into the marriage! Better to explain why gifts offend.
  • Louisa Taylor
  • December 23, 2011 2:00:28 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • I wonder about the context of the situation, though. I'm from Wpg and grew up hearing many people (cont)
  • Dakshana
  • December 23, 2011 2:09:23 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • ask Qs that were quite well-intentioned...but could seem goofy (cont)
  • Dakshana
  • December 23, 2011 2:10:38 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • or racist. But it was an attempt learn about my ethnicity. I was their kid's first "ethnic" friend.
  • Dakshana
  • December 23, 2011 2:11:48 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • “
  • But advice was still bad. Take this as opp to talk to in-laws a/b why gifts are inappropriate.
  • Dakshana
  • December 23, 2011 2:13:26 PM EST
  • ReplyRetweet
  • And that's your ethnic Christmas drama for 2011. Enjoy the holiday, and see you all next year.

    • Ethnichat: DNA Free Flow

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    Last Friday, we hosted a Twitter chat on interracial and intercultural dating to kickoff this week's posts. Here are some of the highlights...thanks very much to everyone who participated. Keep reading and commenting!

    “ Q1: What are your feelings on people who adamantly date only within their own race or culture? #ethnichat Go!
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ Well, for one, not all of us have that luxury. #ethnichat
    alexdao
    October 14, 2011
    “ Up or down it's their decision to make for themselves. It's also potentially their loss if soulmate is heterogeneous #ethnichat
    accozzaglia
    October 14, 2011
    “  When you're mixed, every relationship is an interracial one. #ethnichat
    reneeswilliams
    October 14, 2011
    “ Q2: have you ever been exoticized by a partner/date, how did you know, and how did you feel?
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ Too much focus on ethnic background, had one guy literally say "that's hot" when he found out my mix. Yuck. #ethnichat
    alexdao
    October 14, 2011
    “ Yes, for my body shape. Was told this after we started dating. Felt like an object. It's why relationship ended. #ethnichat
    accozzaglia
    October 14, 2011
    “ She said: "I feel so worldly". I wasn't impressed. #ethnichat
    slowdecade
    October 14, 2011
    “ Got told I am interesting because I am Indian. Ick. My ethnicity is a part of my identity, not an accessory. #ethnicchat
    bthanki
    October 14, 2011
    “ We were making out. Ze took off my glasses and complimented me: "You look less Asian." Really.
    neville_park
    October 14, 2011

    “ I find it tiring when they get disappointed when I do something that doesn't jive with their perception of my racial identity. #ethnichat
    reneeswilliams
    October 14, 2011
    “ white guys i've dated have pretty much been not into white girls, not as an ideology tho. just realizing that now. #ethnichat
    _anupa
    October 14, 2011
    “ RT @JaeFiasco: Ex was white and his friend said (in my presence) GUESS WHAT I FUCKED A BLACK CHICK! It's a prize to them
    _anupa
    October 14, 2011
    “ RT @jooksing as an asian ciswoman, i feel exoticized all the damn time. it's uncomfortable &telling. tho partners dating history says most.
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ RT @jooksing the q for me is: what feels worse: dating some1 who has been with POC or dating some1 who hasn't been w ANY POC. both loaded
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ Yes! There's always that question of which is worse. Non-POC w/ history of dating only POCs - red flag. #ethnichat
    alexdao
    October 14, 2011
    “ Don't think I'd mind someone who hadn't dated a POC before, if they weren't defensive when there were things to be discussed. #ethnichat
    balkissoon
    October 14, 2011
    “  Could the race/mix dating preference be more of a physical thing rather than background? #ethnichat
    NoellySam
    October 14, 2011
    “ Ah yes, the age old question - what's wrong with just having a physical preference? It's so loaded. #ethnichat
    alexdao
    October 14, 2011
    “ I think you can prefer certain characteristics but then you have to ask yourself why #ethnicchat
    judeinlondon
    October 14, 2011
    “ RT @jooksing i think POCs who predominantly date outside their race should also try to deconstruct their internalized racism too #ethnichat
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ But worth looking into, pure bodily response or years of racial brainwashing, yes it's complex. #ethnichat
    NoellySam
    October 14, 2011
    “ I agree, POC do need to think abt internalized racism & dating. Dumb video: Why Brown Girls Like White Guys http://bit.ly/qG0cBM #ethnichat
    balkissoon
    October 14, 2011
    “ At the base of the debate, it shouldn't focus just on those who date PoCs but choices of the PoCs themselves.
    RudyKatoch
    October 14, 2011
    “  I don't think dating outside ur race has anything to do w/ internalized racism. We live in a global city. It happens.
    KimberlyAsal
    October 14, 2011
    “ Like, you just happen to prefer a certain race? I don't think it's ever that simple. #ethnichat
    tianareid
    October 14, 2011
    “ Ok, Q3: how have your family/friends reacted to your interracial/intercultural partners? #ethnichat
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ Positively. They're more concerned about mutual values and whether he treats me well.
    reneeswilliams
    October 14, 2011
    “ My grandmother, who was biracial, did tell me she didn't want me dating a black man.
    reneeswilliams
    October 14, 2011
    “ They haven't. And ppl always ask "so how was THAT like?" They seem to be anticipating stories of lashings #ethnichat
    RafayAgha
    October 14, 2011
    “ It's strange. We're beginning to see a North America where the basic assumption is one of mixed racial heritage.
    emilymkeeler
    October 14, 2011
    “ Her family: Pleased to meet you. My family: MISSION ABORT. My friends: Cool story bro #ethnichat
    slowdecade
    October 14, 2011
    “ My parents were an interracial couple, but my dad still holds racial prejudices on who his kids should date. #ethnichat
    tianareid
    October 14, 2011
    “  my parents were surprised he was a Brown guy & not East Asian. (They'd have been more surprised if he was Persian.) #ethnichat
    shimo
    October 14, 2011
    “ @_anupa re: whitebros. i feel weird, but if you're happy that's cool ma. unless u cute. then u need to be with me. #ethnichat
    saeidedward
    October 14, 2011
    “ My parents know and understand it's high unlikely I'll marry someone who isn't Chinese, but have also stated "preferences". :P
    karenkho
    October 14, 2011
    “ my parents accepted my white ex but they still managed to show some close-mindedness. I was more nervous of his family though
    judeinlondon
    October 14, 2011
    “ I think my folks were less surprised I dated white girls than the fact I dated girls at all #ethnichat
    zombivish
    October 14, 2011
    “ Q4: Have strangers commented on your relationship, and if yes, how have you dealt with it? #ethnichat
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “  Yes, and I've/we've usually responded, "Uhm, how is this of any concern to you?" Their reaction is all butthurt. #ethnichat
    accozzaglia
    October 14, 2011
    “ Here lies the real debate. There is side-eyeing from some PoCs at interracial couples of their ethnicity @ethnicaisle
    RudyKatoch
    October 14, 2011
    “ old indian men death-staring me and my half-black/half-chinese ex in the mall. #ethnichat
    _anupa
    October 14, 2011
    “ As a teen, dating interracially had me labelled a "coconut" by other POC. I said nothing back then which I regret #ethnichat
    judeinlondon
    October 14, 2011
    “ Usually they comment on how cute the babies will be. #ethnichat
    alexdao
    October 14, 2011
    “ Not all mixed race babies are cute. I'm thinking of some of my cousins. #ethnichat
    reneeswilliams
    October 14, 2011
    “ @alexdao HA that is one of @reneeswilliams pet peeves. We want to do a post on the blog "Ugly Mixed Race Babies." Hahaha. #ethnichat
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ I'm not gonna lie, I was a really cute mixed baby. #ethnichat
    tianareid
    October 14, 2011
    “ Side-eye from random strangers (white and black) is fairly common. I've gotten better at ignoring it, but still. #ethnicchat
    AllyssiaAlleyne
    October 14, 2011
    “ Recently asked: What does your husband look like? Me: He's gorgeous. Silence. Really she meant: "What colour?" Naive am I.
    jacquiefrancis
    October 14, 2011
    “ Sad. Within the community, criticism & hostility to a PoC dating outside their race is more pointed. #ethnichat
    RudyKatoch
    October 14, 2011
    “ why do black men act like my boyfriend isn't there? Does being white make him invisible?
    TDeeRock
    October 14, 2011
    “ #ethnichat RT @wesleycase: My friends are 99% white: they either wear (interracial dating) as badge of pride or it makes them uneasy
    _anupa
    October 14, 2011
    “ Oh, when I was in Trinidad with my white ex, someone actually HISSED at us on the street in Port of Spain. #ethnichat
    balkissoon
    October 14, 2011
    “ Q for @chantalbraganza & other mixies: Did your parents say if they faced prejudice within your extended fam for being together? #ethnichat
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ I've def seen my parents get some side-eye. Took one neighbour 20 yrs (!) to figure out they were married.
    kelkord
    October 14, 2011
    “ Like, it was so incomprehensible to this guy that these two people could be a couple #ethnichat
    kelkord
    October 14, 2011
    “ Eep. Kinda. Not so much for race, but 'cause one fam had established themselves in Canada for a while by that point. #ethnichat
    chantalbraganza
    October 14, 2011
    “ @ethnicaisle love to hear all this conversation: I came from mixed parents, now divorced. Never really talked about this. #ethnichat
    the2scoops
    October 14, 2011
    “ Ok, last q, from @judeinlondon: Do you really think social attitudes towards interracial dating have changed that much? #ethnichat
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011
    “ I personally feel less weird walking around than I used to, but that may just be personal confidence! #ethnichat
    balkissoon
    October 14, 2011
    “ I also think, in Toronto, the constant influx of newcomers might also mean influx of ppl unaccustomed to mixing #ethnichat
    balkissoon
    October 14, 2011
    “ Tough question. I'm going to say, not as much as society likes to think it has. #ethnichat
    reneeswilliams
    October 14, 2011
    “ Definitely. It's not ideal yet, but changing attitudes towards race have changed attitudes about i.r. dating too. #ethnicchat
    AllyssiaAlleyne
    October 14, 2011
    “ compared to when? I think compared to 50 years ago, no doubt. 10 yrs... enh @ethnichat
    simyau
    October 14, 2011
    “ Not sure I want to live in a world where the intricacies of IR dating (& thus my own difference) are all smoothed over
    ethnicaisle
    October 14, 2011