Since 1947, the Cleveland Indians have used the “Chief Wahoo” logo, and starting in 2019 that logo is being taken away so Native Americans won’t be offended. Even though the logo can be seen as offensive, because, it is a cartoon drawing of an American Indian, I still don’t believe that they should have to remove it. There are many more topics throughout multiple sports that can seem way more offensive and racist. One example would be the Washington Redskins. This is racist because “Redskin” is a term referring to the color of the skin of American Indians. There has been controversy with the name and logo of the Redskins, but they have yet to change anything, while the Indians have to get rid of a historical trademark connected to their organization.

“Sadly, the Indians caved to the politically correct society that we are now all forced to live in,” Zach Sharon of Cleveland Sports Talk wrote. He also stated that the logo reminded him and many other fans of the glory years of the ‘90s which had teams sporting the “Chief Wahoo” logo on their jerseys. Sharon said that it gives himself and other fans goosebumps to realize it won’t be back in the 2019 season.

Although the team is getting rid of their logo on the jerseys and hats, fans will still be able to buy and wear apparel sporting the logo. Sharon also said that since the fans can still wear apparel with the logo that he and many others will wear shirts with “Chief Wahoo” on them. He says that by having fans wearing shirts and bearing the logo, it will truly never go away.

The decision came from conversation between the team owner and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, they are taking away the logo in 2019 because Cleveland will be hosting the all-star game and they don’t believe that the logo is suitable to be used on the field.

“Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the game,” Manfred said in a statement. He said the logo “is no longer appropriate for on-field use.”

Taking away the logo would be changing the history of the team. Everybody who has been lifelong fans of the Indians are attached to the logo and don’t see anything wrong. It would be like changing the logo of another major team like the New York Yankees.

“Over the past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the club’s use of the Chief Wahoo logo,” Manfred said.