This pattern of shameful and exploitative conduct on the part of Cleveland Baseball must not be overlooked. And due to its ignominious history of engagement with the local indigenous community, it is wise of us to question whether the decision to finally change its name and “advance social justice” is sincere or simply a public relations decision on the part of the franchise. Nor should it be lightly noted that even with continuous indigenous activism, it took the very public execution of a person of color and weeks of civil disobedience before Cleveland Baseball has become willing to reconsider its morally bankrupt decisions of the last half-century.
The time for Cleveland Baseball to act is now! Not next year. Not next month. Not next week. To that end, and in an effort to restore balance, Cleveland AIM has outlined actionable steps we believe Cleveland Baseball should implement immediately to stop the ongoing harm, resist further harmful action, and begin to repair the harm which has occurred as a result of the marketing of “Indians” and “Wahoo”, and public culture built around being part of “The Tribe”.
