Warriors name change

[Commodor]

Carmelo called on 6 teams to change their names, dubs included. I know the historic mascots definitely leaned to the Native American aspect, but it would seem the last half century has been electric men with fake muscles or bridges. I think being in the bay, ownership would go the cautious route and probably change it if there’s any serious calls for it. “Warriors” by itself is fairly generic so will be interesting to see who, if any speaks up next.

Question 1: will there be more calls for a change?

Question 2: what are potential alternatives?

My alternative: golden state donner party


https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/258736/Carmelo-Anthony-Calls-On-Warriors-Five-Other-Pro-Franchises-To-Eliminate-Native-American-Mascots

[Scoots1994]

It's not native american. It's a french word for one who makes war.

[svart]

As i said on the general board, this is extremely dumb. If the dubs had a native american as a logo 50 years ago does not make the term "Warrior" offensive.
I am curios if in the future i will need to change my nickname, as "svart" means "black". **** idiots everywhere.....

[Little Digger]

San Francisco Ferries

Seems fitting to me..I ride them all the time.

[wco81]

If Native Americans object to the name, I’d be okay with a change.

All those other teams definitely need to change, especially Snyder’s team.

Last thing you want is to be like Snyder.

[donkeylips]

i never associated the nickname warriors with native americans but if native Americans are offended i dont mind the change. Though the redskins might change their name to Warriors. I suggest changing the warriors name to Golden State Showers

[Money_]

My alma mater was the Warriors and changed their name during the 90s to the Golden Eagles. They were using a Native American mascot when I was there and the tribes of Wisconsin protested. I think the mascot was the deciding factor, as Warriors is generic and doesn't necessarily refer to Native Americans. Have the GSWarriors ever even used a Native American mascot? post Philly?

the Golden State Golden Gates...

[Scoots1994]

The Redskins is one thing, it's CLEARLY a racial slur. But are we going to rename anything anyone is offended by? Some ex gold miners don't like the injustices of the industry and don't like the offensive name 49ers. Black people don't like the history of the US and what the founders did so we can't use Patriot anymore. The Steel industry used up and spit out employees, no more Steelers. Practitioners of the Wiccan faith are offended by the fantasy version of their art, no more Wizards. Joe Exotic is a terrible person, no more Tigers.

Warriors comes from french and it's not a slur, nor is it specific to Native Americans.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

I had never really thought about 'Warriors' in this way; at a minimum it is far more subtle and nuanced than, say, Redskins. I wouldn't be *horribly* opposed to changing the name, particularly if Native Americans on the whole *do* think about the name in that way. If it comes to that, I wonder if they'd have the nerve to use that as impetus to also change "Golden State" to "San Francisco" (which I'd prefer they did not).

[wco81]

Bears?

Official animal of the state is Grizzly Bear?

Official bird is quail.

[KevinMcreynolds]

I care about this about as much as I care about a dog turd on the sidewalk

[Flash Falcon X]

Warriors isn't a slur.

The franchise originated with a Native American theme, but that's long gone now. Kids nowadays didn't even know about the Native American and Philly roots.

The term "Warrior" nowadays refers to playing tough and physical. You see it in articles all the time: Kobe was a warrior. Patrick Beverly is a warrior on the defensive end.

GSW branding now is all about their location, not Native Americans (e.g. bridges on logos, oak trees on Oakland jerseys, silhouette of California to represent the "Golden State," etc.)

Also, plenty of Native Americans don't feel offended by most of these names except for Redskins. Their main point is that they want their people to be remembered, and having a sports team named after them is an honor as long as it's not a slur. Again, "Warrior" is in no way a slur especially since they don't even brand themselves as a Native American themed team in the modern world in the first place.

And please don't use this as an excuse to get a more "intimidating" name. Intimidating names are for little kids. You got teams named after lakes (Lakers,) people who pack cans (Packers,) pants (Knicks,) heels in tar (Tarheels,) colored socks (Red Sox,) and no one feels like they need a name change. Warriors are one of the earliest NBA teams, keep the classic name.

[Frozzy]

San Francisco Lightyears

[wco81]

Just call them Dubs, though that name is more associated with bandwagon fans who joined when the Warriors rose to among the elite in the league.

Or the Ws.

[azwfan]

Warriors isn't a slur.

The franchise originated with a Native American theme, but that's long gone now. Kids nowadays didn't even know about the Native American and Philly roots.

The term "Warrior" nowadays refers to playing tough and physical. You see it in articles all the time: Kobe was a warrior. Patrick Beverly is a warrior on the defensive end.

GSW branding now is all about their location, not Native Americans (e.g. bridges on logos, oak trees on Oakland jerseys, silhouette of California to represent the "Golden State," etc.)

Also, plenty of Native Americans don't feel offended by most of these names except for Redskins. Their main point is that they want their people to be remembered, and having a sports team named after them is an honor as long as it's not a slur. Again, "Warrior" is in no way a slur especially since they don't even brand themselves as a Native American themed team in the modern world in the first place.

And please don't use this as an excuse to get a more "intimidating" name. Intimidating names are for little kids. You got teams named after lakes (Lakers,) people who pack cans (Packers,) pants (Knicks,) heels in tar (Tarheels,) colored socks (Red Sox,) and no one feels like they need a name change. Warriors are one of the earliest NBA teams, keep the classic name.

Native here (well half, haha) so I'll take it upon myself to speak for all Natives (until another tells me to stfu).
The Washington football team name is offensive to me.
Indians, Braves, Seminoles, Chiefs, and others aren't as offensive to me, but should be changed.

Once again... Washington Football club - that should've been changed a long time ago. The others should be changed also, but would rather concentrate on the worst offender.

"Warriors" isn't even on my radar as a Native reference.

[Commodor]

Bears?

Official animal of the state is Grizzly Bear?

Official bird is quail.

I’m definitely down for quails

[Scoots1994]

Native here (well half, haha) so I'll take it upon myself to speak for all Natives (until another tells me to stfu).
The Washington football team name is offensive to me.
Indians, Braves, Seminoles, Chiefs, and others aren't as offensive to me, but should be changed.

Once again... Washington Football club - that should've been changed a long time ago. The others should be changed also, but would rather concentrate on the worst offender.

"Warriors" isn't even on my radar as a Native reference.

I think the Seminole tribe endorses the use of the name.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

Warriors isn't a slur.

The franchise originated with a Native American theme, but that's long gone now. Kids nowadays didn't even know about the Native American and Philly roots.

The term "Warrior" nowadays refers to playing tough and physical. You see it in articles all the time: Kobe was a warrior. Patrick Beverly is a warrior on the defensive end.

GSW branding now is all about their location, not Native Americans (e.g. bridges on logos, oak trees on Oakland jerseys, silhouette of California to represent the "Golden State," etc.)

Also, plenty of Native Americans don't feel offended by most of these names except for Redskins. Their main point is that they want their people to be remembered, and having a sports team named after them is an honor as long as it's not a slur. Again, "Warrior" is in no way a slur especially since they don't even brand themselves as a Native American themed team in the modern world in the first place.

And please don't use this as an excuse to get a more "intimidating" name. Intimidating names are for little kids. You got teams named after lakes (Lakers,) people who pack cans (Packers,) pants (Knicks,) heels in tar (Tarheels,) colored socks (Red Sox,) and no one feels like they need a name change. Warriors are one of the earliest NBA teams, keep the classic name.

Native here (well half, haha) so I'll take it upon myself to speak for all Natives (until another tells me to stfu).
The Washington football team name is offensive to me.
Indians, Braves, Seminoles, Chiefs, and others aren't as offensive to me, but should be changed.

Once again... Washington Football club - that should've been changed a long time ago. The others should be changed also, but would rather concentrate on the worst offender.

"Warriors" isn't even on my radar as a Native reference.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I checked in with a friend of indigenous background to get his thoughts, and they were pretty close to yours. Not that he speaks for everyone either, but his thoughts were:
- Redskins is right out.
- Blackhawks is kinda weird; they are named after a particular individual. I had foolishly, mistakenly always assumed this was a reference to a tribe, but he taught me it is named after a particular Chief Blackhawk. His conclusion was that the imagery/logo is problematic. In the absence of that the name would be weird, but probably not a huge problem.
- We didn't talk about the Indians. *I* personally think their character is horrific, and forces the issue.
- The Braves could be generic, or even respectful. However, by the time you have fans doing "the chop", wearing Party City headdresses, etc., you clearly are tying it to disrespectful stereotypes, and it becomes a problem.
- We talked about the Chiefs a bit. The bit I got from him was that they are leaning towards the benign side of things. If they were just called the Chiefs with the arrow logo, it might be fine, but as soon as there are fans embracing native american stereotypes, you have a problem.
- Warriors got rid of any sort of problematic imagery long ago. In the absence of that, or fans trying to tie it back to any sort of native american origin (which I've *never* seen), the name is really quite generic and benign.

He said if anything, he took a bit of joy in hearing "the Warriors beat the Cavaliers" heh

[azwfan]

Native here (well half, haha) so I'll take it upon myself to speak for all Natives (until another tells me to stfu).
The Washington football team name is offensive to me.
Indians, Braves, Seminoles, Chiefs, and others aren't as offensive to me, but should be changed.

Once again... Washington Football club - that should've been changed a long time ago. The others should be changed also, but would rather concentrate on the worst offender.

"Warriors" isn't even on my radar as a Native reference.

I think the Seminole tribe endorses the use of the name.

I think my main issue with Seminoles is the chop and chanting. Braves do the same. I think the Cheifs do too.

All of them are weird. To have a team mascots named after conquered peoples. I mean it isnt enough to rape, murder, and steal... but then name sports teams after them with these ridiculous logos and make money off of it also.

The Washington team is the only one that actually makes me angry though (but to be truthful only when Im thinking on that topic, I dont get mad when i just see the boxscore). If i was closer to that part of my heritage - (like if I grew up on Oklahoma instead of San Jose) i can see how I’d see some of these differently though - with more or less passion. I mean, on one hand i may be more offended, and on the other - there are more pressing needs in the community.

[Quazza]

nah

we good