GIVE ME A BREAK. PLEASE! ENOUGH’S ENOUGH
REGINA (CP) – A Saskatchewan junior hockey team is under fire after unveiling a new mascot that critics are calling offensive to Middle Eastern people.
Prince Albert Raiders spokeswoman Amber Pratt said the mascot’s costume is based on the Western Hockey League team’s original logo introduced in 1982 which depicts an Arabian raider character holding a sword and a hockey stick.
“The version that we brought to life is happy, with a big smile on his face,” she wrote in an email on Tuesday.
“He wears hockey pants and a hockey jersey. He is a positive symbol of Raider history and was loved by fans when introduced on Friday night.”
Pratt said she is surprised by the criticism and the organization has received way more positive comments than negative.
But Rhonda Rosenberg, executive director of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, said the mascot plays into possible discrimination.
“The idea of a somewhat violent Muslim man is a stereotype that is really difficult for a lot of people to live with,” she said.
Rosenberg added that if a team uses a mascot representing a particular cultural group “at the very least they need to check in with some people who are of that background.”
“Really mascots are not where we should be depicting cultural groups of people,” she said. “We just need to look at what values and ideas are being put forward, and whether they are really embodying what we want to be sharing.”
The mascot is named Boston Raider, because of a sponsorship from Boston Pizza.
Perry Schwartz, spokesman for Boston Pizza International, said the franchisee in Prince Albert has a long-standing relationship with the Raiders.
“Our franchisee didn’t see the new mascot or logo prior to it being unveiled on the weekend,” Schwartz said in an email. “This was simply part of their sponsorship package as a supporter of junior hockey in the community.”
Ellen Staurowsky, a professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia specializing in cultural appropriation in sports, said the mascot’s image draws upon old, stereotypical notions of racial and ethnic minorities.
“In this time of trying to educate consumers and people working in sport about creating open and inclusive environments, this kind of stereotyping really undermines those efforts,” she said.
hey Rhonda Rosenberg…..what makes you automatically assume this macot is muslim?
The entire world needs to lighten up already, all this racism crap is getting to be ridiculous.
I don't understand this stereotyping thing, if you choose to look at anything in a positive light then it wouldn't be an issue
if the muslims dont like it then they dont have to go to the raiders games or purchase merchandise.
Could you imagine what how much more anger there would be if this caricature was of a Jewish, Chinese, or Japanese person. Those in charge know using Arab and Indians as sport themes is the way to go.
"The version we brought to life is happy, with a big smile on his face"
I can't see the smile. Looks like someone out to kill, with a hockey stick instead of a gun. Yikes!! What were they thinking. Boston Pizza must be nuts.
Thats the old logo. The actual mascot costume is what they are talking about.
These comments are proof why we are the least tolerant province in Canada… they went from a pirate to this like come on how out of touch and egocentric can you be.
"We are the least tolerant province in Canada"
Thank you for proving your own statement…duh…
The Rock
i as a pirate was highly offended and outraged.
they are referring to the actual mascot not the picture in the article.
Wonder if any of these sensitive complainers have looked around them lately. . I'd say say the new mascot looks like a modern day Canadian to me.. wouldn't you agree?
Byob
its not like the guy is wearing a suicide vest and holding a severed head. people are getting fed up with over sensitive pc bs
Boston Pizza and the PA Raiders, and comments like those from Byob once again help remind us why Saskatchewan is so much like Mississippi in the 50's.
Comments like yours remind us why oversensitive morons continue to be intolerant while accusing everyone else of being intolerant.
Why because you were in Mississippi in the 50s? Because I wasn't and I doubt there was many Arab lookin dudes around there either. My point is who cares what he looks like. This is a diverse province in a diverse country and I could care less if the mascot was a poor farmer begging for crop insurance. Get yourselves to sensitivity training so your not so damn sensitive! Grows tiresome listening and reading how so many people have nothing better to pee and moan about than a damn mascot. Get a job man!
Byob
Oh Byob, you must be a young person, real world is so different. You are truly clueless, hope it works out for you.
I'd say it's working out okay anon.. and thank you but I wish I was younger most days! 😉 I'd say I'm not as clueless as you might think but I'm curious what you might be able to tell me about the real world captain serious! Ps sorry for the name calling that was possibly uncalled for.
Byob
So let's see here… Vancouver Canucks – insulting to Canadian people. Derogatory name. Calgary Flames – promotes arson and is offensive to the people who fight fires. Edmonton Oilers – offensive to the environmentalists because it promotes oil rigging and drilling. Winnipeg Jets – must be offensive because the fighter jet logo promotes wars and bombings. And so on…… Point is everything is offensive so why can't these activists find another cause already. So sick of hearing about it that I don't even known what a worthy cause is anymore. Sad thing is that when these jokers complain, the "offender"… Read more »
what is interesting about this is that in the media I have not heard that this is offensive from anyone of Arab descent….only people from here who can't wait to jump in and say " ohhh look how horrible we are here…no tolerance and it's the southern US from the 50's". Seems there is always a few people who look to make every single thing in life about race and racism…..it's a smiling hockey mascot folks….same as K9 or Gainer so stop with the racism garbage already.
Race plays a role in everything. These logos are offensive and really they serve a benefit. They remind young people of a time when Sasakatchewan was lily white and middle aged white men called the shots. Now they are upset because when you've had 100% of the oxygen forever when it's reduced to 99% they tend to feel a tad suffocated.
Y'er Welcome
Obama
Lily white middle aged white men…
If that's not "Racism at it's finest" then nothing is.
Imagine a bigot complaining about alledged bigotry. Go figure!
Obama must surely be referring to the "Rosey fingered Pink" board of directors SkRrs past, present, future? The're all Lily white middle aged. Has their ever been a African American on that board? Many have contributed on the grid of play, but …. are they recognized beyond the phony plaza of honour?
Quit ASSuming that because there are no African Americans, on a board that it is automatically racist."Rosey fingered pink" your post is nauseating to say the least. It just proves Racists come in all shapes sizes AND colors.