OH BROTHER: Braves Throwback Uniform Praised for "Lack of Racism"

The Atlanta Braves revealed their throwback uniforms, to be worn in several games throughout the season, several weeks ago. They're classy, retro, and, according to Yahoo!, thankfully non-racist.

It was a complete no-brainer, but props to the Atlanta Braves for placing a new crossed tomahawk logo on the sleeve of their new weekend alternates.

 The tomahawk repaces this from the true original jerseys:

The jerseys of those less-enlightened times featured a savage on the sleeve and it's a wonder that anyone ever thought the image was OK. The logo strips Native Americans of any humanity and turns them into a one-dimensional character devoid of any sympathy or tribute. It honestly might be the only defense that the few defenders of Cleveland's Chief Wahoo have left. ("Well, it's not as bad as what Atlanta used to have.")

Um, I hate to tell Yahoo! this, but aren't all mascots "devoid of any sympathy or tribute"? Is the Fighting Irish mascot racist to Irish immigrants by depicting them as hot-blooded drunkards? The Minnesota Vikings offensive towards Norweigans? The Dallas Cowboys insensitive to cowpokes? Is the Longhorns logo discriminatory to vegans? Lighten up people!

From what I can tell, the image is of a Native American issuing a fierce war cry. Isn't it a tribute to their culture to consider them fierce and tenacious enough to be worthy of a sports team?

Fortunately, the Seminole tribe knew better. When the NCAA attempted to phase out Indian mascots and team names, the Seminole indians worked with the FSU Seminoles to keep the mascot, understanding the mascot was a tribute rather than an insult to their people.