There is a huge difference between FSU's mascot of seminole and CMU's nickname of chippewa. Unlike FSU you will not find any negative depiction of American Indian images or warriors associated with CMU. The Chippea Tribe have a long and close relationship including study and cultural programs at the university. It is a good healthy relationship. Believe me, our university president is a PC weenie.

I highly doubt they'll sell any of those shirts so don't worry too much about it. The shirt is pretty dumb and not funny at all….there has to be something better.

"WTF is a Ni**er" or "WTF is a Jew"



So a Chippewa is a derogatory name for an Indian tribe????

Would you be offended by

WTF is an OWL (as a mascot)?

WTF is a Schnellenberger?

or

WTF is a WHORLEY?

immature or not people find it funny, and it is only in good fun……ive seen a lot worse sold in store for the yanks and the red sox, or Ohio St. and Mich, or FL and FL ST.

THEY have a whole website dedicated to it…… its called "Smack-talk Apparel"

btw they were removed from the site...

arrohead said

There is a huge difference between FSU's mascot of seminole and CMU's nickname of chippewa. Unlike FSU you will not find any negative depiction of American Indian images or warriors associated with CMU. The Chippea Tribe have a long and close relationship including study and cultural programs at the university. It is a good healthy relationship. Believe me, our university president is a PC weenie.

Actually, the Seminole tribe of Florida has stood up many times and prevented the NCAA from trying to enforce a name change at Florida State.

arrohead said

There is a huge difference between FSU's mascot of seminole and CMU's nickname of chippewa. Unlike FSU you will not find any negative depiction of American Indian images or warriors associated with CMU. The Chippea Tribe have a long and close relationship including study and cultural programs at the university. It is a good healthy relationship. Believe me, our university president is a PC weenie.

You obviously know nothing about the relationship between FSU and the Seminole tribe, maybe you should educate yourself before commenting on others.

I remember when you used to be able to heckle the opposing team.    Those days were fun.

dusky256fc said

arrohead said

There is a huge difference between FSU's mascot of seminole and CMU's nickname of chippewa. Unlike FSU you will not find any negative depiction of American Indian images or warriors associated with CMU. The Chippea Tribe have a long and close relationship including study and cultural programs at the university. It is a good healthy relationship. Believe me, our university president is a PC weenie.

You obviously know nothing about the relationship between FSU and the Seminole tribe, maybe you should educate yourself before commenting on others.

You missed my point totally. I lived in FL for 12+ years and know the relationship very well between the Seminole Tribe and FSU. I knew they would sue the NCAA when they tried to take away FSU's nickname a few years ago. My point was that CMU's mascot and relationship (once you know it) will not offend any PCers out there. An Indian chief riding out on a horse and planting a spear on the 50 yd line offends all PCers. Our university as well as the Chippewa Tribe would have a stroke if that ever happened at CMU. I'm not saying it is right or wrong just that the relationship is a lot different. The chippewa tribe is very sensitive to these portrayals but they are also huge supporters of our university. They have a HUGE casino to help with $$$.

I think the shirt was funny…..I had the same question…at first, I thought it was either a tree or a bird, especially since you guys are always chip chip chipper little chippewas.  I think WTF is a Chippewa is less offensive than stealing their land, building a University on it, and then naming the mascot after them.  Sure, we did the exact same thing with Owls, only they are friggin owls, not a tribe of Native Americans.

FSU was built in a city and the mascot became the Seminole, a tribe that was carted off to Oklahoma and/or remained unconquered in the Everglades. The mascot has always been endorsed by the tribe because it was a tribute to them, the unconquered spirit.  Unlike the joke that was the Illini chief, Chief Osceola and Renegade (his horse) are fully supported by the Seminole Tribe, even his outfit is designed by native women every year.

CMU uses the name abstractly, kind of like Sioux City, or Indiantown….the name has lost any real connection with the Tribe it once or even still represents.  When you have a big flaming C for a symbol it becomes fair game to ask "WTF is a Chippewa".

Other potentially offensive University mascots:
WTF is a Minuteman (Hey that goes after our Militia's heritage!)
WTF is a Trojan (Hey they were a noble race of Anatolians!)
WTF is a Spartan (Hey they had a half naked movie about them!)
WTF is a Golden Knight (Hey they were endorsed by King Midas)
WTF is a Demon Deacon (Hey, they are angry preachers, and you will go to Hell for asking!)
WTF is a Sooner (Hey thats a pioneer, lets get offended!)
WTF is a Cavalier (Hey, don't ask don't tell)
WTF is a Rebel (see Domestic Terrorist)
WTF is a Don (Thats where runaway Rex is of couse)
WTF is an Explorer (gets out of the house)
WTF is a Friar Boy (ew)

and finally

WTF is a Flying C?

"The chippewa tribe is very sensitive to these portrayals but they are also huge supporters of our university. They have a HUGE casino to help with $$$."

Are you sure you don't want to retract that last insensitive portrayal of Native Americans vis a vis casinos?