Trailblazers name change

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Mediocre Man, Jul 5, 2020.

  1. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,380
    Likes Received:
    21,977
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    Killjoy.
     
    Orion Bailey likes this.
  2. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2014
    Messages:
    19,588
    Likes Received:
    16,197
    Trophy Points:
    113
    So they didnt inslave people? If youn were a Celt and captured the enslaved them or killed them.
     
  3. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,380
    Likes Received:
    21,977
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    Just so long as it's not the Portland Proud Boys:
     
  4. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    53,586
    Likes Received:
    54,648
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Good question MM. It would be weird to see the Trail Blazers go by another name. Are the Trail Blazers specifically named after Lewis and Clark, or does the name refer to all who have blazed trails to pave the way in history?

    The connection is there though, no matter how obscure we might make it. William Clark compelled a black man that he owned, a slave, named York to come along for the trip. York hunted for them, talked with Native Americans to calm tensions, among other important functions. He asked Clark for his freedom in return. Clark refused.

    Not to mention a kidnapped Sacagawea acted as a guide and interpreter after the expedition reached North Dakota.

    If the Blazers somehow do have to change their name maybe the Pioneers or the actual winner of the naming contest back in 1970, the Chinooks, after the Salmon. Though, the Chinooks are also a Native American people, so that probably wouldn't work. Maybe just Blazers...they are nice jackets after all.
     
  5. noknobs

    noknobs Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    4,817
    Likes Received:
    6,101
    Trophy Points:
    113
    lol...
     
  6. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2008
    Messages:
    116,223
    Likes Received:
    114,263
    Trophy Points:
    115
    Mud Dogs!
     
  7. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2014
    Messages:
    19,588
    Likes Received:
    16,197
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Trail Pirates
     
    Orion Bailey likes this.
  8. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    53,586
    Likes Received:
    54,648
    Trophy Points:
    113
    @barfo would be pleased
     
    Orion Bailey likes this.
  9. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    21,007
    Likes Received:
    13,564
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I thought about this a couple of weeks ago as well. It would, of course, be asinine for someone to actually believe the name should be changed...but granted it is inevitable some group will.

    However, this isn't like "Red Skins" where the words and meanings are obvious. the definition of a "Trail Blazers" is more ambiguous as it can mean a pioneer; an innovator, a person who makes a new track through wild country.

    But just to play along, I agree with "Blazers". We already shorten it anyways.
     
    hoopsjock and Chris Craig like this.
  10. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    90,156
    Likes Received:
    52,173
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    The weird thing to me is that we have teams with obvious racial undertones like the Redksins or Indians, but the strange caveat is that they're used to as names alongside other... I'm not sure what the right word is..... strong? Fierce? There are teams with names like Giants, Warriors, Thunder, Jaguars, Bears, Vikings, etc. So were they originally chosen as a sign of respect? Or fear? Comedy? I would be really interested in the history in picking those names.

    I also find it funny that Yankee was meant as a derogatory slur against Americans that we co-opted into a sign of pride.

    And then there are other native names that actually have the support of the tribes. The Seminoles for example. So is it just the racist undertones of the Redskins name, or the cartoonish logo of the Indians that set them apart? People still give Florida State shit for using the Noles, even though they have the permission of the tribe.
     
    Wizard Mentor likes this.
  11. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Just to be clear, I am in complete agreement with you.
     
  12. tykendo

    tykendo Don't Tread On PDX

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2018
    Messages:
    6,346
    Likes Received:
    7,214
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The two men who named Portland. One was from Boston, the other, Portland Maine. Flipped a coin for naming rights. Were they slave owners? Because they surely were Trailblazers. And Blacks were trailblazing to the West to find freedom, and a better way of life. Yes The Constitution of the original settlers of Oregon, was horrid ,and built on an ideal of white supremacy. But Oregon, specifically Portland has trailblazed an idea of progressive thinking, that continues to work towards inclusiveness. The mission ain't done. Far from it, but it's on the way. Better than many other places , Trailblazing a path if you will. I just think the name means so many things. They are not the Portland Lewis', or Clarks. I don't feel Trailblazers is comparable to Redskins, which was truly a derogatory name for Native Americans. I mean if you're gonna go that deep into the name Traiblazers, how many Cowboys, were racist? Or Steelers? Not all people "Trailblazing to the West were Racist. Buffalo Soldiers were Trailblazers. Just saying.
     
  13. BlayZa

    BlayZa Misbehaving responsibly

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2008
    Messages:
    3,345
    Likes Received:
    2,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Media/Advertisng
    Location:
    NZ
    The Portland Progress

    and we can play in the Season of Love
     
    EL PRESIDENTE likes this.
  14. BlayZa

    BlayZa Misbehaving responsibly

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2008
    Messages:
    3,345
    Likes Received:
    2,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Media/Advertisng
    Location:
    NZ
    thought, if we legit started hating on the Free Agent idea, then people could actually chant antiFA.....

    The Portland Wokies

    The Portland /r/pol's

    The Portland Reeeeeee

    The Portland Precinct-A-Blazers

    ok im out of ideas.
     
  15. GhostOfPGA

    GhostOfPGA The late great Paul Allen

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2018
    Messages:
    3,222
    Likes Received:
    3,440
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Heaven
    If they change the name on some BS like that I hope the team ends up in Seattle as the SuperSonics.

    Then I would cease to watch NBA ever again.
     
  16. tykendo

    tykendo Don't Tread On PDX

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2018
    Messages:
    6,346
    Likes Received:
    7,214
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I just see the name as vague, since all kinds of people were Trailblazers. Don't Worry. I think the Sarge was just being a Smarty Pants.
     
  17. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,596
    Likes Received:
    11,350
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Portland Supersonics would be funny.
     
    RickyJoe and Orion Bailey like this.
  18. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2012
    Messages:
    29,596
    Likes Received:
    11,350
    Trophy Points:
    113
    How about Portland Asymptomatics?
     
    Orion Bailey likes this.
  19. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,380
    Likes Received:
    21,977
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    This is the very definition of a hissy fit.
     
    GoBlazersGo and THE HCP like this.
  20. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,901
    Likes Received:
    14,818
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I don't think the native american or black american communities take offense with the term "Trailblazers" even though both groups were either misled or compelled to be part of the western North American exploration. Native Pacific Northwest american's may eventually voice concerns with the occupation and extermination that consequentially was enabled by those initial trailblazers. It would be good if our team did research and poll native and black americans to make sure they're good with the team name. Right now though native americans just want blatantly bigoted terms like "Redskins" and ignorant ones like "Indians" to be changed. I think those requests are pretty conservative since redskin is an ethnic slur and indian is just completely inaccurate due to the fact that India is 7ooo miles from North America. I just don't see the decimated population of 5 million Native Americans successfully demanding things be made right and I think changing the name Trailblazers would come after that. Actually I think even if the 2% of the U.S. population that natives make up were given absolute control and power over this land they wouldn't care about the term trailblazer.
     

Share This Page