Because providing bulletin board material for opposing football teams is the only real function of a local sports columnist, Ron Morris of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper has dutifully scrawled out a controversial column designed to provoke a reaction from Florida State University fans.
Rather than engaging in some genuine football trash-talk in advance of Friday’s game (which would obviously be rather difficult in the wake of USC’s last trip to Atlanta), Morris has instead limp-wristedly absconded with some of the politically-correct pablum typically spewed from the paper’s uber-liberal editorial page …
The theme of Morris’ column?
That Florida State fans are racists because they whoop and chant to offensive and historically inaccurate stereotypes at FSU home games.
No kidding … that’s his theory.
Of course in reaching this patently ridiculous conclusion, Morris not only bashes the “savagery” of Chief Osceola and his noble steed, “Renegade” (neither of whom are even making the trip to Atlanta for Friday”s Chick Fil A Bowl against the Gamecocks) he takes several totally unnecessary pot shots at the FSU program itself.
From Morris’ whine-smack:
… I am not certain the Seminoles should be proud of all the dishonor brought the tribe by the Florida State athletics department over the past three decades in the form of NCAA violations and probations. The most recent academic scandal was particularly shameful to all parties concerned.
But where I really get lost with Florida State is all the symbolism that surrounds the use of the nickname. I find it particularly sad that a university of higher learning endorses such racist behavior as face-painting, war chants and flaming spears.
Decades have passed since whites placed statues of black men carrying lanterns in their front yards. The Frito Bandito was banished from TV commercials. Even South of the Border has gone politically correct in its highway billboards.
Yet in Atlanta, where Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young fought for civil rights in the 1960s, there will be Florida State fans with painted faces doing the “Tomahawk Chop” and singing “war chants” hours before the calendar flips to 2011.
Oh good God, Ron Morris.
Face painting is racist?
Lighten up, man … and then do us all a favor and go back to over-analyzing the ineptitude of the USC defensive secondary (which now that we think about it happens to be the only area where this year’s Noles out-talent the Gamecocks).
Oh, and speaking of “Gamecocks,” Morris may have opened himself up to a little … or rather a lot of hypocrisy on the PC front.
Last time we checked, the designated smack talker for a school whose mascot glorifies friggin’ cockfighting has absolutely no room whatsoever to play the “PC” card on any other program’s mascot.
Seriously … Florida State fans are “savages?” Well, Ron … then what should we call the hundreds of low IQ South Carolinians who drink Canadian Mist and drop “N-bombs” while watching a pair of beautiful animals fight to the death for their entertainment?
Other than “Clemson fans,” anyway …
Really, until USC President Harris Pastides goes the way of President Garcia-Thompson at Port Chester University (shout out, Jeremy Piven) and renames our alma mater’s mascot after a friggin’ whooping crane … Morris would be wise to STFU.
Of course we don’t have a problem with USC (or Jacksonville State) using the “Gamecock” for its mascot … but then again unlike Morris we remembered to wash the sand out of our vagina before we wrote this.
UPDATE: None of this changes the fact that we’re still taking the Gamecocks (and giving up the three points) on Friday …
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By Cole Blease December 28, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Ron Morris is a cheesy columfuck like Brad Warthen.
By Joey December 29, 2010 at 8:21 am
Ron Morris is a complete dumbass. There are still real racial issues in this country and FSU facepainting and chants aren’t among them. War paint and war cries are historical and fitting for use by FSU fans. He needs to quit drinking the Kool-Aid brought around on the PC bandwagon… this PC shit is just absurd!
And while you are correct in your comparison of the two mascots, if you ever mention it again I’ll freaking kill you. :) Though cockfighting is wrong and immoral (at present) there was a time when cockfighting was THE pastime of choice throughout this country and many others. Even today, it’s still popular in Central and South America. While grotesque, there was a time before stick-and-ball sports when cockfighting was completely acceptable. It isn’t now, but that shouldn’t be any reason that USC can’t be the Gamecocks… it’s historic, and that’s saying a lot more than all the Bulldogs, Eagles, and Tigers out there. At least FSU has a genuine mascot and they even have the blessing of the Seminole’s to use it (dolla dolla bill y’all). Now, go tell Ron Morris to jump on that Seminole’s spear.
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) December 29, 2010 at 9:34 am
From a Gamecock Fan posting on a local sports forum (I think it was OrderOfTheSpur) . . .
“I took a big Ron and wiped my Morris with the State Newspaper.”
. . . which, IMO, points out the quality of their sports writers and the silly nature of their “super-secret-pay-if-you-want-to-know” Gamecock website.
- SSHM
PS – Not my quote. Can’t take credit for it.
By Ohmaar December 29, 2010 at 10:40 am
Mr. Morris (and I KNOW you’re reading this), were you just not paying attention in June 2005 when this Indian mascot issue exploded in the national sports press? I’m not even a sports journalist and *I* remember it.
Perhaps you should get down off your high horse (pun intended) and actually STUDY this issue before you flaunt your ignorance for all to see.
I suggest starting with this:
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The Seminole Tribune “Voice of the Unconquered” Volume XXVI • Number 8, July 1, 2005
Council Approves FSUs Use of Mascot
By Janice Billie
BIG CYPRESS — On June 17, the Seminole Tribe’s special Tribal Council Meeting was held at the Herman L. Osceola gymnasium. After all Council members, invited guests and Tribal citizens were seated; Chairman Mitchell Cypress called the meeting to order. Joe Osceola Sr. gave the invocation.
After roll call, Executive Administrator Ken Fields announced that the first item on the agenda. This item was a resolution to officially grant permission to Florida State University (FSU) to use the name “Seminole” as well as various Seminole symbols and images. The resolution was passed by unanimous vote.
It is a notable resolution, considering that many native Tribes are on the opposing end of this issue. Not to mention the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s (NCAA) examination of FSU’s use of the name Seminole.
It is attested to in the resolution that the Seminole Tribe has an established constructive relationship with FSU that they wish to maintain and develop. The Seminole Tribal Council does not consider FSU’s tradition disrespectful; on the contrary it is seen as homage to their strength and resilience.
Preceding the vote on this particular resolution Director of Education Louise Gopher was called to the podium to introduce to the Council to the FSU President Dr. Thomas Kent “T.K.” Wetherall. On behalf of FSU, he eloquently expressed respect for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and appreciation for it’s support.
He spoke on the mutual honor and trust in the longstanding relationship between the Tribe and FSU, and the university’s commitment to build on this foundation.
Before concluding his remarks, Whetherell presented the Council with a framed cast of the FSU.
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So you see, if anyone’s being disrespectful, it’s YOU Mr. Morris, for insulting the Seminole tribe by referring to their honored traditions of face-painting, war chants and flaming spears as “racism.”
If you have any decency at all, you’ll use your next column to apologize to the Seminole tribe for your prejudice and ignorance.
Yeah, I’m not holding my breath.
By Crooner December 29, 2010 at 12:07 pm
While I don’t condone the practice, I’d much rather be a fighting cock than a Tyson chicken.
By CNSYD December 29, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Is the USC mascot named for the “sport” of cockfighting or is it because of Gen. Thomas Sumter of Revolutionary War fame? I would presume the latter, which by the way is the same name as the mascot for Sumter High. The PC police have already shown their collective ass at Stanford, St. John’s, Ole Miss, etc. Maybe FSU should take a cue from UC Santa Cruz and use banana slugs as their mascot. But then the Society Against Defamation of Banana Slugs may protest.
By Orangeblood December 29, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Crooner, what’s the difference?
By Jimmy The Greek December 29, 2010 at 5:35 pm
FITS you are right, but when will “The State” fans recognize the fact and or have they already by not buying the rag, like us…
By NEWCASTLE December 29, 2010 at 7:09 pm
So let’s see, Morris is going explain to the blood Seminoles how to be Native American, Indian, whatever. I can hardly wait for his next flash of wisdom. RIGHT!
By toyota kawaski December 30, 2010 at 8:50 am
send Ronnie to live with Bowdown at the lake
By James the Foot Soldier December 30, 2010 at 9:42 am
next time i’ll be happy to lend a hand with that sand….