US President Joe Biden hosted the 2021 World Series champion Atlanta Braves at a ceremony in the White House on the same day his press secretary suggested the team should have a “conversation” about picking a new name..A few hours after the ceremony, Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Biden’s position on changing the name. .“We believe that it’s important to have this conversation, you know, and Native American and indigenous voices, they should be at the center of this conversation,” said Jean-Pierre..“That is something the president believes, that is something this administration believes, and he has consistently emphasized all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”.Biden didn’t hesitate to use the name, even noting it dates back more than 100 years, when Boston Rustlers became the Boston Braves in 1912..“My grandfather was an All-American football player at Santa Clara, and he was a newspaper guy up in Scranton, Penn. His name was Ambrose Finnegan. And when it was the Boston Braves, he didn’t like it. But at any rate, that’s another story,” said Biden. “The Braves will be forever remembered for the unstoppable, joyful run that this team made last year.”.Biden displayed a sense of humour, saying of the 2021 Braves, “It was a rough start, plagued by injuries. The All-Star break, not one day of a winning record. Given a .4 percent chance of winning on CNN. No, I’m only joking.”.Sports teams across the US faced pressure to change their names by Native American and other activists..The Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians changed their names to Commanders and Guardians, respectively..There are two sides to changing teams’ names,.Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said last year American Indians support the Braves name..“The Braves have done a phenomenal job with the Native American community,” Manfred said. “The Native American community in that region is wholly supportive of the Braves program. And for me that’s kind of the end of the story. In that market, taking into account the Native American community, it works.”.Richard Sneed, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, based in western North Carolina, defended the Braves name in 2020..“To me, the Washington Redskins name was probably the only team name that I could look at and say that’s derogatory, that’s a racial slur,” said Sneed. “But all the rest, they’re an affirmation of the honor and strength and courage and the warrior spirit of native people.”.Those opposing the name include the National Council of American Indians and the Muscogee Nation, based in Oklahoma, but historically from the American Southeast..Twitter users took the opportunity to remind Biden of his failed track record as president..“You think there is more important things going on in this country besides a conversation on the Atlanta Braves name change!!”.“The Atlanta Braves name change discussion is meant to be a distraction because Dems don’t want to talk about the crisis at the southern border, collapsing economy, rapid increase in crime, the energy and education crises. Don’t fall for it. They are losing and they know it.”.“Now the Left wants the Atlanta Braves to change their name. What’s next? Does the Left want to erase the wild west and rid us of the Dallas Cowboys?”.“The White House thinks it’s important to have a conversation about changing the name of the Atlanta Braves. Americans are definitely thinking the same thing when they’re paying 20% more at the grocery store.”.“Lost my job due to Mandates…Selling my home due to inflation…The Stock Market is collapsing…A family member died of Fentanyl…My breast milk was blue…My kids Teacher supports MAP. Don’t worry, we’re changing the name of the Atlanta Braves!”.“If the Atlanta braves change their name, it should be to the Atlanta Cowards.”.Some used humour..“The White House is concerned about the name of the Atlanta 'Braves.' Their brave & beautiful stand has inspired me to take my own stand. As a native of England, I am offended by the cultural appropriation of 'New England.' I demand they change the name and official language.”.“Hey Joe, change the name to honor you. How about the Atlanta Teleprompters? Or the Atlanta Falling Up Steppers? The Atlanta Hair Sniffers? The Atlanta Who Am I’s.”
