Bomani Jones is currently wearing an Indians parody "Caucasians" tee on Mike & Mike on ESPN. @UniWatch @PhilHecken pic.twitter.com/Hni9ycNnxu
— B-Dilly (@Titan4Ever2488) April 7, 2016
Bomani Jones of ESPN is never one to shy away from a topic that pisses people off, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he appeared on the network’s airwaves Thursday morning by wearing a not-so-subtle message.
You see, the Cleveland Indians logo, Chief Wahoo, is sorta kinda maybe definitely insulting to Native Americans. Plenty of white people will tell you that mascot isn’t offensive, which is easy to say when it doesn’t apply to your heritage. Bomani is simply showing that a team called the Caucasians with a pasty-faced logo and light hair has the potential to be just as demeaning.
Personally, that’s exactly what I look like minus the dollar sign, so I can’t argue.
But that won’t stop other people from having a problem. Here’s a glimpse into Bomani’s Twitter mentions today:
https://twitter.com/DrewSmith1391/status/718047801595281409/photo/1
@bomani_jones the name "The Indians" was a tribute to former player Louis Sockalexis who was native American, funny did you mention that?
— John Sheehy (@lunapark010) April 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/tpg10538/status/718039924046475264
https://twitter.com/sullisull420/status/718078620896530432
@bomani_jones where's a $ Caucasians shirt so he can get publicity and get more $ from Caucasian audience. Interesting.
— Commandersweekly (@commandrsweekly) April 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/ATLchopper18/status/718075339138727936
@bomani_jones u are a nobody dude
— Ross Harrison (@Nyce1661984) April 7, 2016
But really, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
@bomani_jones Your shirt in a word "BRILLIANT" Just bought one, love the statement it makes subtle, yet loud..
— Brett Thompson (@BrettWThompson) April 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheRealG_Dinero/status/718074152943353857
https://twitter.com/Nathandbricker/status/718074041685426176
@bomani_jones Is the realist! pic.twitter.com/ltHDN50pmf
— sir_We$! (@JwesCRU1) April 7, 2016
@bomani_jones you are now my favorite … They need you on @MikeAndMike more
— jamon tyus (@mrmontana1) April 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/d_scruffy1/status/718071660641853440
And it wouldn’t be complete without PFT Commenter capturing the spirit of the whole thing:
@bomani_jones just wanted2 let u know I dont care that your wearing a racist shirt im not offended.figured id hop online &tell u I dont care
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) April 7, 2016
Lost in the “controversy” of Bomani’s shirt is the truly controversial thing he said on the show — he hasn’t checked voice mail in five years. I know people who proudly proclaim this. “Just text me!” No. I needed to talk to you, hence I called. You can’t listen to a 20-second voice mail? What if I was calling to tell you I was in a hospital and you were the only blood type match in the area? Check voice mail, people.
But the shirt is cool though. You can purchase it here.