In the critically acclaimed movie, Philadelphia, where Tom Hanks earned the 1994 Actor in a Leading Role, Academy Award, there was a line delivered by Denzel Washington (who, in my opinion, should have been awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), which lends the title of today’s narrative from the Voice from the Bullpen.

After some decisions made in the past couple years in the world of sports and school names, logos, and mascots from professional to high school levels, I find myself scratching my head uttering these words spoken by Attorney Joe Miller, in the powerfully emotional film of the mid-nineties. I’m speaking of the discussions regarding the use of certain names, logos, and mascots, and their removal, or not, from use in schools and sports.

For two seasons now, the NFL’s entry housed in our nation’s capital, has called itself the Washington Football Team. They’ve removed the old name and logo from their equipment, facilities, and merchandise and moved on, whether those in the offices, fan clubs, fan bases, or merchandise shops agree(d) with the decision to change or not.

As a few may know, I’m a Cleveland Indian fan. I’ve been one my entire near 69 years on this earth. It’s the only name of my favorite MLB team I’ve known. Most of my wardrobe is adorned in some way with the baseball team in Cleveland, my car is decorated some with Indians markings, and my home might be considered a Cleveland Indians museum by some. About a year and a half ago, a decision was made to change the name, mascot, and logo of the Indians, and finally, on Friday, November 19, 2021, the Cleveland Indians officially became the Cleveland Guardians.

Was I happy about this decision? Selfishly, no, but I do understand some were/are offended by the name, the logo, mascot, and I’m a fan of Cleveland baseball, and baseball will still go on in Cleveland, so I accept it, and will move on. It doesn’t mean I’ll redecorate my home, drastically change the Wahoo Wagon, or throw out all the clothing I have signifying the history of Cleveland Indians Baseball for the past 106 years, after all, much of what I have is Hall of Fame related memorabilia, and childhood memories memorabilia. That said, I’ll be wearing Guardians apparel, my vehicle has already been updated, though not completely transformed, and I’ll be cheering for the Guardians beginning this season.

My need for a very slow explanation, as if I weren’t old enough to understand a more detailed one, is why the Washington Football team was criticized, some calling it a racist organization, the same said for the Cleveland baseball team, then, as I watched last fall’s World Series, I saw and heard Braves fans standing, emulating, chanting, and making the much celebrated, rhythmic, “Tomahawk Chop,” resounding throughout the stands? I then listened to the Commissioner of Baseball’s remarks indicating that gesture is/was a gesture of honor to the Native American History and Heritage. This is the same Commissioner who supposedly approached the Cleveland Baseball Team nearly three years ago, asking the Indians’ organization to change the name, logo, and mascot of their team. [(Many even rumored he offered (bribed?) the 2019 MLB All Star Game and Festivities to Cleveland Baseball if they agreed to change the name, logo, and mascot.)

I mention that rumor because, ironically, the 2021 MLB All Star Game and Festivities were supposed to be in Atlanta, but the week was taken away from the Georgia capital, the reason given was in response to Georgia’s restrictive new voting law. There were others, however, who speculated the Braves weren’t willing to discuss changing the name or possible removal of the “chanted chop,” which was rumored to have been the real reason for pulling the game. I guess we’ll never know.

I’ve also seen, and heard, that same “Tomahawk Chop” resound through stadia on televised games of the NFL’s KC Chiefs, and College Football’s Florida State Seminoles. I honestly don’t know if the subject has been broached with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, but I’ve seen changes in names, mascots, and/or logos of some college and high schools, some of them locally. It seems where there’s big money involved, the offensive feelings of some groups sometimes get tossed aside.

I’ve seen it, heard it, and read explanations, but I don’t understand how it is considered (by big office people) offensive in some circles and settings, but not in others, especially in the worlds of professional sports where at least one commissioner says one thing out of one side of his mouth, and something else from the other.

So, could someone now please, “explain it to me like I’m a four-year-old?”