With some topics, the tone simply doesn't matter. It is the issue itself that deserves respect.

And everyone understands that the tone gets lost, and must think of this when doing acts these kinds of things.

Okay, we have some ignorant people in the thread so let's get a few things straight. First off, as I alluded to, ignorance is no excuse. No one can walk around in a Nazi uniform and be excused. No one can use racial slurs and be excused, simply claiming that it's some sort of protest against political correctness. If you act like a bigot, as far as I'm concerned, you're a bigot.

As far as George Washington chopping down a cherry tree being the same the same as the Rosa Parks reference....uh, what? Did Washington chop down the tree because he was white? Did race ever play a part in that, come one, even in the slightest? Now if Rosa Parks stole your seat, then you would have been white, and thus entitled to the seat since Rosa Parks was black, and thus undeserving. Anyone see the racism here? If you don't, well...you're ignorant or a racist, it's not my job to figure out which.

is it racist if I say Bush don't know how to lead a country because he is white, or if I say the other way around like Obamma don't know to lead a country because he is black. You would not be angry over me saying something about white, but if I say something about black then I'm racist?

is it racist if I say Bush don't know how to lead a country because he is white, or if I say the other way around like Obama don't know to lead a country because he is black. You would not be angry over me saying something about white, but if I say something about black then I'm racist?

@ number 5

You can do all of the things you wrote and absolutely "be excused" I can walk down the middle of Skokie Illinois with a Nazi uniform flying a flag with the iron cross on it. Any why is that? Because the constitution says I can.

I do not advocate any of these actions, but I think as journalists, you need to defend the right that gives you your jobs. If you don't like the arena names, character names, you don't have to play. You can protect yourself from those things. (Yes I know its a well beaten horse of an excuse but unfortunately its the truth) Until Bliz decides to ban the name, there is nothing wrong with it unfortunately.

I don't think you understand your example about Skokie. The Constitution specifies that the government will do nothing to impede free speech. In no way does it say that Blizzard or WowInsider have to promote it. So, if the GMs of Blizzard find it sufficiently offensive, they are in no way compelled to allow it. Blizzard regularly bans names that are offensive, and players that have crossed acceptable boundaries, that is their right.

"You would not be angry over me saying something about white, but if I say something about black then I'm racist?"

Yes then you would be racist. Reverse racism is largely a myth. Most people would laugh at what you said about Bush because it would be seen as comical not true. Kind of like the use of the word "honky". It's about the class/power structure of our society.

This is a good article about it http://www.raceandhistory.com/selfnews/viewnews.cgi?newsid1024893033,80611,.shtml

It is all USA bullsh*t. Racism, sexism, ... People have opinions and noone can deny them having those opinions. People express their opinions and noone should be able to deny that either. You might find people offensive and thus loose your respect for them, but punishing people for their opinions or for expressing such opinions in a public forum is just unfair.

yea... im not racist but if i ran into an arena team with this name (which i have) im pretty sure my partner and i would just laugh (which we did), and he's, i'll be PC here, african-american. he thought it was hilirious and not offensive at all.

i also think that making such a big deal out of something like this just gives the racists out there validation that what they are doing affects someone in a negative manner. i just ignore ignorant people.

What if an arena team had the name "Osama should have finished the job and taken out the Statue of Liberty"? Even if it was "tongue-in-cheek" and people are free to say what they want (free speech and all that), then I'm also free to not only be offended and disgusted, but to report the heck out of such irreverent and flippant teams.

USA bullshit? I hate to burst your bubble, but racism exists everywhere. I laughed when I read this too. It's pretty damn funny, and a rather obscure reference for a video game name. Does the fact that I find this funny make me racist? Hell no. It means I'm not out to say "I'm so fucking politically correct! My shit doesn't stink!" Honestly, Blizzard has every right to stop this. It's their game. But if you are about to honestly say that everybody who makes a race joke is racist, you have some serious issues somewhere deep in your soul. Is the word soul still politically correct? Ok, just checking.

@Oneiroi

If anyone says that a person cannot do something because they are a certain race, they are being racist. Period.

Counter racism is *not* a myth. Unfortunately, claiming that it does not exist is a very popular attitude to have that makes it's use seem "accepted" in society due to historical events.

I am very tired of having one of my friends say something, and have me repeat it with the exact same tone and attitude, yet when he says it it's ok and funny but when I say it it's suddenly extremely racist and "shame on me."

There is NOT ONE race on this planet that has not had some type of racism committed against them and have done so in return. Even many decades/centuries after the fact there still can be lingering feelings of such under the surface which color the thoughts and actions of the people.