Letters: It’s just sports, Kansas City. We need to show respect to Native Americans

Quick work

If you wanted to spread a virus around the country, how would you do it?

Possibly the best way would be to send millions of kids to school every day to interact with millions of other kids, and then at the end of the day, send those millions of kids home to interact with members of millions of households.

- Jim Kilen, Kansas City

In good taste

To get ahead of the sensitivity over current team mascot names, I suggest the Chiefs be renamed the Chefs. This would highlight Kansas City’s longtime stockyard tradition, not to mention its barbecue.

The colors needn’t change, as red and yellow are the colors of an open flame. While there is no “i” in “Chefs,” there is “team” in “meat.” The chop could remain, given Price Chopper is a sponsor. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s trademark “Bam!” could follow replays of great hits on the field. His “Kick it up a notch” slogan could replace the current “Put the hammer down!”

Other guest celebrity chefs such as Guy Fieri and Gordon Ramsay could add their flavors to the theme. Michelin could become a major sponsor, elevating Kansas City restaurants. Players could be shown promoting and frequenting them. (Remember Neil Smith’s?) The “KC Strip” could be a special place in Arrowhead Stadium (renamed “Meathead.”) And remember: KC Wolf is a carnivore.

I’m sure there are many more examples that people smarter than I could add to this, but it’s a start.

- Roger R. Tobias, Lyons, Kansas

Russia’s goals

I saw an item on Facebook that indicated Russia is attempting to meddle in our election again. (Sept. 1, KansasCity.com, “Facebook, Twitter suspend Russian network ahead of election” ) I believe Russia is not a friendly nation and does not have American citizens’ welfare at heart.

I am concerned, and I pose this question: Why does Russia’s goal appear to be the reelection of Donald Trump as president of the United States? Shouldn’t all Americans be hearing alarm bells?

- Mona Glazer, Overland Park

Symbols, realities

A symbol can convey a message by the use of an image. It may or may not reflect reality. As an example, our good friends from the University of Kansas know that a Jayhawk will not appear in a field book of birds from the Midwest.

We live in a time when some people spend more and more time in the virtual world, which is filled with symbolism over reality. There are multiple Native American reservations in our area, including the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska in White Cloud, Kansas; the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska in Reserve, Kansas; the Kickapoo Reservation in Powhattan, Kansas; and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, Kansas.

I encourage anyone who would like to better balance their time between symbolism and reality to learn more about these neighbors of ours.

- Clark Israel, Pleasant Valley

Time to change

For the names, they are a-changing. Long overdue was the need to offer consideration to Native Americans by replacing Washington’s NFL team’s name with a new identity free from discriminatory degradation.

Every attempt should be made to be sensitive to our fellow human beings who are affected by offensive stereotypes. Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs organization are making the kingdom proud by demonstrating a willingness to offer that consideration.

Fans should be ready to take a stand as well. It’s standard operating procedure for them to be on their feet cheering. Once on their feet, the question becomes: What should the protocol be?

Thanks to the 12th man, there is a deserving recognition for Arrowhead as the loudest stadium in the league, capable of disrupting any opposing team’s game plan. Cheers for the volume going up to record decibels.

What needs to cease and desist, without going up anymore, are fans’ hands and arms doing the tomahawk chop. Although many people believe no harm is intended in the chop, it inflicts a negative impact, without a doubt.

When you know better, you do better. No more tomahawk chop.

- Mike George, Springfield, Missouri

Food for thought

I just want to say how much I appreciated the two well-written, thoughtful columns in the Sunday sports section by Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian. (1B, “No time to ‘stick to sports’: First, they — and all of us — have some work to do”; “Time to accept athletes aren’t children”)

I always enjoy their columns because they are relevant, entertaining and informative. These two examples were exceptional because they addressed the issues facing our country that go beyond the world of sports — important reading for all of us.

- Ray Daniels, Kansas City