LOL

 

If this dumbassery actually becomes a thing it won't be because real American Indians push for it. It'll be because leftist social justice warriors hijack the idea to make themselves feel less.. privileged..

My Grandmother was Choctaw. I like to think she'd love this Indian scooter I ride.

 

i agree

 

Oh oh.... get the popcorn ready....

 

Are any of you offended that I am offended by you being offended?

 

 

I hope they are changing the name of Minnesota's professional football team. I am Scandinavian and have always found the name offensive.

 

exactly where does it stop? its funny how the majority of native Indians care less its just a handful who have nothing else to do

 

I have a great idea that should make everyone Happy ! Let’s eliminate teaching History in school’s to our up and coming young children. Being as everyone’s trying to turn their head on this as if our History is going away some time soon . Im done with this whole Fu*kin thing. I’m just amazed at the ignorance that exists in going along with this BS. Lol how in the hell do you just erase our History it is what it is. And how in the hell does the Indian logo on our motorcycles put the American Indian in a bad light ? If nothing else I think it represents them in a better light more then anyone else has. Strong Good lookin American Iron !

 

Don’t even get me started on Cracker Barrel! I’m So offended!!
Somebody please stop the madness... for cripes sakes.

 

What about "black" , as in black painted bikes. I find the name of that color to be offensive. Maybe the color could be called BLM instead of just black?

 

Not sure when or if this will ever end. But was curious.

I have a helmet with a wonderful art work of an Indian Chief, wolf and eagle on it. Been complimented for it even by the Indian community

 

You never know... UND (University of North Dakota) moved up to DIV 1 and they were called the Fighting Sioux... some of the tribes said OK and some said no... the ones that said no were mostly not from around there... anyway the NCAA wouldn't let them move up if they didn't change their mascot... hello... Fighting Hawks... if Indian takes a knee and capitulates... my bike goes up for sale

 

Think all it takes is one company/organization with a spine to stand up and start the pendulum swinging away from all of this asshattery. Most of the people that would complain wouldn't even ride a motorcycle so who really cares. This whole thing is stupid. IMHO...

 

For those here old enough to remember "Firesign Theater" this thread brings to mind one sketch (can't recall the exact context) where the guy said "What's America?" and then said "Why it's....and followed with a list of un PC nicknames for a bunch of various ethnicities. Of course in those days there was no such term "PC".

This country needs to start breeding people with much thicker skins and a lot less sensitivity. I tell people, just because you got pissed off at what I said/did, doesn't mean I did it to piss you off. If I'm going to insult you personally, there will be no doubt of my intentions when I do it.

 

It's the pussification of America. When my family gets together, the intent is to offend each other. All in good fun. So many people are insulted so easily any more, they should put a crying room in Walmart.

 

The Native Americans got screwed big time in so may ways by the Europeans and other immigrants/peoples that came to this country. But in my 69 years here on earth I've not seen or heard any news reports or stories about Indians striving to be victims, as do so many other groups and organizations in this country. That said, I don't think Indians would complain or at least I'm not aware of complaints about the brand name of the bikes we ride. If they (Indians, not their self appointed "representatives") did or do complain, I think it might be or would be a valid complaint.

Name a bike or bike model after one of the victim groups out there today and see how that goes over.

 

Yeah, gonna have to change the name of a number of military helicopters, too.

 

Hhmmm... I wonder what the Quaker was doing?!?

 

🤣🤣🤣

 

What should matter is intent. In no way is this brand intended to be derogatory to anyone. On the contrary, I see it as paying homage.

 

Of all the products/uses discussed, the vast majority of them were not meant to be derogatory. It doesn't matter. If you don't bend the knee, the cancel culture will come knocking and the twitter mob will be unleashed upon you. So it is just a matter of time before Polaris finds themselves in their sights. Then we'll see what kind of stones they have.





BD

 

That, and the idiots even pulled down a statue of an abolitionist. I don't remember who the statue was of. Regardless it shows that it's nothing more than fun & games to some of the "protesters". That, or they're just ignorant.

 

That's funny.. I don't care what way one leans...

 

Hope the stupidity ends soon P.S. I am a little bit American Indian and love my bike and its proud heritage.

 

I think this all is getting out of hand. Hell, we would have to rename most of the states by some of this logic. And shit, about every car in America is named after some type of historic mountain or Native American name.

Chevy Cheyenne, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Comanche, Pontiac was a war Chief, Winnebago was a tribe in Nebraska and they had the models the Chief, the Warrior, the Brave, the Chieftain (yep look it up), the Thunderbird was a mythic bird, Dodge Seneca, Dodge Dakota, the Firebird, Mazda Navajo, and the list goes on.

Don't even get me started with Firearms, weapons of mass destruction, clothing, foods, etc..

And oh yeah, should we rename all our states? My home state of Kansas is a Sioux word. It means, "people of the South wind." and the Buffalo is our state animal. A true representation of the prairie. A state that triggered the civil war in the Bleeding Kansas period. A state all about Freedom in its infancy.

In my mind, the main offense is cartoon characterizations of Native American culture. As I stated early in this thread and will state again despite it's original meaning. The only offensive Indian Motorcycle symbol used and published by Indian in the 1930's was the use of the "laughing Indian". Not a smart move, but it was long time ago. And yes I know it started as an insult to HD racers by Indian racers. But, that logo has been shelved forever by Spirit Lake Indian.

And one more time, the war bonnet represented the freedom of movement and the headdress looking into the sky represented looking off into the sky for spirituality. And it was done in good taste and as an homage to the native people of this land. It was very respectful and likely part guilt as Indian was formed 10 years after the end of the western expansion and end of the Indian wars of the west. Those wars took away the freedom of the Indian people and too away their lands.

Back to the Bleeding Kansas ( look it up, most don't know the history) period for just a second.

The state of Massachusetts would send many abolitionists to support Kansas' right to be a free state despite raids and pressure from Missouri to be a slave state and they founded my hometown. See also the Kansas/Nebraska act of 1954. So it makes sense and it is connected.

Back to Indian

The people of Mass including George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom believed in freedom and picked the right thing at the right time. And out of respect for freedom. They felt America already had a great stain on its heritage and didn't want that memory to be forgotten. So why not honor it?

And again, Chief, Indian, Scout, etc. are not tribe specific words. I am glad Indian always used symbolic words vs. calling a bike the Apache, or Commando, or Cherokee, or Sioux...

Sorry, rant over.

Indian Motorcycles overall represents the most respectful piece of homage to Native American Indians than any other brand since the end of the American Indian wars. Period.

 

Naturally in our current culture I am only allowed to express an opinion related to the demographic and ethnicity that I represent. So according to hillbilly Caucasian males over 50, we're okay with the badge the way it is.

Anecdotally, while riding my Chief Vintage through the Qualla boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina, I was complimented by several natives about the look and sound of the bike. Not a single one threatened to Sioux.

 

The county that I live in has two Indian reservations. The native Americans have been nothing but positive about our Indian motorcycles.

As long as the name is respectful and not derogatory or racist there is no issue.

 

I remember reading back in "the good old days -say 2012 or so" , when Polaris bought the rights to the Indian name, they called on several of the major "First American" tribes and asked their opinion on the use of the name Indian and the use of the headdress as the company logo. All agreed that it was fine as long it was done respectfully. Polaris wasn't going to spend big money without doing some politically correct research.
But then, that was the "good old days".

 

My Indian Chieftain will stay branded as such, I will not kneel or bow to the cowardly radical left politicians or looters, murders, or anti American thugs they have hired and funded to do their dirty deeds and work to destroy our country and Constitution.

 

And as far as this thread is concerned, all viewpoints were pretty well stated six months ago. Rather than rip this scab off again, I’m going to put it back to bed. And this time I’m going to close it so we don’t have @Laara-types coming back to stir the pot.

’Nuff said.


* THREAD CLOSED ****

 

I've stated this before. The Indian name was chosen to pay homage to the native American people. And it was done very carefully. Remember Indian motocycle company was formed just a few years after the end of the American Indian wars.

The headdress itself is intended to represent freedom and the ability roam. That is why he looks off in the sky. It is both freedom to ride your pony and looking up to the sky for spiritual awareness that makes it symbolic, significant, and respectful.

And Chief is a generic term. And Scout is actually a French word.

The laughing Indian is the only image that is considered offensive in modern terms. And yes, I know it was racing f... off to Harley riders, but Indian of the 1930's did use it on speedos and a few other things. However, Polaris Indian knows this and now owns that trademark and it will remain in a drawer forever at this point.

What I have mixed emotions about are the headdress logos that are being created depicting a woman on the tank in a headdress. That was never allowed in native culture. Headdress were for great Warriors, Chiefs, and Medicine men of the tribes. But personally, I just don't like it, but that is the riders choice. You will never see Polaris Indian use that type of logo.

Of course, I do enjoy a sexy gal in a headdress on the Babes with Indians links, so I guess I am not 100% pc. But I do think the famous photo of one of the Gilroy era guys wife in a headdress is tastefully done and works as art. So there that....

 

I've stated this before. The Indian name was chosen to pay homage to the native American people. And it was done very carefully. Remember Indian motocycle company was formed just a few years after the end of the American Indian wars.

The headdress itself is intended to represent freedom and the ability roam. That is why he looks off in the sky. It is both freedom to ride your pony and looking up to the sky for spiritual awareness that makes it symbolic, significant, and respectful.

And Chief is a generic term. And Scout is actually a French word.

The laughing Indian is the only image that is considered offensive in modern terms. And yes, I know it was racing f... off to Harley riders, but Indian of the 1930's did use it on speedos and a few other things. However, Polaris Indian knows this and now owns that trademark and it will remain in a drawer forever at this point.

What I have mixed emotions about are the headdress logos that are being created depicting a woman on the tank in a headdress. That was never allowed in native culture. Headdress were for great Warriors, Chiefs, and Medicine men of the tribes. But personally, I just don't like it, but that is the riders choice. You will never see Polaris Indian use that type of logo.

Of course, I do enjoy a sexy gal in a headdress on the Babes with Indians links, so I guess I am not 100% pc. But I do think the famous photo of one of the Gilroy era guys wife in a headdress is tastefully done and works as art. So there that....

The company was started in 1901, the American-Indian wars ended in 1924.

 

I ain't changing nothing!!! No logos removed, no removing my patch, no burning T-shirts.
Period

 

I own and ride an Indian motorcycle. And all of the icons and names on it will stay on it.

 

Just wondering with the emphasis on changing names of sports teams that reflect anything to do with Indian is there
discussion of changing the Indian name. My hope is not as I am part Indian and I see the representation of the Indian heritage
and culture as being positive.

I recently pulled up to a stoplight on my Vintage next to a guy on a Softail. On his gas tank he had an Indian decal above his Harley Davidson metal script. I said “Hey, you’re an imposter.” With a deadpan straight face he said, “No, I’m a real Indian...on a Harley” Only then did I notice his complexion, ponytail, and “Rez Riders” patch. We had a great laugh.