Letter: Hardly is an insult

To the Editor:

I just learned that another U.S. corporation is insulting a group of citizens. The Chrysler company had the audacity 60 years ago to name their top-of-the-line Jeep vehicle, the Cherokee. Now the Cherokee nation wants the automobile name dropped. Really?

I am having a difficult time understanding their accusatory insult. I can go along with dropping Redskins from an NFL team or college team or high school team. Redskins is obviously insulting. The Cleveland Indians dropping their cartoon Indian image, Chief Wahoo, is a good idea. Cute years ago, but not today. Florida State University is allowed to use the Seminole nickname because the Seminole tribe gets a cut of profits from the sale of Florida State University souvenirs. I really believe that this is the reason behind the Cherokee nation complaint.

The Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee are the top of the line Jeep products. They are the luxury models of this brand of automobile. This is a compliment to the Cherokee nation not an insult. If you want a cut of Jeep Cherokee profits, come out and say so, but to say the Jeep name Cherokee is derogatory is ridiculous at best. This hardly is an insult. This Cherokee name is on par with top names in the Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes or any other top-of-the-line automobile products.

Don Lass

Oswego