DO: Burn The Boats | Syracusefan.com

DO: Burn The Boats

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Hawknate144

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dailyorange.com

Opinion: SU men’s lacrosse’s ‘burn the boats’ glorifies Indigenous genocide

Syracuse men’s lacrosse’s “burn the boats” practice jerseys glorify Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Indigenous peoples, our columnists write. This pre-match mantra reflects disregard for the game’s Indigenous origins.
dailyorange.com

Yeah I admit, that the history of the phrase is problematic and probably shouldn't have been used. I think it's a good step to apologize and not wear the shirts again.
 
It was such an odd choice in the first place. I feel like there are a zillion other slogans or quotes you could use that have that same sentiment. Have to assume there was some ignorance on the origins of the quote.

Also I think it is weird to have a slogan that essentially implies it is this year or never for a natty. That is far from the case! A lot of key guys will still be on the roster next year. Yes this year is a better chance than a lot of years with all the senior talent, but it is weird for the team itself to lean in to that with a "now or never" type slogan.
 
Hawknate144 said:
dailyorange.com

Opinion: SU men’s lacrosse’s ‘burn the boats’ glorifies Indigenous genocide

Syracuse men’s lacrosse’s “burn the boats” practice jerseys glorify Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Indigenous peoples, our columnists write. This pre-match mantra reflects disregard for the game’s Indigenous origins.
dailyorange.com

Yeah I admit, that the history of the phrase is problematic and probably shouldn't have been used. I think it's a good step to apologize and not wear the shirts again.
Expand...
from the article:

In a statement to The Daily Orange responding to this piece ahead of publication, John Stark, assistant director of athletic communications, wrote, “We thank those in our community who brought the concerns associated with this phrase to our attention. The team will not be wearing these warm up jerseys going forward.”
 
FloridaCuse said:
from the article:

In a statement to The Daily Orange responding to this piece ahead of publication, John Stark, assistant director of athletic communications, wrote, “We thank those in our community who brought the concerns associated with this phrase to our attention. The team will not be wearing these warm up jerseys going forward.”
Expand...
That's what I was referring by saying that not wearing them was a good first step
 
DoctahLexus said:
It was such an odd choice in the first place. I feel like there are a zillion other slogans or quotes you could use that have that same sentiment. Have to assume there was some ignorance on the origins of the quote.

Also I think it is weird to have a slogan that essentially implies it is this year or never for a natty. That is far from the case! A lot of key guys will still be on the roster next year. Yes this year is a better chance than a lot of years with all the senior talent, but it is weird for the team itself to lean in to that with a "now or never" type slogan.
Expand...
Yeah, I agree, to be honest when I first read it I thought it was a reference to the military technique of Fireships, used most famously against.the Spanish Armada, where you set fire to a less valuable ship and set it towards the enemy to cause chaos, playing into the risk taking the team is known for as a way to unsettle the opponent.
 
Hawknate144 said:
Yeah, I agree, to be honest when I first read it I thought it was a reference to the military technique of Fireships, used most famously against.the Spanish Armada, where you set fire to a less valuable ship and set it towards the enemy to cause chaos, playing into the risk taking the team is known for as a way to unsettle the opponent.
Expand...
That's what I thought also.
 
I'm sure TF is chomping at the bit to destroy us for this. Counting down 10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . .
This will be the real test to see if he reads this Board.
 
Hawknate144 said:
That's what I was referring by saying that not wearing them was a good first step
Expand...
On my first read I thought you were suggesting that they not wear them. Not everyone will read the full article so I thought it was important to post SU's exact definitive statement so everyone would know that. I didn't mean to lessen your post but to enhance it. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
 
The phrase “burn the boats” didn’t originate with Hernán Cortés and reflects a much older, cross-cultural idea of total commitment seen in figures like Xiang Yu. In fact, historians generally agree Cortés didn’t even literally burn his ships, but likely scuttled them, and the modern phrase is a simplified retelling that came later. It’s a good example of how history can get reshaped to fit a narrative, even when the broader context tells a different story. And I am not saying I agree with the shirts at all. The first thing I thought when I saw them on opening night was, “ehhhh that’s an odd tone.” I was waiting for an article to come out such as the one posted above. Good learning lesson for all parties.
 
Hawknate144 said:
dailyorange.com

Opinion: SU men’s lacrosse’s ‘burn the boats’ glorifies Indigenous genocide

Syracuse men’s lacrosse’s “burn the boats” practice jerseys glorify Hernán Cortés’ conquest of Indigenous peoples, our columnists write. This pre-match mantra reflects disregard for the game’s Indigenous origins.
dailyorange.com

Yeah I admit, that the history of the phrase is problematic and probably shouldn't have been used. I think it's a good step to apologize and not wear the shirts again.
Expand...

I don't know this seems like a stretch at best. I certainly don't support what happened with Cortes ( I doubt anyone does) but were now comparing something that happened 500+ years ago in a different part of the world with a warm up T-shirt? As Kismet noted this doesn't even originate with Cortes, seems like a lot of uproar for really no reason.
 
DoctahLexus said:
It was such an odd choice in the first place. I feel like there are a zillion other slogans or quotes you could use that have that same sentiment. Have to assume there was some ignorance on the origins of the quote.

Also I think it is weird to have a slogan that essentially implies it is this year or never for a natty. That is far from the case! A lot of key guys will still be on the roster next year. Yes this year is a better chance than a lot of years with all the senior talent, but it is weird for the team itself to lean in to that with a "now or never" type slogan.
Expand...

I assume it was about the big Senior Class and their last attempt at getting a title. I get it but certainly the program isn't gonna shutter no matter the results of this years team, although I think its clear this is probably the best shot at a title for at least the next few years.
 
JeremyCuse said:
I assume it was about the big Senior Class and their last attempt at getting a title. I get it but certainly the program isn't gonna shutter no matter the results of this years team, although I think its clear this is probably the best shot at a title for at least the next few years.
Expand...
Agreed, also it's Odernia who started this and there is a decent chance he gets a HC job somewhere else soon, so it's probably his last real shot at a Natty as well.

Also maybe not here, but there are some people who view this as our last dance because of the comparative lack of high ranked recruits as of late.
 
DoubleDee said:
This is crazy the way every single thing in the universe gets picked apart. My father would say "picking the fly s&$! out of the pepper". Are the native kids on the team bent out of shape?
Expand...

It's not just that its the way its framed, I mean look at this line: "While Odierna defined this men’s lacrosse season by pro-colonization rhetoric, he Haudenosaunee, the founders of the game, are defined in part by their resistance to colonization." I mean good lord.
 
DoubleDee said:
This is crazy the way every single thing in the universe gets picked apart. My father would say "picking the fly s&$! out of the pepper". Are the native kids on the team bent out of shape?
Expand...
It's the world we live in. The phrase is about being totally committed - all in. Several teams before Syracuse have used the phrase and concept. Clemson, Alabama, New York Giants, and others. Someone is working overtime to try to distract this team.
 
DMVCuseLax said:
It's the world we live in. The phrase is about being totally committed - all in. Several teams before Syracuse have used the phrase and concept. Clemson, Alabama, New York Giants, and others. Someone is working overtime to try to distract this team.
Expand...
That much is clear, especially from the ending about how the team deserves to lose because of this
 
"As Indigenous alumni of SU, we urge that this matter be addressed immediately. Any use of the phrase “burn the boats” should cease. The entire men’s program staff should be mandated to attend cultural competency trainings. Above all, the program and Odierna should issue a public apology and Odierna should be held accountable for his poor lapse in judgement."

They should schedule Nick Saban and Deebo Sweeney with coach O. lol
 
It cannot be understated that this is also likely some push to make Athletics look bad because certain parts of the student body are blaming sports for the recent budget issues instead of.the truth which is administrative bloat.
 

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