[Lefty Noob]

I'm not sure where this got off track but I think the bottom line is best summarized by this line from Tootoo's Wikipedia entry: "As the first Inuk to play in the National Hockey League he has become a role model for youth in Nunavut." I see where is is also a former Manitoba Sportsman of the Year award nominee and was a recipient of honors at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards. So beyond the shadow of the doubt, he is an inspiration to a lot of people, wouldn't everyone agree?

[blueandwhite]

Have you heard they call him the tootoo train?
that cracks me up.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Have you heard they call him the tootoo train?
that cracks me up.

The Tootoo Train? Ha ha, oh, my. For some reason I have trouble picturing big, tough hockey players calling a guy The Tootoo Train.

[blueandwhite]

see it helps his number is 2-2.
I think the nickname smooths his rough edges.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Of course he is proud of where he comes from, of his culture and his story, his family and the legacy he leads as the first Inuit player in the NHL. no one argues that. What he has achieved is a milestone. When i said I prefer to think of him as Canadian i wasn't saying he isn't Inuit or we'll ignore that part - i was being silly just claiming him as canadian as opposed to non canadian ie Swedish or American.
I just don't agree with labeling someone The Inuit Player when his name comes up. I don't want what I said initially to be turned into some kind of white washing of his culture.
Label it silly PC and dismiss it, a lot of people will and do - but some people say benign, some people say not benign.
I know you'll get the last word in, GDK - just don't put words in my mouth.

You lost me...we refer to Swedes as Swedes, Russians as Russians, Goons as well Goons, and on and on...what are those if not labels?...we have done that since we have been on this site... with references to Borge and Sundin especially...so does it not become a double standard when I say "Inuit player" and you say..."oh, wait, you are labeling"...is the word Inuit in and of itself suddenly not PC enough?...is it a Canadian thing?... was I using it in a derogatory manner?...Nope... I was doing what we always do with our posts...and suddenly I am "labeling"...oh please blueandwhite girl...I mean if we are going that route what other labels can't I use?

Cathy Freeman runs in the Olympics for Australia and there is a million and one stories refering to her Aboriginal heritage...so if I suddenly post Cathy Freeman the Aborignal runner from Australia, or for brevity shorten it to Cathy Freeman the Aborignal runner...suddenly I am in PC hell?...what gives?

Do you know it took me a few readings of your first comments to even catch on that you thought I was "pigeon holing" him into some sort of cultural sterotype by refering to him as "the Inuit player"...which by the way, I thought was a cool thing...

...and how am I suddenly putting words in your mouth???... I can't even have an opinion that says, "hey now, I think you are white washing the issue here"...you took offense ( or felt uncomfortable somewhat) to what you thought was a "label" ...and yet I can't say, "wait a minute now, from where I am standing, and by the labeling standards we have established for two years now, you are changing things up on me and white washing this."...how does "my opinion" on an issue put words in your mouth?

Pray tell, what is the correct way in which a person who wants to be PC refer to the culture of Tootoo? I mean, given they can't call him an Inuit player...what is appropriate... anything?...I mean there has to be a way, or it would be white washing the issue...

[blueandwhite]

I'm done, Gotham.
Let's just leave it where it is, agree to disagree. I was all for changing the subject.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

I'm done, Gotham.
Let's just leave it where it is, agree to disagree. I was all for changing the subject.

Well okay, suit yourself...though you never did offer what the correct way to refer to his heritage would be, given that you took offense to "the Inuit player"...you might want to pass the PC info to ESPN, who mention he was "the first Inuit player in the NHL" in the first sentence of their story today...hopefully they will not get sued for the reference to his culture...

Heck, worse, their title was "
"Tootoo, first Inuit in NHL, gets new deal from Predators"

ESPN - Tootoo, first Inuit in NHL, gets new deal from Predators - NHL

[blueandwhite]

Gotham - I'm not arguing that he is the first Inuit player in the NHL. I don't think ESPN needs my guidance, but thanks for the sarcasm. ESPN is on your side.
I just said at the start of this that the Preds signed him to a 2 year deal. It was about his new contract. You called him The Inuit Player. i think it does people a disservice if they are always referred to as a label. I think Tootoo would like to be known as a great hockey player, and not always referred to as the first Inuit player in the NHL or The Inuit Player.
You disagree. Okay. This is just my opinion. we've argued this into the ground.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Gotham - I'm not arguing that he is the first Inuit player in the NHL. I don't think ESPN needs my guidance, but thanks for the sarcasm. ESPN is on your side.
I just said at the start of this that the Preds signed him to a 2 year deal. It was about his new contract. You called him The Inuit Player. i think it does people a disservice if they are always referred to as a label. I think Tootoo would like to be known as a great hockey player, and not always referred to as the first Inuit player in the NHL or The Inuit Player.
You disagree. Okay. This is just my opinion. we've argued this into the ground.

Well then okay... have it your way...

I am done making any references to Mats Sundin as a "Swede with icy blue eyes"...I mean, I think we are doing him a diservice as well, don't you think?...heaven forbid we take away from his game by talking about his blue eyes, or the fact that he is from Sweden...or I think in one post some where lost in time, you made references to his nice size hands...from now on, its stats and game comentary when it comes to the Toronto captain...cause, and I mean this in a nice but serious way, I really, really, really hate any form of double standard.

Personally, I thought it a cool thing that the guy is Inuit and that its worthy of mention...what little I know of them, at least I know that it's a tiny culture and if someone gains a measure of recognition from that culture for something, well, that it might be worthy of mention...sorry you feel otherwise.

Not sure if I am please with being group with those hack at ESPN...but maybe there is safety in numbers...

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Gotham - I'm not arguing that he is the first Inuit player in the NHL. I don't think ESPN needs my guidance, but thanks for the sarcasm. ESPN is on your side.
I just said at the start of this that the Preds signed him to a 2 year deal. It was about his new contract. You called him The Inuit Player. i think it does people a disservice if they are always referred to as a label. I think Tootoo would like to be known as a great hockey player, and not always referred to as the first Inuit player in the NHL or The Inuit Player.
You disagree. Okay. This is just my opinion. we've argued this into the ground.

but blue this is nothing new ...... players and coaches in all sports are referred to in this manner

'There are a bunch of Samoans playing for Hawaii'

'Tony Dungy is the first black coach to win a Super Bowl'

it happens all the time ..... seems it has been conditioned for better or worse

[blueandwhite]

I do agree, simon, they do make these kind of statements in pro sports all the time. For good or bad, yeah.