RICHMOND -
Hours after the Virginia State NAACP blasted Richmond's new baseball team for considering the nickname "Hambones" the team has dropped the name from consideration.
The NAACP considers Hambones offensive. Executive Director King Salim Khalfani says, "hambone was done on the plantation by African captives and was used at minstrel shows to entertain white audience."
"The fact that it [Hambones] is being considered for use is unacceptable, unfathomable and unconscionable," Khalfani says.
This afternoon Richmond Professional Baseball's released the following statement:
"Richmond Professional Baseball has removed the term Hambones from consideration for the name of the new franchise returning baseball to Richmond. The name was chosen from submissions made to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and our sole intent was to utilize the concept of Virgina Ham and its history in the region. We were honestly unaware of any negative, derogatory, or offensive connotations. Our organization in no way intended to offend any individual or segment of society with its inclusion in our name the team contest. We offer a sincere apology to those that may have been offended by our mistake. We continue to build towards the exciting return of baseball to this great city and look forward to groundbreaking days ahead as the identity of the team takes shape."
The NAACP considers Hambones offensive. Executive Director King Salim Khalfani says, "hambone was done on the plantation by African captives and was used at minstrel shows to entertain white audience."
"The fact that it [Hambones] is being considered for use is unacceptable, unfathomable and unconscionable," Khalfani says.
This afternoon Richmond Professional Baseball's released the following statement:
"Richmond Professional Baseball has removed the term Hambones from consideration for the name of the new franchise returning baseball to Richmond. The name was chosen from submissions made to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and our sole intent was to utilize the concept of Virgina Ham and its history in the region. We were honestly unaware of any negative, derogatory, or offensive connotations. Our organization in no way intended to offend any individual or segment of society with its inclusion in our name the team contest. We offer a sincere apology to those that may have been offended by our mistake. We continue to build towards the exciting return of baseball to this great city and look forward to groundbreaking days ahead as the identity of the team takes shape."
