Originally posted by SCREAMIN EAGLE
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The terms Irish is NOT a slur. It is the proper, accepted English-language definition to describe people from Ireland and their descendants.
The term "fight" does not specifically define drunken brawling. It has many meanings, some of which mean direct physical violence but others which mean to struggle against. Specifically, in the world of sports, fighting typically means competing as intercollegiate sports are competitions.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Fighting
Now, is it possible to see a negative connotation by adding "Fighting" in front of a mascot? Yes. Some people feel that "Fighting Illini" has a negative connotation. And while I can see that argument, it's not nearly as strong or black and white as the argument against the use of Redskins.
Multiple definitions of a word causing angst is far from use of a word that is a racial slur.
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