I'm pretty sure that I've got some ancestors that would not be tickled by Confederate flags and statues.
But in my lifetime, people, even in ND, think Lost Cause propaganda is awesome.
In my lifetime, people were offended by people with different skin tones showing affection to each other.
In my lifetime, people were offended by people of the same gender being in love. People literally got away with murder by using the "gay panic" defense.
In my lifetime, people were so scared of certain religions and genders, that they wouldn't allow them on their golf courses.
In my lifetime, people were outraged by The Simpsons, the song "Hot for Teacher", the Beastie Boys, The Life of Brian, metal music, D&D, video games...I could go on but by the time I finish the list, their direct philosophical descendants will have come up with 12 more things to be offended by.
In my lifetime, people started the Great 1980's Satanic Panic.
etc.
So, no, Kevin, this is not the first pussy generation. I mean, nobody is going to collapse from the vapors if somebody says "leg" instead of "limb" nowadays like they did in Victorian times - or put somebody in jail for wearing a beard (see Joseph Palmer.)
Are we off-topic enough?? I will continue. When I was in South High probably 1968, the building was still not entirely completed, especially the gym. I got lost and decided to cut through a hallway in the science lab area. There was a HUGE jar (like those massive pickle jars) full of FAT SNAKES. I screamed bloody murder and ran down the hall in hysterics. I have a SEVERE snake phobia but really who would not have been shocked by that? Maybe it was only 1 snake curled up. I still think of that.
Well, the topic of what offends people is kind of central to this thread. And it's gotten me feisty.
Apparently, the UND nickname fanbois have convinced themselves that the Bismarck Demons somehow are honoring the denizens of Hell. But let's just be clear about something: Nobody at Bismarck High chose that nickname to honor Satan's minions. That kind of thinking only came to the forefront around 2001 when pro-nickname folks at UND started claiming that UND chose the Sioux nickname to honor the Sioux (which is complete BS, btw.) But once they made that argument, the power of language was so great and the the power of their thinking skills so weak that they started misapplying the same rudiculous argument to the nickname at Devils Lake. It was like watching a drug dealer get high on their own supply, if the drug dealer's product was complete and abject stupidity that is. But that's UND for ya.
It's a little different with Wops. It didn't take Olympic level mental contortions to determine that this was actually offensive because you could find that out by calling somebody a Wop in Italian country and getting your ass kicked. So the Sioux nickname was clearly different. It seemed to be that the opposition there was more about wanting control over how their name, likeness, and legacy were used. UND missed an opportunity to sit down like they actually respected the tribes and come to an agreement. Instead, they took turns calling the nickname opponents on the Rez whiny morons and telling them to shut up which kind of undercut the whole "we're honoring you" charade.
Disclaimer: I went to Mandan (nickname = Braves) and I sure hope they learn from UND's blunders. I mean, even if there is no chance the nickname is going to face serious opposition, why not meet with Four Bears and Standing Rock people and make sure things are being done the right way?