Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee May Have to Change Names Soon
It’s hard to imagine Jeep without the Grand Cherokee and, to a lesser extent, the smaller Cherokee. But that’s what might happen if political correctness forces the company to find replacements.
At least for their names.
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According to Chuck Hoskin, Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, it’s time for Jeep to get rid of the name it has used for the past 45 years.
“I’m sure this comes from a place that is well-intended, but it does not honour us by having our name plastered on the side of a car,” he told Car and Driver.
His wish is that people learn about the Cherokee Nation’s role, history, culture and language, and have meaningful dialogue with federally recognized tribes on cultural appropriateness.
Hoskin, Jr. believes today’s corporations and team sports should retire the use of Native American names, images and mascots from their products.
He referred to teams like the MLB’s Cleveland Indians or the NFL’s Washington Redskins which recently decided to drop their names. It’s the same with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos and the McGill University Redmen, the latter now known as “Redbirds.”
Jeep, which has also used Native American names like Comanche and Mojave, is well aware of the Cherokee Nation's request. In response to the story, the company said that its "vehicle names have been carefully chosen and nurtured over the years to honor and celebrate Native American people for their nobility, prowess, and pride.”
Times are changing, however. Sensibilities, too. In fact, it’s the first time the Cherokee Nation is publicly asking Jeep to change the name of its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee vehicles.
What do you think? And what could be alternative names for these two?