Here are a few truths: The Cleveland Indians’ mascot Chief Wahoo is racist. Dressing up as Chief Wahoo is racist. During the first two games of the World Series in Cleveland — and previous playoff games — many Indians fans dressed up in racist costumes involving headdresses and face paint in homage to this racist mascot.

Some people have had a hard time rooting for the Indians because of Chief Wahoo, but this is not to say that if you are rooting for the Indians in the World Series you’re a terrible person. They’re a wonderful baseball team loaded with talent and are a joy to watch (did you see Corey Kluber pitch the first game?). So cheer for them. Go to the games. Buy the hot dogs. Drink the beers. Eat the peanuts. Rally the caps.

But don’t do this:

Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP

Or this:

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Or this:

EPA

Or this:

EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Or this:

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Or this:

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Or dress your kid up like this:

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Or hold up this sign:

EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

One more time:

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Or wear this:

EPA/DAVID MAXWELL

Most people know that dressing up in blackface is wrong. Dressing up as a caricature of an American Indian is also wrong. I don’t care if Chief Wahoo is the mascot you grew up with, I don’t care if you’re emotionally invested in the continuation of a tradition. Wearing headdresses, painting your face: It’s harmful to people whose culture and heritage and very being you are mocking. There is nothing you can say to justify it, so please just stop.

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