Utah baseball team cancels ‘Caucasian Heritage Night’

SALT LAKE CITY — On Friday, a man named Andy Larsen Right warned the Orem Owlz on Twitter, to cancel “Caucasian Heritage Night” because it was a mistake that could create a national news story. By then, it was too late. News organizations across the country were talking about it. Most people wondered why the minor league baseball team would hold such an event, with such a title.

“I thought it was a joke,” said Jeanetta Williams, Executive Director of the NAACP in Salt Lake City.

She, like other people who posted online comments around the country, wondered why the Owlz would create such an event given the spike in racial tensions nationally after the shooting deaths of nine Black people in Charleston and other deadly shootings of Black Americans by police in various states.

There was more criticism of “Caucasian Heritage Night.”

“Such events demonstrate a lack of awareness of recent racial incidents and the tangible suffering of people of color in our nation,” said Dr. Theresa Martinez, sociology professor at the University of Utah.

The Owlz event “seems terribly misguided at best,” continued Martinez.

After the team was slammed with criticism and calls, the event was cancelled. General Manager Justo Vazquez and Assistant General Manager Julie Hatch issued the following statement:

“Minor League Baseball, and the Orem Owlz, is about baseball, togetherness and family fun for all fans of all races, religions, and orientations. Our goal in this promotion, like any of our promotions, is to have fun and make fun of everyday normalcies. Our night was to include wonder bread on burgers with mayonnaise, clips from shows like Friends and Seinfeld and trying to solve the vertical leaping challenge. We understand, in light of recent tragic events, that our intentions have been misconstrued. For that, we sincerely apologize.

The Owlz are committed to all its fans, families and all fans of baseball alike – no matter who you are. The event has been removed from our promotional schedule effectively immediately”

Williams said people, no matter their skin color should celebrate their heritage but when organizing public events, words matter. She said often, groups who are organizing public events or statements call her to ensure the words they use are not offensive or insensitive.

“Why are they doing it? For what purpose? Who are they celebrating and why?” she asked.

Williams said she doesn’t think the people who manage the Owlz organization are racist.

“A lot of times when people don’t know it’s more being ignorant than racist,” she said.