Controversial dads football team name?

MrBrindle

Hi all, this is a bit random. But I'm looking to see if I'm right in my thinking here, or overthinking.

I play football for a local dads group, and we are ordering a football kit to play in some charity games / friendlies. A load of names were suggested in our whatsapp group, but the one that has won the poll is 'AC Asylum', because we play opposite an old mental asulym. 

Now, I work in the public sector, which has gone overdrive in terms of things like mental health, wellbeing and culture, and I don't think it's appropriate for someone like me to be wearing that out in public.

It's a terrible name anyway, which sounds a bit jokey at first, but imo, could easily end up offending mental health charities and individuals in the area.

Thoughts?

BridgetTheCat

Well my first thought was a team of refugees, not mental health 🤷🏻‍♀️

MrBrindle

BridgetTheCat said:

Well my first thought was a team of refugees, not mental health 🤷🏻‍♀️

 Yeah thats another point!

I guess the issue is whether or not it's appropriate.

marcia_

MrBrindle said:

BridgetTheCat said:

Well my first thought was a team of refugees, not mental health 🤷🏻‍♀️

 Yeah thats another point!

I guess the issue is whether or not it's appropriate.

 My thoughts were asylum seekers too. If you are erring caution that it might be offensive it probably is. 

Emmia

I might also assume it was a team of asylum seekers. This could attract the "go back to where you came from" crowd.

But yes, if you think it might be offensive it probably is. There are a few examples of professional teams changing their names to avoid offence in the modern world, so I'd not start with a name that is already a bit dubious/could be misinterpreted.

One example "Washington Redskins" is now "Washington Commanders,"

Grumpy_chap

As mentioned upthread, if you are concerned that the name might cause offence, why carry on with it?

"Asylum" means to offer / or a place of safety / refuge / protection so why not adopt a team name that works on that meaning? 
"AC Sanctuary" or similar, which could equally be that it is your Dad's sanctuary to get together and promote the teams mental health by offering a sanctuary for a few hours away from the stresses of daily life and get fit in the process.
Still very much linking to the history of the site.

MEM62

Whether it is appropriate or not, do you have sufficient influence to change it?  If not any discussion is moot.  

MrBrindle

Thanks all. I raised it as a potential issue this afternoon, and two boys messaged me privately saying they agree, but didnt want to say anything on the group as the name was actually the captains suggestion.

He still wants to do a spin on the the asylum thing and maybe use 'something inmates' instead! 

Grumpy_chap

MrBrindle said:

a spin on the the asylum thing and maybe use 'something inmates' instead! 

Well, in the context of a former mental health hospital asylum, "inmates" is probably a dated and non-PC terminology.  I would expect that the current phrase used would be residents / patients / customers

Sapindus

Inmates sounds fine to me, not offensive.  You're also mates and you're in the team.  It might be an outdated term that's been replaced to make people who are in care homes feel better, but if you want to apply it to a football team who gets hurt?  Asylum isn't exactly offensive but I agree it could lead to abuse.

LightFlare

What about AC Sanctum

plenty of interpretations there and none that I think would cause any issues