I grew up skating Indys. At no time did I think they were a racist with their logos. Neither did the team riders who were of color. Everyone who was on the team was stoked because when Indy arrived on the scene, they were the best. Their tactics were very punk getting the riders they wanted. Pre-Rocco industry shake up, they broke all the rules. Keep in mind, the 80's were a crazy time period for skating and the punk scene. I grew up in small towns and experienced racism on a grand scale. The locals hated skaters. At no point did I get a pass from the racist twats because I wore a skateboarding shirt with an iron cross on it. If anything it was a target on my back because at the time, only skateboarders wore skate clothing. In this currant era the abuse I endured because I skated would be criminal. Now, by saying that I wouldn't change a thing. It made me the person I am today and it made me wear the clothing people hated with a since of pride. Fuck you, yes I skate and you hate me for it and I prefer it that way. All skate clothing, not just Independent shirts.
I never ever heard that Indy had a "racist ideology" really until the last few years. Not from any of the multicultural team riders, which that would be apparent if they did. I also get why turds that didn't skate started wearing the tees, that shit looked tough. Which seeing some tough guy with tribal sleeve tats rocking an Indy tee was very lame. In the end, our culture is cool and outsiders will always be attracted to "skate fashion" even if we hate it.
I personally being a fan of how the actual trucks ride and not being concerned about logos, am cool with them changing their logo. Times change, roll with it. All the old kooks who barely skate and are up in arms about their sacred cross being left in the past, get over it. Their "I used to skate" wardrobe will be fine. To wrap it up, never thought the logo was racist, got my ass kicked many times for wearing it by redneck goons, and am fine with the new logo. My Indys will turn and grind the same way they have since the mid 80s.