Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader has finally been able to galvanize his colleagues into bipartisan action. He wrote to Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League telling him to change the name of the Washington Redskins because it was clearly racist.
Dan Snyder, the franchise owner has vowed never to change the name, and had Bruce Allen, the President of the organization write to the Commissioner. He said the team was a positive, unifying force for the community; adding that it was one of the NFL’s flagship franchises, played in 11 NFL championship games, been world champions five times, and that the Redskins team name carried “ a deep and purposeful meaning for millions”.
Allen exhorted Redskin fans, to ” show your pride and tell Senator Reid what this team means to you”. This strategy backfired badly, lots of people said they loved the team, but not the name. Allen, responded that the term Redskin actually originated as a Native American expression of solidarity”. Not really, when a Native American speaks of his or her red skin with pride and strong identity, that’s different than when white man says it. When white man used Redskins it has a hint of derogation. When that term was first used it was invariably preceded by an adjective like damn, heathen, dirty, or murdering.
Bruce Allen said that the overwhelming majority of Native Americans did not find the name offensive. I don’t know who did this survey nor, who was interviewed, how the questions were asked, but I personally doubt the surveys conclusions. The truth is most of my Native friends think it’s a well- orchestrated PR campaign to promote product sales; and the Redskins Original Americans Foundation which has contributed 1,000 tablet computers to Native American students, a laughable pittance.
What I find most interesting is that our government, which has been paralyzed by partisanship for the last 7 years, was able to mobilize so much passion and purpose about the name Washington Redskins. Proves that you have to be a bit of a putz to be a politician which is why I suggest the team be renamed the Washington Foreskins to remind us of what the business of politics is all about.
They should change the name. However, remember neither Dan Snyder nor Bruce Allen named the team. Do you really think the original owners intentionally called their team a derogatory name? Lets not pretend that their original intentions were ridiculous.
An astute quip if ever there was one!!!!
Just proves that in politics, with certain issues you take a hard stand.
Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee, became Tennessee Titans; Houston gets new team, Houston Texans. Iconic Baltimore Colts move to Indianapolis, become Indianapolis Colts, later Cleveland Browns, another iconic NFL franchise, move to Baltimore, become Baltimore Ravens. Then Cleveland gets new team and owners, again called Cleveland Browns. Many fans probably don’t even know Cleveland team ever moved. All these teams are making incredible money now. SO, CHANGE THE NAME, WASHINGTON! Foreskins, goatskins, whiteskins, whatever-just try to find an unoffensive name and go back to raking in your money!
Perhaps I’m not well informed enough to “get it”, but from my uneducated view it seems that what was an easy choice has become a complicated mess. I guess that is what happens in Washington.
In any case, times change, societal norms change, values change, so why not the name of a sports team? The previous comment illustrates several examples of when it as happened in the past and I imagine it will happen again in the future, why the resistance?
It seems to me that, as we have seen too many times in the past, an overdeveloped ego tends to overlook what is logical and beneficial and prefers the status quo at all costs.
I know that there is no way to please everyone all of the time; however, what could have been a great opportunity for the owner of the team to create some goodwill, while at the same time filling has bank account with sales of re-branded items, he/she(?) has made a morass (or is that more ass?) of it. Long live the status-quo.
Right on, my brother!
Last year, I was honored to visit with our Hopi brothers and sisters up on Third Mesa. I had an enlightening discussion with grandmother. I am a social worker, but more importantly, I am a sister of all others and I agree with you, our politicians continue to prove the point that one need not have intellectual nor emotional intelligence to sit on either side of the aisle.
Was unable to participate in a sweat lodge ceremony as planned, but did have a meaningful day on Third Mesa.
Blessings to you and yours!
Glad we are together on the healing journey and blessings to you as well, :O)