The Washington Redskins are the beloved football team of my former hometown
Washington DC, so I know more than a few people who are going to be pissed at me for even bringing it up, but should the Washington Redskins change their name?
I think the reasons they should change their name are obvious. It's the most racist team name in American sports,
while the most offensive logo still belongs to the
Cleveland Indians.
Now, I'm not some one who is easily offended. I don't call places to complain because of "off-color" remarks. In fact, I enjoy so-called off-color remarks quite often. But even I see the problem here. It's pretty clear cut. If there was a team named for any other ethnic or racial slur there would be outrage and protests.
Still, part of me has a gut reaction against changing the name of the team. As a sports fan, I would hate if any team I rooted for had to change their name. And that boils up in me every time I think about them changing their name.
They're also a classic team in the
NFL. They've just always been around.
Not to mention, would we be opening
pandora's box? Would people with
gigantism suddenly object to the
NY Giants and
SF Giants?
I know these aren't logical points. Gut feelings are no basis for a decision. Just because we've done something is no reason to keep doing it, especially if we're doing something wrong.. And just because something tangentially related that you object to might possibly happen down the line is no reason to object to something. That would be arguing the merits of something real on something imaginary.
So I know, it's not logical. But I can't help not wanting to change the name. DC just went through this a few years ago when the
Bullets were unfairly forced to change their name to the
Wizards.
Wizards is a really lame name. What would they change the Redskins to? How do you avoid a lame name?
I know the Redskins as a team name is racist and wrong, yet I'm still conflicted.
Should sports teams with racist images or team names change their names?
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Comments (20)
I've always thought redskins wdas an offensive name. i know they probably mean no harm, but it sounds awful. the only reason the name stays is bc there aren't enough offended native americans to protest (mainly cause of ol genoicide). "indian" isn't really as bad, it's a term that seems extremely ignorant given our knowledge that columbus didn't end up in India.
btw, plenty of team names have changed: houston oilers, baltimore colts, l.a. rams to name a couple.
This has been a topic for many years. Personally, I have no objection to the mascot they have now. Although, the Cleveland Indians should be the Cleveland "Native Americans." But you know, not many people have time to be politically correct.
Now, if it was something like the "L.A. Chinks" or the Harlem N******, then yes, the name has to be changed. But you know, people are more rational about these kind of things and wouldn't name a team such an offensive name or mascot.
@figachewy@xanga - I know most of the teams were renamed because they got relocated. Not really sure for the Houston Oilers though. Hmmmm....
@laytexduckie@xanga -
I agree with you on it.i went to a high school with an Apache as the mascot. i personally was proud to be an Apache. some Native Americans were offended and others were indifferent. i think that if it's not meant to be offensive and it's been accepted for so long, just to leave it as is.
Some should change their names, but the Cleveland Indians might change their losing streak if they called themselves the Cleveland Casanovas, or something. Racial slurs especially toward Native Americans are all to easily poo pooed. Well, it is not for the person that is being taken advantage of, it is for our own Honor to treat others as we would like to be treated. That goes for a multitude of slights and abuses. "The Golden Rule" is still the one to go to if all else fails to render a just decision.
"Do unto others as You would have them do unto You." Jesus was wiser than we give Him credit for, but then what do you expect from the Creator of the Universe?
you ever see how ppl in ATL at Braves game tomahawking every game as if they were "indians"?
oh and they don't complain when teams like Indians or Redskins start to win games and such.
Eh. Sure the name sounds a little racist but I think as long as people see that they aren't trying to spread a bad image, just play baseball, it should be fine.
@laytexduckie@xanga - The Houston Oilers changed their name when they moved to Tennessee and became the Titans. Then a few years later the Houston Texans started up as an expansion team.
Are you serious? The Washington Redskins as the most offensive and racist? psht. go to an Atlanta Braves game, singing the stereotypical Indian song and tomahawking their opponents with foam hatchets at the game. Redskins more offensive than that? I think not. Yes their name may be offensive but at the same time they don't seem to be as bad as the Braves to me.
This is the shit that makes America weak. "We have to change a name cuz it's offensive". Fuck that! Grow some balls and live with it. It's not like they are calling them the Coons, or the Spics. If you call a indian a indian it's not like they get upset. (well some might but none that I have talked to). Are we coming to a time when it's gonna be racist to call white people who act black "wiggers"?
I don't know about that..
But my high school had to change their mascot because it was offensive a few years ago. It was a Native American person... I didn't really understand what the huge deal was though...
Keep the damned names! I'm so fucking tired of people assuming that there is insult surrounded these names!!
If it were really a problem, the names would have been changed a long time ago.
It's a sport's team, not a strip club or a porno.
Come to think of it, that's just a niche market--don't hate.
I'm sorry but I do not see anything racist about their name. I am part Native American and my whole family are married into Native Americans. Maybe I just don't get it, or maybe I'm not walking around with a chip on my shoulder. Maybe my skin is thicker than normal. This being "offended thing" is becoming so ludicrous and juvenile. It does not bother me what names are given to places, things, or teams. What gets under my skin is how I am treated each day by those I bump elbows with. The "Oh they are offended by that name" game becomes so shallow, hollow, and empty next to that.
I've never taken racism as something negative, It's just preference. As long as It doesn't become violent..then there's really no problem.
I don't view this as racism but as a compliment. They chose that symbol to show their pride and team. If their isn't an outcry, then don't complain.
I'm only 1/8 Native American (Cheyenne), but I'm 0% offended by those sports monickers and logos. If the powers that be DO decide to force the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians into a change of mascot, we'd better make sure Minnesota Vikings and Boston Celtics follow suit, for their names and logos are no less representative of an ethnic group, and no less offensive.
To be safe, so as not to offend anyone whose ancestors were pirates, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to rethink their image. We can even take it a step further, with teams like San Francisco 49ers, Texas Rangers, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and a host of others whose nicknames refer to a group of people, thereby trivializing and marginalizing them.
While we're at it, we'd better come up with a new name for Cleveland Browns, because that sounds pretty racist, too.
who really cares?!! only a choice few who are outspoken.
you can never please everyone..if you change one team's name, you leave the basis for these selected few to want a bunch of other teams' names changed..it opens up a can of worms. pointless. i'm SO sick of everyone trying to be overly PC all the time. ridiculous!
depends on the name and also the motivation behind somebody asking them to change it. some people only throw a fit about it so they can get money
I disagree that its "okay" to have "redskins" as a mascot!! ITS OFFENSIVE!! How ignorant must they be to let something like this slide and to label us native americans as "redskinned"! Its the ignorant white man who came up with this mascot that is the one who's skin turns red! How about be smart and come up with a name thats not so offensive. It's not that we mind having a team named after our people but its that NAME! After everything the white men has put us through and everythings thats been takin from us we deserve more RESPECT than that!