Washington Redskins to Change Name

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

So the Washington Redskins are to retire their name and logo, which they've had since 1933. So what to think of this? Is it the long overdue correction of an offensive name, or just the latest noise of today's cancel-culture?

The Redskins franchise has a long history celebrating, they claim, the Native American motif. The controversy isn't new however, the clamour to change it, from many sectors including the Native American community, has been going on since the 90s.

https://png.pngitem.com/pimgs/s/212-2129862_washington-redskins-logo-clipart-hd-png-download.png

And fair enough. There's plenty of evidence to suggest the name IS upsetting to Native Americans. I guess where I'm having pause for thought is: why? Is it because the name is overtly offensive, or have they been convinced that it is offensive? 'Redskin' wasn't originally a pejorative term, even to them, it's only in more recent times that it gathered its negative slant.

What of other teams in a similar position? Kansas City Chiefs? Atlanta Braves? Cleveland Indians? They have a Native American theme too. But...they are different in my book. Redskins is considered derogatory, I think, solely because it references skin colour.

But all are meant to be warrior emblems. Sports teams 'borrow' them all the time to big themselves up, to convey the idea of power and strength. Minnesota Vikings is the same.

Perhaps its hard for some Redskins fans to see that negative slant in their name, as it's 'institutionalized' in their minds by 90 years of football history. Yet I very much doubt any one of them would ever call a Native American 'a redskin' to his or her face!

I definitely see that argument, but I still think there's more going on here, something deeper than 'the name is racist'. If it's racist now, it was racist last year, and 20 years ago, and 50. I'm not alarmed that the Redskins have decided to change it - I'm in favour of that. But I am somewhat alarmed by the brute force nature that persuaded it. It doesn't stem from a shift in social conscience (the fans didn't call for this, and certainly the owners didn't), it comes purely from the politically correct cancel-culture lobby, and that is alarming. Who is deciding who or what they target? Are they motivated more by goodness, or more by hate? Where does this 'power' begin or end?

I would be curious to know what would happen if owner Daniel Snyder decided to rename the franchise "Washington Natives". With the Native American motif retained, but any mention of skin colour banished, would it then not be racist anymore? Or would just a new twitter storm begin?

----

Hopefully no one will be triggered by this post and fly off the handle. This is not about racism per se, more about what's in a name. I'm simply airing thoughts and asking questions.

[Arak]

Not sure if I am allowed to comment as not native nor fan of (any) team... but my 5 cents are that if it offends, why not to change? It’s just a name for team. :)

[Bill Ryan]

Not sure if I am allowed to comment as not native nor fan of (any) team... but my 5 cents are that if it offends, why not to change? It’s just a name for team. :)I can understand all sides here. I think the real issue may be that almost anything can be claimed to be "offensive".

It depends who's complaining, how loudly, and why.

So that means that (in this case) a precedent is set for others to complain about practically anything at all. The following isn't quite the same thing, of course, but it could one day be stretched to be.

Seattle, the city, is named after Chief Seattle. Maybe some extremists might complain about that, feeling it's dishonoring his name, rather than honoring it.

Does that mean the city's name has to be changed?

And here's a list of US city names containing (or implying) "whiteness": Should all these be changed, too, to make sure no-one's offended? (Note: there are just as many city names (https://www.sensationalcolor.com/cities-with-color-names/) containing the term "black", and also "brown".)


Alabaster, Alabama
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bird, Idaho
White Bluff town, Tennessee
White City, Kansas
White City, Oregon
White Cloud, Kansas
White Cloud, Michigan
White Earth, North Dakota
White Hall, Arkansas
White Hall, Illinois
White House, Tennessee
White Lake, South Dakota
White Mountain, Alaska
White Oak, Texas
White Plains, Georgia
White Plains, Kentucky
White Plains, New York
White River, South Dakota
White Salmon, Washington
White Settlement, Texas
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
White, Georgia
Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Whitehall, Michigan
Whitehall, Montana
Whitehall, Ohio
Whitehall, Wisconsin
Whitehouse, New Jersey
Whitehouse, Ohio
Whitehouse, Texas
Whites Horse Beach, Massachusetts
Whitesboro, Alabama
Whitesboro, New Jersey
Whitesboro, New York
Whitesboro, Texas
Whitesburg, Georgia
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Whitesburg, Tennessee
Whitesville, Kentucky
Whitesville, Louisiana
Whiteville, North Carolina
Whitesville, Virginia
Whitewater, Kansas
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Whitewood, South Dakota

Maybe the White House should have its name changed, as well?

[Gracy]

It seems the term "redskin", has a darker history than most other Indian named sports teams and cities. Of course we would have to ask those pushing so long for this to happen their reasoning, but many people think this newspaper ad from 1863 offering $200 for every Indian scalp is the origin of the term:


The State reward for dead Indians has been increased to $200 for every red-skin sent to Purgatory. This sum is more than the dead bodies of all the Indians east of the Red River are worth.
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a29318/redskin-name-update/

If this is indeed the case then it's a big difference from naming a city after Chief Seattle, for instance.

[Bluegreen]

About half the States get their names from Native America as well as many cities all over, maybe yours

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_place_names_of_Native_American_origin_in_the_United_States

[Kryztian]

I am not for sanitizing all the political incorrectness out of our culture, but yeah, I am glad the "Redskin" name is gone. I really would not be too happy if my race, my heritage, my bloodline, was made into the mascot for some large corporate entity that had nothing to do with it, especially but such a pejorative term. Mascots are often animals or some class of historical or fictional people (e.g. 49ers, Saints, Buccaneers). "Red Skins" is the only name to a real class of living breathing people, Native Americans, who would not want to be known by that name.

Bill, that long list of cities you city, from Alabaster to Whitewood, have nothing to do with "White" ethnicty or skin color and let me guess that all of them were named by Caucasians. There's nothing to that that diminishes the dignity of us Caucasians there, nor do African Americans have any problem with "Blacksburg, Virginia." The history of the word "Redskin" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redskin#Pejoration), however, is a lot like the history of the N-word.

[pyrangello]

Many Many names here in Michigan are named after tribal chiefs , Yeah lets erase everything then the academic crowd teaching in school to kids can promote only their agenda as there will be nothing left as a reminder of where we have been or who was here. Right wrong or indifferent.

[Kryztian]

About half the States get their names from Native America as well as many cities all over, maybe yours


Quite true. We named places to honor the people whose land we stole ;). However "Redskin" was never a Native American word. It was a word used to put down those people.

[gs_powered]

Maybe the White House should have its name changed, as well?

I reckon that would be game over... :eek:

[Bill Ryan]

Bill, that long list of cities you city, from Alabaster to Whitewood, have nothing to do with "White" ethnicty or skin color and let me guess that all of them were named by Caucasians.Yes, of course. :highfive: But that might not stop some extremists from wanting to eradicate any "white" names from anywhere at all. Many of them seem to know or care little about actual history.

And I completely understand about the history of the term "Redskins". But we're on a slippery slope here, that might look a little like this:

http://projectavalon.net/slippery_slope.gif

There's an African country called Niger (as well as Nigeria, much better known). They're both named after the Niger River.

Many might assume that means "black" (as in negro), but it seems the origins of the word (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niger_River#Etymology) are different. (Not that many would care!)

My question really was: where does this stop?

[Satori]

Historically, Spain is one of the most genocidal nations on Spaceship Earth, yet many cities are named after historical Spanish figures. The city where I live is named after the Spanish Duke of Alburquerque. (As in Alburquerque Spain.) The first “r” in the word was dropped long ago. (Spell check was not happy with me trying to spell the city with the extra r.)

The atrocities committed in the name of the Spanish crown in New Mexico against the natives here is well documented. But, no one is calling for tearing down Spanish monuments in New Mexico or for Albuquerque to change its name. At least, not yet.

[Sarah Rainsong]

There is a reason that there is a logical fallacy called "slippery slope".

We have sports teams named after groups of people ( Cowboys and Fighting Irish come to mind) but those are also generally considered if not venerable, at least acceptable by those to whom it's referring.

The Native Americans are historically the most oppressed peoples in America, so I think it's about time we started to acknowledge the damage done to them, and renaming a sports team is barely a start, but at least it's something.

[Luke Holiday]

Personally, I believe the only opinions on this subject that are relevant are those offered by Native Americans.

Once their is an established consensus amongst the Native American nations on this topic - it should be followed.

Just to be clear - I do hope we all see this as another strategic step in moving along an elitist culture altering agenda. Remember, the only reason Mr. Snyder has agreed to the name change this time is loss of merchandising revenue from Amazon/Walmart who refused to carry any products with the Redskins logo.


https://www.foxnews.com/sports/navajo-nation-releases-statement-washington-redskins-retire-team-name-logo.

I would like to share my experience on this issue which runs counter to the above Navajo leaders statements:

For the past 20 years I have worked as a contractor in Central/ Northwest Arizona which is home to Hopi, Navajo, and Apache nations. During that time I have had the distinct pleasure of establishing relationships with many Native Americans.

6 or 7 years ago the MSM was promoting this same issue and I did an informal survey of maybe 30-40 Navajo/Hopi/Apache patients/co-workers - the overwhelming response I received was one of absolute apathy/disinterest - they simply could care less.

Interestingly, roughly 25% of the males were interested in the topic and were adamently against the name changes - stating that the use of the names Redskins/Braves/Chiefs was perceived as honoring their ancestors by perpetually keeping their names culturally relevant and alive.




Blessings Luke

[Arak]

Not sure if I am allowed to comment as not native nor fan of (any) team... but my 5 cents are that if it offends, why not to change? It’s just a name for team. :)I can understand all sides here. I think the real issue may be that almost anything can be claimed to be "offensive".

It depends who's complaining, how loudly, and why.

So that means that (in this case) a precedent is set for others to complain about practically anything at all. The following isn't quite the same thing, of course, but it could one day be stretched to be.

...
Maybe the White House should have its name changed, as well?
Yes, I understand this too. But there are descriptive names and then there are offensive names. Even for me Redskins sounds very racistic, a bit the same as ”the n word” that I think no sane person suggests to be used these days. I also do think that our language guides our thoughts - a bit by bit - and well... do the math.

Anyways, there are a lot of things to fix what people have done in history. Especially in USA, but also here in Europe yes. The work to be done should not prevent doing the right things now and in the future.

Luckily I am not the one to draw lines what is right or wrong - as that is very hard and extreamly subjective.

[Bluegreen]

Then there is the defending champs Kansas City Chiefs. Their fans celebrate touchdowns with the "Tomahawk Chop".


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Patrick_Mahomes_II.JPG/220px-Patrick_Mahomes_II.JPG http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Monchousia_by_Charles_Bird_King%2C_1822.jpg/170px-Monchousia_by_Charles_Bird_King%2C_1822.jpg

Kansa


The Miami Dolphins

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Little_Turtle.jpg/200px-Little_Turtle.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Miamidolphins_uniforms13.png/200px-Miamidolphins_uniforms13.png

Miami


The Minnesota Vikings

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Joseph_T._Keiley_Zitkala-Sa.jpg/220px-Joseph_T._Keiley_Zitkala-Sa.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/BFAVREVIKE.jpg/220px-BFAVREVIKE.jpg

Dakota


One of the oldest teams in the league (1898), the Arizona Cardinals


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Luzi_-_Papago.jpg/170px-Luzi_-_Papago.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Morgan_athletic_club_team.jpg/220px-Morgan_athletic_club_team.jpg

Tohono O'odham

[Bluegreen]

Which brings us to the Tennessee Titans. Ironically enough, they started life as the Houston Oilers, named for Sam Houston, who supervised the removal of the Cherokee people from their native land.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Sequoyah.jpg/170px-Sequoyah.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Tennessee_titans_unif.png/250px-Tennessee_titans_unif.png

Tan'sei was the name of a Cherokee village.

[Kryztian]

And I completely understand about the history of the term "Redskins". But we're on a slippery slope here, that might look a little like this:

http://projectavalon.net/slippery_slope.gif


The "slippery slope" theory has been used to argue against a lot of good ideas. "If you are going to do x, then that would be the prelude to doing x2, and then x3, and then we will have x to the nth degree and it will be anarchy!!!" (or totalitarianism.) I am not sure that where, historically, this theory has ever proven true. In fact it works the other way - if a real problem isn't addressed, it only gets worse, and the reaction against it only gets more extreme.

[Gracy]

Which brings us to the Tennessee Titans. Ironically enough, they started life as the Houston Oilers, named for Sam Houston, who supervised the removal of the Cherokee people from their native land.

Sam Houston? Are you sure you don’t mean Andrew Jackson?

[Bluegreen]

Then there was one famous employer of Indians


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Cody-Buffalo-Bill-LOC.jpg/220px-Cody-Buffalo-Bill-LOC.jpg. . http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Buffalo_bills_unif17.png/250px-Buffalo_bills_unif17.png


And another famous Indian removal supervisor


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Andrew_Jackson%2C_by_Ralph_Eleaser_Whiteside_Earl%2C_c._1788_-_1838.jpg/220px-Andrew_Jackson%2C_by_Ralph_Eleaser_Whiteside_Earl%2C_c._1788_-_1838.jpg. . http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Jacksonville_jaguars_unif.png/250px-Jacksonville_jaguars_unif.png

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

My question really was: where does this stop?

I'm not sure it does stop. There's a big problem here. And it isn't as straightforward as obvious racism or obvious bigotry. Something clearly offensive or upsetting I understand, we can all recognise that and get behind it -- the problem lies with those who claim offence on someone else's behalf.

That's not generally a problem in theory. We all have to look out for each other. But when it's mob activism that's appointed itself judge, jury, and executioner, or the virtue signalling twitterati crowd only interested in gaining retweets or whatever it is, then it becomes a problem. Right now that problem is a driverless 18 wheeler tearing through the public consciousness. And everything and anything is in the firing line: words, names, places, products, even a simple dirty joke.

Again I'm not saying Redskins isn't racist, I support the name change. But how many campaigned for it for the right reasons? And if those reasons are right today, now, for tens of thousands of outraged people, where were they yesterday and for the last 87 years?

[Bluegreen]

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Coeehajo.jpg/170px-Coeehajo.jpg. . https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/NFCS-Uniform-TB.png/250px-NFCS-Uniform-TB.png

Calusa


The Seattle Seahawks

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Chief_seattle.jpg/220px-Chief_seattle.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Marshawn_Lynch_2011.jpg/200px-Marshawn_Lynch_2011.jpg

Suquamish


The Chicago Bears

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Kaskaskia_Illinois.jpg/220px-Kaskaskia_Illinois.jpg. . http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Ch_bears_uniforms.png/250px-Ch_bears_uniforms.png

Illinois


The Denver Broncos

In another irony, a number of teams are named for other famed Indian removal supervisors, such as Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1857) Gen James Denver.


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/James_W_Denver_by_Whitehurst_Studio_c1856.jpg/220px-James_W_Denver_by_Whitehurst_Studio_c1856.jpg. . http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Broncos_uniforms.png/275px-Broncos_uniforms.png



And don't think about it too hard, or Indianapolis eventually becomes a cruel and existential joke.

[Bluegreen]

http://www.ktsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/GettyImages-602420038-640x400.jpg

All eyes on Kansas City

[O Donna]

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2462864490_10.jpg

Adding levity to an otherwise world of conundrums and oddities.

https://i.imgur.com/fmDZycH.jpg

(I'm waiting for like 2035 when they change it back for 'nostalgia' purposes)

[AutumnW]

"Redskin" is like n****r. "Braves" is not a derogatory term.

[Bluegreen]

So is "Indians" OK? What about "Miami"? Is that OK? There were many "Braves" among the "Miami", and none of them were "Indians", likely having never even heard of the place. If the "Washington" franchise named themselves after a local tribe, or maybe even some tribe that came along and bought "naming rights" (stranger things have happened), would that be OK? And if so, would they be able to keep their colors and logos etc the same?

And if not, is "Miami" still OK?? :confused:

[Sarah Rainsong]

Native American lawmaker: 'Redskins' name change 'should have been made a long time ago' (https://thehill.com/homenews/house/507054-native-american-lawmaker-redskins-name-change-should-have-been-made-a-long)


“It’s wrong for a national football team to perpetuate racist attitudes, but for decades the Washington NFL team refused to recognize the role their name plays in projecting racist stereotypes about Native Americans even after multiple protests and requests," said Haaland, who along with Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) became one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018.

Although Native American groups and civil rights activists had long pushed for the name change for the Washington team, which was the last to racially integrate in the league, it wasn't until this summer when a name change was publicly considered by the ownership.

There is a big difference between a placed named in honor or simply the memory of something/someone, and something being named a derogatory term. "Redskins" is a derogatory term. It is not the name of a person or tribe or anything respectable. It is a racial slur like many others which decent people do NOT use. The only reason it's still in use is because of A) money, and B) because historically, the US has had a really hard time treating Native Americans with any kind of decency.

[Bluegreen]

What about this, is this OK?
Or is this not OK?

--

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Redskins_uniforms19.png/200px-Redskins_uniforms19.png

. .Washington Powhatans


http://i.pinimg.com/originals/32/ef/1d/32ef1d9c1eff366180ce447c2281d663.jpg

. . . . . . .Washington Cherokee

--

Oh it all gets so confusing ...


. .http://cdn.britannica.com/s:500x350/95/4995-004-45F5BF39/George-Washington-oil-painting-Gilbert-Stuart-White-1796.jpg

Indian removal supervisor G Washington

[Orph]

Ahhhhhhhh, Bluegreen. If there is a big enough group of people complaining that something is racist, then at least it has to be taken into consideration to see if maybe a name change is needed. Personally, if I owned the team from Washington DC, I would've changed the name a long time ago. But that's just me.

I doubt the name "Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame will get changed anytime soon because nobody's complaining about it. ....... Yet. Right now, the fight is on for the "Runnin' Rebels" of University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) to change their mascot and image. Like I said, if people are complaining, things get changed.

You are throwing in the names of towns to the mix. Nobody's complaining about those. ....... Yet. Half the towns in the mid-west have native American names. Half the towns in the southwest have Mexican/Spanish names. Again, nobody's complaining. ...... Yet. Anyway, I think you are going juuuuuust a wee bit over-the-top with your comparisons here. It's not quite as bad as it may seem. :P

[Bluegreen]

Ahhh ... yes Orph thank you, you are right, I am going a bit over the top and making light but not really
As usual ... however ... as has been suggested ...
Where does it stop?

All I'm saying is a team's name is a team's name and that's what we're talking about and what the thread title and OP refer to and many sports fans refer to and think of their favorite team as oneword, one entity, the announcer and headlines hammer it every day is all I'm saying ...


. . . . . . . . . . .:couch2:
"And the (Name of Place) (Nickname) score again!"

[O Donna]

It's funny what becomes important in the media while the world burns. It's almost like there are those trying to distract us from something.

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/41161172/hmm-i-wonder-what-it-could-be.jpg?

https://i.chzbgr.com/full/3607347968/h99292AF7/people-are-rushing-to-aid-the-sinkhole-victims

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

"Redskin" is like n****r. "Braves" is not a derogatory term.

Only so far as today is concerned. Words are subjective, and only have the meanings we assign to them, and those meanings are always subject to change. I would never have thought the word 'queer' for a gay person would ever be anything but derogatory, but today, to some, it is not, and there are those who wear it as a badge of honour. And good for them. But I do agree that Redskins is an unpleasant term, a wrong term, and best left behind. We must remember however that once upon a time it wasn't offensive.

Consider this. When I was a kid, the word 'black' (in the UK) wasn't considered proper by well-meaning people. It was more impolite than racist, but still often used as a slur. Instead, the word 'coloured' was proper by the social norms of the time. Coloured was neutral and safe, as it didn't call attention to the actual colour. That was the thinking, so it was widely used and it sort of made sense. Then it flipped. Black became correct, and coloured incorrect. It was racist and rude to use that word, and soon it disappeared. I do see why, and no one would never use it now. But 'coloured' was once politesse as antidote to racism, then it itself became racist. And that's something I find interesting.

It suggests to me that there could be words in common use today, words judged quite harmless - like Braves, or Chiefs, that will eventually fall out of favour. In twenty years they might even be considered the height of impropriety. Thus my original point.

Yesterday the word 'sick' meant ill, or nasty, today it also means cool or excellent. Who knows what else it will mean tomorrow.

So what's in a name? With meanings constantly changing, and with them new perceptions, really not very much.

[Bluegreen]

Its kind of like "The Beatles", which I thought was the stupidest name for a band I had ever heard, but then after awhile, I didn't even think about it, and it became just a name, a word. Las Vegas says Redtails.


Online sportsbooks have the Redskins favored to change their name by only five letters — as Redtails is the betting favorite at 3/1. Those odds represent a 25 percent chance of occurring, with a $10 winning bet netting $30.

Redtails could be a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American military pilots who fought in WWII. However, the team has yet to comment on the rumored name, nor its linkage to the WWII fighters.

Sports Business Daily reports that the team has already selected its new name, but pending trademark issues are delaying the announcement. The franchise is expected to retain its burgundy and gold colors.

After Redtails, Generals has the next shortest odds at 4/1. Presidents follows at 5/1, Lincolns at 8/1, and Veterans at 8/1 rounds out the top five.

Other names with short odds include Capitols (9/1) and Americans, Memorials, and Monuments (10/1). One online book is also looking to capitalize on some easy money by offering Snowflakes and Trumps, each at 500/1.

https://www.casino.org/news/odds-released-on-washington-redskins-new-name-redtails-favored/

Moneygrubbers and Whores failed to make the list.

[O Donna]

https://news.unl.edu/sites/default/files/styles/large_aspect/public/mutual-insurance_0.jpg

Mutual of Omaha to remove Native American imagery from logo

[Luke Holiday]

"Redskin" is like n****r. "Braves" is not a derogatory term.

--- I don't think it is....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSjk-0sUu5A

https://youtu.be/X5alheUMLjA


Blessings Luke

[Bluegreen]

I didn't say anything about thinking a name was "stupid", did I? I didn't think so.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29524343/washington-nfl-team-use-washington-football-team-now-sources-say

--

I wonder if it has anything to do with this guy, whose hobby for the past several years has been buying the trademark on every alternate name for "Washington Redskins" he can think of.

https://www.espn.com/blog/washington/post/_/id/40181/washington-fans-hobby-could-result-in-trademark-tussle-with-nfl-team

--

In the past two weeks, 15 women have gone public with statements regarding a culture of sexual harassment in the Washington Football Team workplace.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29476727/report-15-women-allege-sexual-misconduct-former-washington-employees


This an organization with issues

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

What of other teams in a similar position? Kansas City Chiefs? Atlanta Braves? Cleveland Indians? They have a Native American theme too. But...they are different in my book. Redskins is considered derogatory, I think, solely because it references skin colour.


Oops well, there you go. One year on from the Washington name change the Cleveland Indians (a baseball team) follow suit.


Meet the Cleveland Guardians (https://www.mlb.com/news/cleveland-indians-change-name-to-guardians)

The team announced through a video posted to its Twitter account on Friday morning that it will be changing its name from the Cleveland Indians (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Indians) to the Cleveland Guardians. The name will go into effect following the conclusion of the 2021 season.


It seems, from what I've read and heard so far, that the majority of support for this name change has come from woke white liberal types claiming offence on behalf of Native Americans, rather than it coming from Native Americans themselves. In fact, the Cleveland Indians name was inspired by a Native American who played for the club way back in the 1900s or some such. I don't claim to know much about the history, I don't claim to know anything really about baseball either, but it appears we have another act of woke revisionism on our hands.

How do you define what is offensive? Where do you even end with this? For example, if we're talking Cleveland, will someone stand up at some point and declare the Cleveland Browns as offensive too? I do know something of that history being a NFL fan - they're named after their co-founder Paul Brown (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Brown). But origin and intent are irrelevant in the woke zombie brain. Brown is a skin colour after all, and to some that might be considered racist. Far-fetched? Who bloody knows anymore.

The craziest thing of all? In this Tom Hanks narrated promo for the new Cleveland Guardians he says (at 31secs) "there's always been Cleveland, the best part of our name". Damn, isn't that kinda insulting to Native Americans?

Sn-sAxQThf0

Up next Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs.

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Haha, love it!!

Native American Group Threatens National Boycott If Washington Football Team Doesn’t Change Name Back To ‘Redskins’

A Native American group has threatened a national boycott of the Washington Commanders unless the NFL team reverses course and changes its name back to the Washington Redskins.

The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) wrote on Twitter — now X — that the group, along with its Founder and President Eunice Davidson, have sent a letter to the “Washington ‘Commanders’ Ownership & Key Leadership Formally Requesting The Team Revitalize it’s Relationship With The American Indian Community & Rightfully Change Their Name Back to ‘The Redskins.'”

https://twitter.com/GuardiansNative/status/1688544490242359296?s=20

As the commenter below says, "one of the most based letters I've ever read!"

De0or00vr0E

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

Is the worm turning? A step in the right direction anyway.

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I doubt "Redskins" will make a return, or that we'll see the logo readopted as the team's official brand logo, but it is being 'un-canceled'. That means it will no longer be blurred in archive footage, or banned from official merchandise.

Washington Commanders Agree To Un-Cancel Redskins Logo

'The censorship of the former Commanders logo was a classic case of woke gone wrong,' the Montana Sen. wrote.
Washington Commanders managing partner Josh Harris and the NFL Commanders ownership group have agreed to un-cancel the Redskins (the iconic Blackfoot chief logo) history.

In a post on Facebook by Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines, the Congressman wrote that “The censorship of the former Commanders logo was a classic case of woke gone wrong. I applaud the Commanders & the NFL for their commitment to never censor the logo again.”

“And for working with the [Walter ‘Blackie’] Wetzel family to restore the logo to a place of prominence and honor to benefit Indian Country,” he added mentioning the “Native American artist who used Blackfoot chief John Two Guns White Calf as the inspiration for the logo the NFL team used for almost 50 years.”

In 2020, the team announced it was removing Redskins from its name and two years later announced the national professional football team would be called the Washington Commanders.

The name change came about from pressure from the cancel culture mob following the death of George Floyd and those who claimed that the term was racist and offensive to Native Americans.

More here (https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-commanders-agree-to-un-cancel-redskins-logo).