The Washington Redskins NFL team is coming under increased pressure to change its name.
Many Native American groups and persons of that ethnicity find the name to be offensive.
Now, according to Indian Country Today Media Network, ten members of Congress sent a letter last month to the owner of the Redskins -located in our nation’s capitol – “urging him to change the club’s name.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has come out in support of the Redskin’s name, writing in a letter this month that “The Washington Redskins name has thus from its origin represented a positive meaning distinct from any disparagement that could be viewed in some other context. For the team’s millions of fans and customers, who represent one of America’s most ethnically and geographically diverse fan bases, the name is a unifying force that stands for strength, courage, pride and respect.”
Do you believe the Washington Redskins should change their name?
Watch a video describing the controversy, here.
How about the Washington Injuns?
Yes, it is racist. It is a name that calls attention to a person’s skin color. I wouldn’t have a problem with it if they were called the Washington Chippewas or the Washington Sioux, but redskin is a derogatory word. Change it.
Sioux is also a derogatory term, albeit not in English. Washington Lakota would be a better choice.
I think they should just cut the teams down to one per state and just go by the state name. Oh and make any form of gambling on it illegal and reprehensible just as dog fighting.
@Anonymous-Well that would certainly kill the sport. A lot of people would lose their income’s and I am not talking just about football players. I consider most football players grossly overpaid as they are with most professional sports.
Poor American football? It’s not even an olympic sport.
This isn’t new. Native Americans have been trying to get this changed for a long time. I agree with the previous poster that Norwegians (to my knowledge) have never complained about the name Minnesota Vikings. Could that be because we have a sense of humor? Good grief, we laugh at “Ole & Lena” jokes. You betcha, we can take a joke. But we’ll dish it out, too!
Well if it wasn’t for the whole genocide thing I might agree with you. Since we have never invaded Norway and implemented a policy to systematically kill the Norwegian people after robbing them of their land and ability to meet their physical needs, I don’t believe you are making a valid comparison.
You’re right. The Vikings did this to OTHER people. That’s why we Norwegians love being compared to Vikings. They were such lovable, cuddly, & kind human beings. 🙂
This is just dumb and someone trying to get their 5 minutes of fame by being offended.
Next the Saints name will have to be changed because it offends atheist. People need to put their big boy panties on and live their life, instead of finding things to find offensive.
Redskin is a derogatory term for a people our nation attempted to exterminate. It’s a bit more than being offended.
Maybe they should just change their logo to a redskin potato. You have to admit it is kind of offensive to be called the redskins & have a Native American as their logo.
This is BULL SH**. They have been called the Redskins as long as I can remember. There is nothing racist about it at all. It is just the name of a pro football team.
So the length of time is the determining factor. Some people have been calling black people N*****S for hundreds of years. So with your line of thinking then that is OK. Again LVS your logic is mind numbing.
@Reggie (Red Lackey) you mind has been numb for a long time. You know absolutely nothing about different races other than you think they are beneath you and your God the Drunkmaster. You are so typical of the snobby elitist you are. You think you know about everything and you don’t. Now go to the Country Club where there are others of your kind.
What if I’m Norweigan and think “Vikings” is offensive? What if I’m an Irish Catholic and am offended by “Fighting Irish”? What if I’m a Christian and am offended by “Blue Devils” See where this could go? Shall we name them all after birds and fish? That might offend PETA. Btw – “Packers” is the dumbest name for a team ever! I’d be offended if I lived in Wisconsin.
Obviously the name is racist and needs to go.
no, no it doesnt need to go at all
Only a racist Packers fan would come up with that.
Everything you Libraterds don’t like you call racist. The ones that are really racist are you. If you were not constantly harping on it people just might forget color. It will never stop until you quit whining about it.