Few mascots and logos in American professional sports conjure up such controversy as the Washington Redskins. While some claim it represents the storied history of Native Americans, others consider it to be a racial slur and highly offensive.
The controversy has deep roots. While it's been a polarizing name for most of its history, opposition really started to heat up in 1992. Twenty-five years after the Redskins originally trademarked the brand, a group of Native Americans filed a lawsuit against the nickname. The case was later dismissed after the Supreme Court refused to take it up.
Years later, while the Redskins were attempting to build a new stadium inside the city, senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell introduced legislation that would have required the team to change its nickname before building such a structure in Washington. According to The Washington Post, then-owner Jack Kent Cooke, unwilling to comply, eventually moved the construction outside of the city. Throughout the Redskins' history, government, social groups and Native Americans have attempted to get the name changed. So far, no effort has been remotely close to successful.
The controversy reentered the public sphere last week when a symposium at the National Museum of the American Indian went on the attack against Native American mascots in professional sports. The Redskins, according to The Washington Post, were predictably one of the biggest targets. A month earlier, with the Redskins reemerging in the NFC playoffs, Washington mayor Vincent Gray suggested that a name change should be discussed if the Redskins want to move back into the city, according to The Post. "I think that if they get serious with the team coming back to Washington, there’s no doubt there’s going to have to be a discussion about that, and of course the team is going to have to work with us around that issue," Gray said.
Current fans already use the shortened "Skins" to describe the team, so officially changing it to the abbreviated version would be an easy and pain-free transition. More importantly, dropping "Red" would altogether eliminate the inherent racism from the team name—which is the goal here in the first place.
Other options would be to change the name to Washington Warriors and use a spear as the logo. Not much would have to change with the uniforms. Washington Braves is another option. The team was originally the Boston Braves and when they were moved to D.C. became the Washington Braves for a couple of years before becoming the Redskins.
While I like the name Redskins and the logo, I certainly don't want to offend anyone. I don't think that is anyone's intent today. However, I understand that the name can be offensive and I would be fine with a change as long as the spirit of the team remained intact. That is why I could go for the Washington Warriors. The Braves rides on tradition, but it doesn't offer a huge step forward in moving past the Native American problem "Redskins" presents now. While Redskin fans use the term Skins, I don't know how much I like that. Changing to something completely different would require completely different branding and I don't think the organization or fans would really like that. The Washington Warriors would be a pretty simple transition as the colors could remain the same. The name is pretty cool and can tie somewhat to the history of the Redskins but at the same time not really offend anyone.
Years later, while the Redskins were attempting to build a new stadium inside the city, senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell introduced legislation that would have required the team to change its nickname before building such a structure in Washington. According to The Washington Post, then-owner Jack Kent Cooke, unwilling to comply, eventually moved the construction outside of the city. Throughout the Redskins' history, government, social groups and Native Americans have attempted to get the name changed. So far, no effort has been remotely close to successful.
The controversy reentered the public sphere last week when a symposium at the National Museum of the American Indian went on the attack against Native American mascots in professional sports. The Redskins, according to The Washington Post, were predictably one of the biggest targets. A month earlier, with the Redskins reemerging in the NFC playoffs, Washington mayor Vincent Gray suggested that a name change should be discussed if the Redskins want to move back into the city, according to The Post. "I think that if they get serious with the team coming back to Washington, there’s no doubt there’s going to have to be a discussion about that, and of course the team is going to have to work with us around that issue," Gray said.
Current fans already use the shortened "Skins" to describe the team, so officially changing it to the abbreviated version would be an easy and pain-free transition. More importantly, dropping "Red" would altogether eliminate the inherent racism from the team name—which is the goal here in the first place.
Other options would be to change the name to Washington Warriors and use a spear as the logo. Not much would have to change with the uniforms. Washington Braves is another option. The team was originally the Boston Braves and when they were moved to D.C. became the Washington Braves for a couple of years before becoming the Redskins.
While I like the name Redskins and the logo, I certainly don't want to offend anyone. I don't think that is anyone's intent today. However, I understand that the name can be offensive and I would be fine with a change as long as the spirit of the team remained intact. That is why I could go for the Washington Warriors. The Braves rides on tradition, but it doesn't offer a huge step forward in moving past the Native American problem "Redskins" presents now. While Redskin fans use the term Skins, I don't know how much I like that. Changing to something completely different would require completely different branding and I don't think the organization or fans would really like that. The Washington Warriors would be a pretty simple transition as the colors could remain the same. The name is pretty cool and can tie somewhat to the history of the Redskins but at the same time not really offend anyone.
11 comments:
I'm glad you are coming around on this. Hopefully Danny Boy will do so also.
There is no reason to continue to use "Redskins." It is obviously a derogatory term and there are many, many people who find it offensive. I don't believe that there is any intent to offend - but it remains an offensive word.
I don't like your suggestion to go with "Skins" - because it still just shortens the offensive term. "Warriors" is OK, but I would go with something completely different. I saw someone's suggestion to call them the Washington Football Club or "DCFC" - kind of like what soccer teams do.
If they are going to change - really change it. Go with Washington Screaming Eagles or something even more radical. Embrace the change. Then, within 2-3 years, everyone will love the new name and say, "Why didn't we change it earlier?"
I read somewhere a while back that Danny Boy has already established legal rights to the name "Washington Warriors". This was done way back when he bought the team.
I agree that the transition to Warriors would be easy. The name "Redskins" has come to represent bravery and strength, so Warriors would maintain the same theme. Also, it would fit into the fight song, which is of huge importance to many Skins fans. Despite all this, I like Rob's suggestion to do something radically different. I haven't put much thought into this, so I don't have any suggestions at the time, but a dramatic shift to a really cool name would be a welcome change and could wash the team clean of it's recent history of mediocrity and it's longstanding insensitivity to an entire race.
I believe Danny Boy established the naming rights to the Warriors when he was going to bring an arena league team here to D.C.
Don't get me wrong. I like the name Redskins. I would prefer not changing it. I don't look at the name as a derogatory term. I look at it as a tribute. Hail to the Redskins cheer and song refer to their bravery and toughness. Still, I DO understand how it can be derogatory and how some native Americans can take it that way. I don't know how many of them genuinely want the name changed. If it was a significant number of people, I would be okay with a name change. It's not that I am hell bent on keeping it.
However, if they did change it, I would not be for an all out change where we changed colors and everything. The Redskins have a long and rich tradition and to make a sweeping radical change wouldn't go over well with many people including former players. It's kind of like erasing part of history.
That said, is the reason why I like Warriors because it maintains some of the culture of the Redskins but still removes any negative connotation towards native Americans. They could also keep the colors and use the spearhead as the logo which they have used previously. Not much has to change.
Choosing a brand new name, logo, and colors will bring about much discussion on what the new name should be. I am 100% sure that whatever new name, logo, and colors they chose would not be accepted by 100% of the people. What if they chose some weird name and mascot and colors? It would certainly affect the fan base.
I remember when the Bullets changed their name to Wizards. I thought it was stupid. I still think it isn't that great. The Washington Wizards. C'mon, MAN! The logo was some old looking cartoon wizard driving for a layup. Ridiculous. I at least like that they went back to the Bullet uniforms.
I don't know if the name will ever be changed. It's an interesting topic
Frankly, I just hope RG3 recovers well.
"Redskins" do not represent "bravery and strength," and it was never a "tribute." Like I said, I don't believe that anyone today means to offend, but by definition it is an offensive term.
If they do go with a radical change, I would probably keep the color scheme, but quite honestly, I don't see any reason why that should not change also. Shoot, from Danny Boy's perspective he could make a lot of money from selling all new gear - as well as "retro" gear from time to time.
They should name the team, the "Washington Snyderattos" Then they could put a picture of Dan Snyder on one side of their helmet and Vinnie Cerrato's picture on the other. That would be awesome!
Thats the whole point. Most redskin fans dont care that the team bears an offensive name because most redskin fans are not American Indians. The offensiveness is a non issue because it doesnt relate to them. Which is a dumb reason not to support a name change but thats generally the case. Id like to hear a real reason as to why this team should be called the redskins. Ive heard multiple Redskins fans say if you dont like the name stop cheering for them. Personally i dont care (again because it doesn't relate to me) if they change the name or not but i would side with avoiding to blatantly offend anyone on such a sensitive subject. Danny boy would earn lots of points by showing some compassion here and maybe the DC curse will be lifted.
Robs, the "Snyderattos" would be pretty funny. I would get a pretty good laugh if that happened.
JSR, of course we can't fully understand how it affects native Americans because we aren't native Americans. Look, I don't want to offend people on purpose. I am curious what percentage of native Americans are hurt by the name. I am not saying that if XX% of them feel bad should be the qualifier for changing the name. I am just curious. Again, the name is not meant to offend. That much we can all agree. In fact, the logo, the name, and the fight song are all meant to pay tribute and show the toughness and strength of native Americans. Just look at the words to Hail to the Redskins. They certainly are not meant to bring them down but show their strength. HOWEVER, I recognize that the word Redskins can be seen as offensive and while some native Americans probably don't care and some may actually like that it shows the strength of native Americans, there are some that find it offensive.
I'm sure there are native Americans upset with the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves and the Florida St. Seminoles. The Seminole fans have their battle cheer and a white dude dressed as an indian that spikes a flaming spear at midfield. I don't doubt that some native Americans find this offensive. The logo the Indians had (Chief something or other) was ridiculous looking.
For me, it's not that big of a deal. I like the Redskins but again, I am not affected by the name. If there is a big movement to change the name, then change it. There are other names that can be used to excite the fans. Frankly, there are bigger issues than just the name.
What complicates this issue is the fact that various Native American tribes and individuals actually take pride in the fact that a team associates bravery and strength with the Native American people. If I recall correctly, about 40% of Native Americans actually like the name. Sure, it's not a majority, but rarely do you ever find that people unanimously agree one way or another.
As long as the entire Native American population isn't up in arms, the team will not change its name because the intent is not to offend anyone with the name. It may not be PC, but the fact remains that the name is popular and the team is rich in tradition. Change will not come easily.
Part of the reason there is renewed "interest" in the name is that the Smithsonian held a seminar on the offensiveness of the name about 10 days ago.
Here is a link to an AP story about it.
There is a significant percentage of the Native American community that finds the term "Redskins" to be intolerable and highly offensive.
Here is what is going to happen - the name is going to change. It is not a matter of "if" but "when." Frankly, the Deadskins should embrace the change and get it done on their own terms.
Despite vocal and legal action from Native American groups and scholars, the majority of people surveyed on the subject do not find the name offensive. Following the 1992 Super Bowl protests, the Washington Post posted a survey in which "89 percent of those surveyed said that the name should stay." In a study performed by the National Annenberg Survey, Native Americans from the 48 continental U.S. states were asked "The professional football team in Washington calls itself the Washington Redskins. As a Native American, do you find that name offensive or does it not bother you?" In response, ninety percent replied that the name is acceptable, while nine percent said that it was offensive, and one percent would not answer.
In contrast to amateur teams governed by the NCAA or other organizations, which can level sanctions against member schools, the professional Washington Redskins franchise and nickname are subject only to the other clubs in the NFL and, presumably, approval or disapproval as expressed through ticket and merchandise receipts, or lack thereof, from the public. As there has apparently been no adverse market reaction, there has been little or no incentive to change the name.
There have been some tribes that have actually fought to keep the name Redskins as their name in schools as it promoted a sense of pride among their people.
Again, we all agree that the name is not intended to be hurtful. We can all agree that there is a percentage of native Americans that don't like the name.
That said, I am not sure there is a large enough group for the NFL, it's owners, or Dan Snyder to warrant the change. Again, there are native Americans that actually support the name. The Redskins make plenty of money on tickets and merchandise so there is no finanical incentive to make the change. Not sure it is ever going to change.
For me personally, I like the name Redskins. I look at the name as a tribute to native Americans and their strength and courage. I am also not a native American so the name doesn't particularly affect me. I would want to keep it but not at the expense of hurting people. If there was a large enough following to change the name, change it. I like the Warriors. Seems like you could keep the logo and colors and everything else but just change the name. Heck, call them the RG3s with a picture of RG3 on the helmet.
I just want RG3 to come back healthy and lead us to victory!
HTTR!!!
Like it or not, it is going to change.
There is a rising level of criticism. The fact that the Smithsonian is holding a session. The fact that the NCAA has already taken action. You have the Mayor of DC talking about it and former U.S. Senators. Add to that, the fact that virtually all of the DC columnists of note are now regularly writing about the need for change and it will happen.
The Deadskins put out some ludicrous information last week about dozens of high schools around the country use the "Redskins" name - as if that makes it OK. The thing they didn't say is that in the early 1970s there were about 500 schools that used "Redskins" or "Red Men" or something with "Red" in it that would be considered a slur. Now there are less than 100.
It would be better for Danny Boy to lead but he hasn't shown himself to be much of a leader.
The funny thing is that I actually expect RG3 or some high profile Deadskin to come out against the use of "Redskin" and then it will create even more pressure. We'll see what happens - but the times are changing.
The criticism pops up every few years starting in the early 90s when Jack Kent Cooke wanted to build a new stadium and US Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell introduced legislation that would have required Cooke to change the name of the Redskins before a stadium deal could be approved.
We'll see if the movement can generate more momentum but as of now, there is no chance the name will be changed.
Unless the Commissioner or the other owners or a major uprising from the fans take place, like it or not, the name will remain the same. There are too many people that support the name or don't care to make the change.
Some people are saying that RG3 should stand up and say something. He is free to do so and he is a bright guy and if he wanted to than good for him but I don't expect him to do that. He's a 23 year old kid that has enough on his plate and doesn't need to get into politics. If he chooses to than good for him but I don't expect that of him.
Again, I would be okay with a name change but right now it's not realistic that a change will take place. Not until the movement grows. Again, these movements have come and gone in the past and even now I don't think too many people care about this. If it grows than we'll see.
Robs, perhaps you can spearhead the movement. Now that the presidential election and the NFL season is over, it would give you something to focus on.
GOOD LUCK!
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