No excuses: Redskins need a new nickname....

[AKPantherFan]

No excuses: Redskins need a new nickname

By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports

9 hours, 43 minutes ago

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Last Friday, in a judicial decision that hinged on a legal technicality, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., upheld the right of the local pro football team to keep its unconscionable nickname.

Gloated team attorney Bob Raskopf, “It’s a great day for the Redskins and their fans and their owner, Dan Snyder.”

Alas, it was another shameful day for America.

Redskins helmet.

(Stephen J. Boitano/AP Photo)

In clinging to the most racially offensive moniker held by a major U.S. professional sports team since the Emancipation Proclamation – yes, I know, since forever – the franchise continues to offend some Native Americans and assault the sensibilities of a citizenry that should be long past such insensitive and shallow depictions.

How can a large majority of us not be offended? Imagine trying to explain “Redskins” to a foreign visitor or a time-traveler from the future? Every time I say the word, I throw up in my mouth a little and wonder why there is no widespread outrage.

I’ve heard all the arguments about why this name should be allowed to exist, and they move me about as much as Jim Zorn’s red-zone offense in a tight game against a strong opponent. (Sorry – I realize that was a cheap shot. Besides, I wouldn’t want to get ‘Skins fans ticked off at me or anything.)

You can spare me the protestations about how the name is actually a tribute to Native Americans, or how other allegedly similar groups (Vikings? Really?) are also consigned to mascot status. You can skip the talk about the importance of the team name to its fans or the tradition that would be compromised were it to be changed.

I’m not hearing it, because if I close my eyes and think about where we are as a society and the fact that this name still exists, it’s a complete travesty on both visceral and logical levels.

Would we “honor,” say, Chicago’s African-American population by calling its NFL team the Brownskins?

If the NBA placed a franchise in Hawaii, would it consider paying homage to the islands’ Asian influences by competing as the Yellowskins?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AsdaJ9cqpyuREUiu2bVfdQdDubYF?slug=ms-trippintuesday051909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I think this guy is an idiot.

Only people who hear redskins and think racial are idots.

What do we call them then? The Washington Indians?

The Redskins have been a part of football history, and IMO the name (not nickname) is a big part of that history.

I dont know, what do you guys think.

I think the writer is off his knocker. Hell, my great grandpa was cherokee indian, and as proud of that as I am, the "Redskins" were my favorite team growing up.

I dont know, when you go looking for a snake you find one. That sounds like what this guy is doing.

Kinda like the people who look for cusswords in cartoon movie clouds

[PanthersFanNY]

I don't personally care, but then again, I'm only about 4% Native American.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redskin

[Darth Biscuit]

Not because of this article, but just in general, Silver is an idiot, I've never liked him... having said that, I can see where people could find the name offensive.

I don't think that you can compare the "Redskins" to the Florida State Seminoles, or the Cleveland Indians... so yeah, it should probably be changed.

It doesn't particularly bother me, but I'm not an Indian... if there was a team called the "Whiteskins" it wouldn't bother me, but I'm not easily offended anyway...

[AKPantherFan]

imo this is something like having a team called the "DC African Americans"

the Name Redskins was given in 1937 to honor the coach (so its said) because his wife was souix.

Nowdays the name "african american" is used without bias and is common.

Now whats to say in 80 years black americans (after many generations who lived closer to the ages of slavery pass on) decide that they want to be called Black Americans and find the term "African American" offensive.

Should the so called "DC African Americans" team change their name to the DC Black Americans, when their original name was supported by the population at the time?

(of course this is just an example, dont get your panties in a wad)

Its all perspective.

I dont have a right answer for the situation, but I see both sides of the issue.

HOWEVER, I think the term Redskin is not used in a negative way with the team, nor does it imply so.

No one thinks of the washington redskins as a bad thing, if anything I think they should be proud of it.

They sure as hell have a big ass fanbase, and dont have a problem selling jerseys.

if it was such a unacceptable thing why did they choose the name in the 1st place? Evidently people must have seen strength in the name.

[AKPantherFan]

and since this thread has to do with race I am sure people will not touch it with a 10ft pole.

thats the problem with our nation. People are affraid to talk about the sensitive parts of our life.

iF YOU talk about it and get it all out in the open then the problem goes away, or at least we understand each other better.

[Delhommey]

Since DC had so much to do with the strife of Native Americans throughout history I think it's a wonderful name.

Kinda like if we had soccer teams named the Berlin Kikes, the London Micks, or the Beijing Dali Lamas.

[AKPantherFan]

Since DC had so much to do with the strife of Native Americans throughout history I think it's a wonderful name.

Kinda like if we had soccer teams named the Berlin Kikes, the London Micks, or the Beijing Dali Lamas.

I dont know what DC had to do with the "strife" of indians, but the point is that this has been a non issue for almost 70 years....

[AKPantherFan]

Every time I say the word, I throw up in my mouth a little and wonder why there is no widespread outrage.

^^^^^ thats a little overboard dont ya think?

[Delhommey]

They were thinking about calling the playoffs in Japanese baseball the "Batan Death March" but why name something so important after a bunch of surrender monkies that can't keep up?

I personally just wish Washington would come out with their own version of Terrible Towels but call them Small Pox Blankets.

[Jangler]

I am a solutions orentiated kind of guy, change the logo to a peanut.

[AKPantherFan]

They were thinking about calling the playoffs in Japanese baseball the "Batan Death March" but why name something so important after a bunch of surrender monkies that can't keep up?

I personally just wish Washington would come out with their own version of Terrible Towels but call them Small Pox Blankets.

wow--

good to see objectivity lives in your brain....

[AKPantherFan]

They were thinking about calling the playoffs in Japanese baseball the "Batan Death March" but why name something so important after a bunch of surrender monkies that can't keep up?

I personally just wish Washington would come out with their own version of Terrible Towels but call them Small Pox Blankets.

So in your mind the fact that their name is the Redskins, you feel that is a straight correlation to the persecution the Indians received from White men like me and you, and that subtle comparison awakens deep down conviction that you have sheltered for the deaths of thousands in the survival of your own race?

I see the Redskins as one of the oldest football franchises in NFL history and one that everyone can be proud of. I think its an honor that relives the strength of the native nations who lived in honor with dignity and pride for who they were and what they believed in..

Did I mention my great Grandpas favorite team being the Redskins?

Guess not.

But considering he was a Cherokee who fought through 2 tours in WWII and a tour in korea then returned home and rooted for them cant mean much huh???? :idea:

Funny, and indian who supported a team who represented his people....

[Jangler]

Did the sarcasm get past you AK?

[AKPantherFan]

Did the sarcasm get past you AK?

sorry man, with as many folks who "take shots" at me here all the time, it gets hard to tell....

Its good to see that you can see through the bullpoo that guy is trying to spread...