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I’m surprised it took this long, and the name change didn’t happen 20 years ago.
I just hope Washington DC goes with something related to the area. I hate when teams go with names like the Bears or Lions. There’s no bears and lions in Chicago and Detroit. So pass regarding the red wolf name.
I am indigenous and grew up on a reservation near the Four Corners. My honest opinion is that the team owners, players, and coaches had been using the name with reverence. Where it falls apart is the spectrum of fan behavior. Many fans were also respectful and saw the name with pride. The problem is that there were some fans who portrayed very negative stereotypes and behavior during games that mocked the indigenous people. Such fans would yell something racist like "Go Reds---s. Sc-lp the Cowboys" while wearing tribal regalia and redface paint. So, mathematically in terms of statistical demographics, there did exist a subset of fans that displayed pejorative, offensive behavior with slurs, stereotypes, etc. But the key word there is "subset". There were many fans who were completely in line with trying to be politically correct despite the name.
So that subset of fans on the negative spectral side of behavior ruined it for the team and the others who were not like that. It really came down to that badly-behaving subset of fans in my opinion. I don't think the team itself was disrespectful. Many of the players and staff were minorities: African American, Samoans, Hispanics, etc. I would suspect going back into the history of players that a few even had partial indigenous ancestry. They really did try to own up to the aspect of pride. But in the end it just didn't workout - especially in the current political climate.
Blame it on the "subset" of fans with bad behavior. The subtitle of this youtube video says it all.
Ironically, the history of genocide reveals that scalp bounty systems were used by European Colonists at times to kill off tribes. In Mexico, an adult male Apache scalp was worth 100 pesos, a female Apache scalp was worth 50 pesos, and an Apache child's scalp was 25 pesos. In modern times, these bounty systems imposed by the colonial governments is usually forgotten or ignored. The mainstream view is just blame the Indians for it - and the word was often used by fans during those Washington games.
Those Washington fans should read this historical excerpt from the University of Virginia nearby. The Scalp Industry
Your perspective follows the way I feel and I appreciate it coming from someone that is Native American. Having talked to several Indian acquaintances that I have over many years, it's what they feel as well. It's not really the name, but the actions of fans that are disrespectful.
I'm not Native American, but being from South Dakota I know many that are. If you want to talk about disrespectful, it's that damn tomahawk chop while the whole crowd does that horrendous chant. It pisses me off every time I hear it at an Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Chiefs, AND WORST OF ALL the Florida State Seminoles games. I will root for ANY team playing that disgusting team and it's fan base.
I like the KC Chiefs and hope that they don't buckle under to the PC crowd craziness going on. Besides, how is the title Chiefs disrespectful? Same with the titles Braves and Warriors. That to me are words that honor the Native American people. I say to KC fans and to the organization, stop with the chop and chant. With this "movement" going on, now is the time to get this stopped.
I will say that the title Redskins is suspect. Maybe it is time to change this one.
We once had a small private college in SD called the Huron Scalpers (I ain't kidding) which was without question to me, demeaning. The school changed it to the Huron Tribe later on before the whole school folded.
I’m surprised it took this long, and the name change didn’t happen 20 years ago.
I just hope Washington DC goes with something related to the area. I hate when teams go with names like the Bears or Lions. There’s no bears and lions in Chicago and Detroit. So pass regarding the red wolf name.
I agree. To match what Washington DC is really all about the name should be the Washington Swamp Creatures.
Would it be acceptable to name the Washington Football Club "Potomacs" in reference to the tribe that inhabited the area? Also changing the logo to an accurate depiction of a Potomac person?
I am indigenous and grew up on a reservation near the Four Corners. My honest opinion is that the team owners, players, and coaches had been using the name with reverence. Where it falls apart is the spectrum of fan behavior. Many fans were also respectful and saw the name with pride. The problem is that there were some fans who portrayed very negative stereotypes and behavior during games that mocked the indigenous people. Such fans would yell something racist like "Go Reds---s. Sc-lp the Cowboys" while wearing tribal regalia and redface paint. So, mathematically in terms of statistical demographics, there did exist a subset of fans that displayed pejorative, offensive behavior with slurs, stereotypes, etc. But the key word there is "subset". There were many fans who were completely in line with trying to be politically correct despite the name.
Would it be acceptable to name the Washington Football Club "Potomacs" in reference to the tribe that inhabited the area? Also changing the logo to an accurate depiction of a Potomac person?
In our "easily offended" life we're now stuck with I say get as far away from any nickname that has people in it. My god, could you even imagine the movie classic Blazing Saddles being made now? Mel Brook's house would be burnt down and he would need armed body guards to go anywhere. All the "woke" Hollywood crowd would have also had him permanently blackballed.
Change it to whatever they please. Even give me tickets. I wont watch. I gave up on them decades ago. Washington Losers in my book. They havent disappointed there.
This is so hard for me: I have been a Redskins fan since I don't know when but before we even moved to DC in 1981 If I still had a Redskins flag I would fly it today and from now on probably but now I have to wonder where my loyalty will end up. This political crab has to stop some where. For the most part the native Americans didn't care so why do we always have to be PC> yes, there are some names that I could see might be offensive but this is going to far.
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