NAME OF THE GAME

Should the Washington Redskins Be Renamed?

Native-American Oklahoma congressman says yes

Feb 3, 2013 by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

You'd never know Washington, D.C., was the capital of political correctness based on the name of its NFL team, the Washington Redskins.

The name has long been the subject of controversy, with many saying it's offensive and racist toward Native Americans and should be changed.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a member of the Chickasaw Nation, said recently the team should change its name, but he said he would take no action and leave it up to the owner, Daniel Snyder, Roll Call reports. "Come on. This is the 21st century. This is the capital of political correctness on the planet," Cole told Roll Call. "It is very, very, very offensive. This isn't like warriors or chiefs. It's not a term of respect, and it's needlessly offensive to a large part of our population. They just don't happen to live around Washington, D.C."

Others lament that the team's name is too deeply a part of Washington tradition and history. Generations have heard the team's fight song, "Hail to the Redskins," and collected merchandise bearing the name. In 1992, a group of Native Americans filed a lawsuit against the brand, saying it was offensive. It was dismissed in 2009, when the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, according to the Associated Press.

National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was asked at the annual state-of-the-league press conference Friday about whether the team should change its name, indicated it's unlikely any time soon, NBC reports. "I think [Redskins owner] Dan Snyder and the organization have made it very clear that they're proud of that heritage and that name, and I believe fans are, too," Goodell said.

Via Roll Call and NBC and the Associated Press

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Comments (view in Forum)

Feb '13

akjep6

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Really dont think it will happen but its possible that can be changed.
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Feb '13

armed_liberal

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If McDonalds had a football team, they would have the same uniforms as the Redskins.
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Feb '13

TheJimmy

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Nope.
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Feb '13

Rocker

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I bet if it was call the 'Rednecks' nobody would say a word.
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Feb '13

kyrebel

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@Rocker my ancestors was Cherokee and I'm proud of it. I'm a redneck too, well I've been called a redneck, lol. I'm proud of that too. Kinda glad there's a football team named after me.
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Feb '13

Rocker

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@kyrebel - I'm afraid I wont ever have a team representing me as the "Fightin' Old Pharts", the "Geritol Geronimos", or the "Rest Home Rejects".
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Feb '13

morphine-bunni

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@kyrebel why does every redneck say theyr Cherokee.?
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Feb '13

DerivePI

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@Rocker - How about "Crackers"
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Feb '13

wild_turkey6

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They are one of the most valuable franchises in the league. Changing the name would make no business sense, considering there isn't a hugh public backlash calling for a boycott. It's a free market, and apparently fans are not worried about looking like racists.
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Feb '13

Wooky

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Somebody must have gotten there feelings hurt!!!! lmao!
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Feb '13

RedFloppyShoes

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It is the name of a team, not a slur against a people. Get over it.
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Feb '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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NO! The Washington Redskins should forever remain the Washington Redskins. Who cares whose feathers get ruffled because they are too overly sensitive. The PC crowd needs to go away now. It's time to stop the effemination of America.
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Feb '13

Jackie312gm

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I'm asking myself,WHO GIVES A FLYING QUACK?? and why is this on POLITIX!!
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Feb '13

Neo_NtheMatrix

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@Jackie312gm - Very good question. Some people look for controversy in everything. This is a very non controversial issue that should be offensive to no one.
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Feb '13

Jackie312gm

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@Neo_NtheMatrix there are more inportant topics we could explore here on politix than the name of a freaking football team.
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Feb '13

Cheenoguy

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I'm sure you would feel the same way if a black owner renamed his team the Crackers.
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Feb '13

Knightkore

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Well, wouldn't this team represent Native Americans....not Americans that came from someplace else like the rest of us? Which would make it the most politically correct progressive liberal team in existence? Using President Hussein Obama's logic here....{by the way still follow coach Joe Gibbs on the NASCAR side of things....} And Ravens won....
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Feb '13

mwr

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Redskins should keep the name and tell this Senetor and Mayor Gray NO CHANGE
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Feb '13

Speedieg

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I honestly don't see the issue here, as someone who is half Native American this just seems silly. I just don't find the term redskin insulting. It's not even still in use today except for this team. I have clever seen it used otherwise and never in a way that was insulting to Native American culture.
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Feb '13

hankf68

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I could almost agree with your statement (I also have Native American blood), if they where called the Indians maybe instead of Redskin, but it's insulting to me that Washington would even chose an association for a sports team with a people they brought to near virtual extinction during their land grab and genocide...I just don't like the two words together period, sort of would be comparable to the Tel Aviv Palestinians, but in a way, it's a non issue, as you say "silly", there are surely more important issues facing us all...
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Feb '13

NTBFW

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@hankf68 they made the ASU Indians change to the timberwolves
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Feb '13

Speedieg

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@hankf68 if this were a 150 years ago I would agree but the term redskin never became the derogatory term of oppression that other sensitive words have and is no longer a word in use in our common language the others still are and still used to hurt. I'm not trying to be insensitive just stating my personal belief. What happend to the native american population in this country is disgraceful. That part of my family ended up in Oklahoma as a result. Had that not happend however my mother would not have met my father who was working a oil job there. If the Native American community truly finds it hurtful then lose it. For me it's just not an issue.
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Feb '13

drpeeper

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A poll done a while ago- 90% of Native Americans found it non offensive. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6093796/

Remember- all these things like this. No one is REALLY offended. It's a vocal minority with too much time on their hands. Do you really expect to go through your whole life without being offended? These are people LOOKING for things that they think should be offensive to them. Nothing more.

If you think it is offensive- then please get the names banned of all teams with animal names- for exploiting animals. Call PETA. Bam "Fighting Irish" Ban "Edmonton Eskimos", Cleveland Indians, and on and on..........

Man up, grow a pair, deal with what's important and go to work. Sheesh.
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Feb '13

stepped_in_it

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Welp, the PC crowd strikes again. Is there anything that they won't find "offensive" to one person or another. Jeez, how about the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves.
One day, everything will just be called beige!
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Feb '13

Thunderchicken

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If you bring this subject up to a group of Indians, it'll usually get a laugh. Very few, if any I've known, take this stuff seriously. The ones that do take it seriously I have heard ridiculed with the expression "going all Crazy Horse".
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Feb '13

Arumizy

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Get over it people.
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Feb '13

kathyparsell

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No skin off my red neck!
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Feb '13

seedtick

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The only reason the name of this franchise should be changed is if it is bought out, moved and deemed profitable for the corporation. OR...if their fans demand it overwhelmingly...and not just a handful of activists. And the government needs to keep out of the process.
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Feb '13

Jack-Black

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Please. I am so sick of the PC Police on both sides of the aisle. Dot they have more important things to do?
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Feb '13

Medicinebow

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NO, NO, NO. As a diehard, lifelong fan I believe it should no change.
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Feb '13
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Feb '13

Chromalord

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I never go the impression it was meant to cause harm OR show disrespect. If anything, quite the opposite. I wish someone named a team after me. Maybe the native indians dont like football, but they certainly profit by it in their gambling organization.
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Feb '13

culinary

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I swear people need to toughen up. This pc crap is really getting old.
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Feb '13

Buzzfriendly

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Yes, to the Virginia Redskins. More of their fans live here anyway and we now have the new training camp.
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Do you think the Redskins should get a new name?

Do you think the Redskins should get a new name?