Case Study: The Washington Football Team

In 1966 the professional football team, the Washington Redskins, which has represented the Washington, DC area in the National Football League since the 1930’s applied to have their team’s name registered as a trademark as reported by Peirano (2013). Peirano (2013) went on to report that at that time and even after, the name was registered, Native Americans and other activists seem to not show any concern about the team’s choice for a name. In later years, the term “redskin” was recorded in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and defined as meaning American Indian with a notice that the term is usually offensive according to Peirano (2013). However, according to Peirano (2013), the football team’s owner, Dan Snyder, claims that the name is not

Watching football is awesome. You get to hang out with friends and family, eating chips and drinking sodas. It was Columbas weekend and the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins were playing. During the game, native americans were angry and wanted to stop the game, but it didn’t. Native americans, later, were protesting to change the name because it is offensive to them. Some say that the team should change the name, while others say that they shouldn’t. The team's own says no, some of the fans says no, Dan Snyder says no, and Jason Begay says no. If people looked at this not as something atrocious, but as something positive, there wouldn’t be a problem.

The Change the Mascot campaign has made a website for people to see how big of topic this is to them. Also, on their website they’ve put out many other Native American tribes that support the changing of the name, ways to take action and even ways to contact them. They have a tab that shows the history of progress that shows that many team’s names and mascots have been changed from a racial Native American term to a more laid back name or mascot. They believe that the name and mascot should and will be changed to create more of non-racial effect among the Washington Redskins fans and community. Also, the Change the Mascot organization has put together a way to for non-Native American people to show their support by using the tag #ProudToBe Standing With #NotYourMascot on social media. Many native american tribes have actually sent out letters to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about changing the Washington Redskins name, logo and mascot. This is a national movement of Americans across the country, both Native and non-Native alike, who are standing against racism and strongly encouraging a

Have you ever wonder what is the big deal with teams with Native Americans name? I'm going to tell you about the argument with teams that have Native Americans such as the Washington Redskins. With a lot of people trying to get the Washington Redskins to change their because it's racist, they still don't because the cost of name change and uniforms, and quiet simply their is not enough support to change it.

One reading from Fivethirtyeight debates the argument to change the Native American mascot names. This is a valid argument because for example the name redskins, the name of the NFL football team located in Washington D.C, can be seen and viewed as disparaging to native americans. Naming teams and especially professional teams after native american tribes can become very controversial. (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-2128-native-american-mascots-people-arent-talking-about/)

By now, even if you are a casual sports fan-as I am-you have probably heard that Canadian doctor Albert Galea named names in the area of Human Growth Hormone recipients, and one of them was the top receiver for the Washington football franchise, Santana Moss. Note here that I refer to the team in question as the Washington football franchise. After all these years, I am still dumbfounded that all followers of the NFL, in town and out, are perfectly comfortable with a team that is named for an ethnic slur. Goodness (and my typical reader) knows, I am not a huge fan of pc, but this crosses the line. To be sure, a great many native Americans think the name stinks, but what do they matter? Apparently nothing. What 's worse is that American Indians have had very little presence in the nation 's capital, so there is scant reason, even for an acceptable mascot name along that line. It makes about as much sense as having a team called The Minnesota Wops. Back when the team was winning, its success could be attributed, in no small part, to its excellent offensive line, known collectively as The Hogs. Now wouldn 't that be a better mascot name for the team? It not only hearkens back to a successful era, it has plenty of relevance to the team 's home town. What relevance, you may ask. Are you kidding? This whole town is fueled by political pork. Getting back to Mr. Moss, we still do not know whether or to what extent he will be punished for his doping. The best guess seems to be a

“The Center for Indigenous Peoples Studies at California State University in San Bernardino surveyed 400 individuals, 98 of them Native Americans, and found that 67 percent of Native Americans agreed the "Redskins team name is a racial or racist word and symbol."” (Steele). Some mascots are offensive and racist to certain cultures and races. In, 2005, the NCAA banned schools with Native American mascots from hosting a national championship game (ProQuest Staff). Changing the mascot won’t change the history of the school or team. Some people feel unwelcome because of certain mascots. Some mascots should be banned because they are stereotypical, dishonor cultures, and are offensive.

The Native American people have a tenacious opinion on whether the Washington Redskins team should change their name due to its derogatory meaning. According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, the word “Redskin” is defined as Native American, but is specifically stated to be “Usually Offensive”(Merriam-Webster). The Native Americans deeply thought that the names, symbols, and mascots were completely disrespectful,

according to “ What's in a name” there has been a survey to see how much Native Americans find the name Redskins offensive. And 90% of the Native Americans find the name Redskins not offensive, while the other 10% answered yes. you're making too much of a big deal out of it. According to an article named “What in a name” in the 1900’s there were actually a few Native Americans in the Redskins team. But if only 10% of the Native Americans in the United States find the Redskins name offensive, then why do they make a such of a big deal out of

There has been many controversy with teams using Native American name for mascots and has become a major issue in today’s society. Many have viewed the Washington Redskins as honor for Native Americans, others see it racist, insensitive, and demeaning. Woods (2016) claims that “the complaint is that the use of stereotypical team names, mascots, and logos perpetuates an ideology that dehumanizes and demeans the cultures of Native Americans” (p. 298). Since the issue arise, many scholars, journalists and leaders have joined the battle to ensure that each team will eliminate the nicknames since it is considered abusive or hostile. It may take time but the trend is growing. More than 1,400 professional, collegiate,

“The use of the Redskins nickname was conducted among a random sample of 504 Native American adults. Ninety percent of respondents said they are not bothered by the Redskins name, and 73 percent of respondents said they do not find the name disrespectful” (Eitzen and Zinn). Native American logos are a very controversial topic but, what most people do not know is how the Native American population feels about these logos. Sports teams should not get rid of Native American logos because they represent Native Americans, the logos represent freedom of speech, and most Native Americans support the logos. “An agreement with local Native American tribes features a hockey arena, the Ralph Engelstad Arena, and the attached Betty Engelstad Sioux Center,

“As the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization, NCAI has long held a clear position against derogatory and harmful stereotypes of Native people—including sports mascots—in media and popular culture” (“Ending the Era of Harmful ’Indian’ Mascots” 1). Native Americans have been used as mascots and names for several high school, college, and professional teams such as the Washington Redskins with their Native American mascot. The term “Redskins” or any other term about Native Americans should not be used for any sports teams at any level, because it implies a snide nature, that it damages how people perceive their culture, and how Native American children perceive themselves.

The Washington Redskins should be forced to change their name. The term “Redskin” means a person with red skin referring to Indians. It also comes from the scalping of indians causing blood to rush down their faces making their skin red. The name is considered a racial slur. It is the equivalent to having a team named “N**ger”(Redskin slang). Since the name has remained the same, people think it is okay to call indians this name(Haden). People who disagree with changing the name point out the poll that shows 90% of natives aren’t offended by the team name(Cox). However, there was a survey in 2014 saying that 66% of indians living on the reservation are offended. Speculations are made wondering if the poll was bias.

Currently in the NFL, the Washington Redskins are being faced with a staggering controversy: Should they change they change their mascot as a result of Native Americans viewing it is a racial discriminatory (Angle 2016)? Dating back to 1933, when the Washington NFL team abandoned the original title of “Braves” and adopted “Redskins,” the debate has since been longstanding (Hylton 2014). Native Americans are challenging the team to rid them, along with all team mascot names relating to their culture countrywide, of their title, but the mascot names have no negative connotation and should not be protested against. The controversy relates back to the 1900s when Native Americans began to feel oppressed and teams began using their titles as mascot (Brady 2016).

Prior to looking at this section, if anyone were to ask me about my opinion on using a Native American logo or nickname for a sports team I would be indifferent. I wouldn’t feel right about having my own opinion because I have not been a part of a race or culture that has or is looked down upon. After reading Tim Wise’s article and going through the notes, I still feel like I do not have much say in whether or not these teams should be able to keep their logos and nicknames because I am not directly affected and it is hard to put myself into the position of the Native American people; although, I do understand where they are coming from. With that being said, teams should not have names and mascots that are going to offend other cultures.