Who know the word Redskins could cause such a Ruckus? In 1933, the owner of the Boston Braves, George Preston Marshall, changed the team name to the Washington Redskins. He did this to honor their head coach William Henry Dietz, who was Native American. What he did not know was that the word redskins changed over the years and is now causing problems for Marshall in the form of racism. The Washington Redskins should not have to change their name because it does not offend anyone. First off, back in 1933 when Marshall changed the American football team to Washington Redskins, the name had a different meaning than it does today. When the football team’s name was changed, it honored there head coach Dietz. On the video called Washington …show more content…
By changing the football team’s name to Redskins, it did not treat them in a different way than anyone else in the country. In a letter written by Dan Snyder to everyone in our Washington Redskins Nation, Snyder quoted a radio host called Robert Green who said that “Frankly, the members of my tribe - the vast majority - don’t find it offensive. … And to be honest with you, I would be offended if they did change [the name]” (Snyder). This supports the reasoning that the Washington Redskins do not find their name to be a disparate treatment. The Washington Redskins were not treating the Native Americans with any disrespect when they first called themselves Redskins, there were honoring their own head coach who was Native American (Stuart). The other side says that by calling the American football team Washington Redskins, that we are using disparate treatment. A man named Bob Costas said in the video “Washington Redskin Controversy” that calling any other ethnic group by their racist name would be unimaginable, so why do people allow Washington Redskins to keep their name (“Washington Redskin Controversy”)? It would be true that if a football team changed their name to Redskins today it would be racist. However, Marshall changed the American football’s name back in 1933; it was the definition of the term Native American. Back than it was not offensive, so they …show more content…
The Washington Redskins professional football team has thousands of fans that believe that taking away the name of the football would also take away their legacy. A poll created by ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” got results back that say “71 percent [of Americans believe the name Redskins] “should not” be changed” (Clement). This shows that the majority of Americans think that the word Redskins in this case is not offensive to the Native Americans and that the team should not have to change their name because a few Native Americans find the word racist. Another poll from Annenberg Public Policy Center asked Native Americans if they found the football team’s name offensive, ninety percent said that the name was acceptable (“Washington Redskins Name: An Intelligent Discussion”). This comes to show that the very people this name is supposed to offend find the name acceptable and do not believe the Washington Redskins are racist. However, the other side does believe that public opinion is showing that the football team Washington Redskins is offending Native Americans. In a poll from Oneida Indian Nation who surveyed Washington area residents found that fifty-nine percent of Native Americans have the right to be offended (“Washington Redskins Name: An Intelligent Discussion”). This may be the truth for Americans in the Washington area, but the polls people
Fighting the use of the word ‘redskins’” by Brian Cladoosby says how “[s]tudies show the use of American Indian-based names, mascots and logos in sports has a negative psychological effect on Native peoples” Cladoosby places a link to Dr. Michael A. Friedman research report which backs his case. In his study Dr. Friedman, a clinical psychologist says how Redskins is “uniquely destructive” because it “perpetuates the stereotypical and outdated caricature” and “promotes and justifies the use of a dictionary-defined racial slur, thus increasing risk for discriminatory”. With the rate of Native American suicide one of the highest in the nation the addition of their culture and history being stereotyped young Natives are facing discrimination and then being told that it’s okay because it’s for a sport. Cladoosby adds how that it creates a challenge to Natives who want to “maintain a foundation in their culture and language” meaning that ignoring a name that was once used when hunting their ancestors means that they are ignoring their culture. The name is not just racist and derogatory but promotes the an old-fashioned and stereotypical view of Native
In a generation focused on social justice and the elimination of prejudice from our society, there is still a use of offensive language and terminology in the area of professional sports. In “The Indian Wars” by S. L. Price, Price attempts to make the reader aware of sports teams that use derogatory terms as their team name and their mascot. He does this by highlighting football, and trying to determine whether Native-Americans are offended by team names in sports, or more specifically, the Redskins. Price’s essay is ineffective because although he raises good points, he doesn’t help the reader to form an opinion by adding historical context to the derogatory names used. He also uses inaccurate poll results to make assumptions about the feelings
The debate is divided into two sides. Those opposed to the use of Redskins and all Native American names in sports, and perceive the use of such terms and imagery as racist and derogatory towards Native Americans and those for keeping the name who cite the history of the team, its links to Native American players and coaches who were part of the team when it was create...
Native Americans are trying to take that next step. For the past 100 years Americans have stolen their sacred names and used them for mascots of high school, college, and professional sports teams. The National Education Association is one of the first to step to the plate by passing, Article I-41, which advises use of Prejudicial Terms and Symbols "The National Education Association deplores prejudice based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, size, marital status, or economic status and rejects the use of names, symbols, caricatures, emblems, logos, and mascots that promote such prejudice. (92,94)" By having these practices they believe the rights of Native Americans are protected. Native American Mascots in sports need to change to protect and uphold the rights that are granted to them from the constitution.
S.L. Price wrote this article for the magazine Sports Illustrated, where he examined the confusing topic of the use of Native American mascots and names in sports in high school, college, and professional levels. “The Indian Wars” serves a wide range of different people’s viewpoints. What names and mascots are used and whether or not they honor or defile the Native American population. The question presented is whether the historical context of a word like redskin should matter when being used today. Data had been collected and a majority of Natives are not offended, yet a big amount has voiced their opinion of this controversy. The NFL team Redskins is debated on, yet still the name is in use. The author wonders why they are so stubborn to make a name change because he believes it would be good for business.
There is considerable controversy that dates back to the 1960’s over sports teams’ names that reference Native American heritage. “The National Congress of American Indiana’s (NCIA) created a campaign in 1968 to eliminate stereotypes found in print and other media.” (ChangeTheMascot.org). The American Indian community has worked for many years to abolish the right to use Native American Names, spiritual and cultural symbols by professional sports teams (Teters) that they feel offensive. The Washington Redskins football team continues to battle a long standing controversy to change their name. Native Americans, politicians, fans of American football, as well as the general public all seem to have opposing viewpoints regarding if this team should be forced to change their name out of respect to those offended.
The NCAA and the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma seem to find this as being racist and demeaning to the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The NCAA, at first, was against it for the previous reasons until they were aware that the Seminole Tribe was in favor of the mascot because it respects their traditions and displays a tribute to them. The NCAA went on to grant a waiver to the school and remove them from their list of colleges that use hostile or abusive imagery towards Native American groups. It is thought that using a mascot with references to certain Native American tribes or traditions is racist, but in fact it is really promoting the culture of the tribe and the traditions of the tribe. The Washington Redskins have seen the name Redskins under scrutiny by the public frequently, but when the president was asked about it he described the team name to be a courageous symbol, and that it shows the strength of the Native Americans. The reference to strength shows the respect they have for them because a football team wouldn’t want to be called something that wasn’t very courageous. It is a sign of respect from the organization using a Native American mascot to the Native American people. It also shows respect to the culture and promotes it letting more people become aware of the bright history of the American Indians. If a school would choose to use a mascot that has any
Sports organizations that have ethnic team names and mascots have been a controversial hot topic for decades. Professional sports franchises like the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, and Washington Redskins have maintained significant presence and fan base in their respective leagues, but disputes over the perceived racial offensiveness of their names has surrounded them. Some Native American activist groups and political figures think ethnic team names and mascots are disrespectful to their culture and defame the historical legacy of their ancestors. They view the name “Redskins” as a racial slur, and the cartoonish-looking Chief Wahoo mascot for the Cleveland Indians as mockery rather than flattery. Despite the fact that sports franchises know their brand is offending ethnic groups, they have refused to change their team names. Native Americans have experienced psychological distress, lower self-esteem, and a lower sense of achievement because of the offensive and stereotypical names/logos of these teams ("Washington Redskins: Do Offensive Team Names Endanger Public Health?"). This begs the question, should sports teams with potentially offensive names and mascots be required to change their identities in order to be more racially sensitive and politically correct?
College athletes generate millions of dollars for their schools each year, yet they are not allowed to be compensated beyond a scholarship due to being considered amateurs. College athletes are some of the hardest working people in the nation, having to focus on both school courses and sports. Because athletics take so much time, these student-athletes are always busy. College football and basketball are multi-billion dollar businesses. The NCAA does not want to pay the athletes beyond scholarships, and it would be tough to work a new compensation program into the NCAA and university budgets. College athletes should be compensated in some form because they put in so much time and effort, generating huge amounts of revenue.
Today in America the word Racism is taken to a whole new level. Even in sports, such as the NFL racism prospers. For instance the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Native Americans are trying to say the NFL is being rude for naming a Team Redskins. The Redskins have had that name since 1933 (Staff). The team had the name of Braves before they adopted the name Redskins. It was changed due to racism purposes. Some people would agree that the whole situation with Redskins is ridiculous because The Major League Baseball series has two teams related to Native Americans, The Atlanta Braves and The Cleveland Indians. The NFL also has more than just Redskins. They have the Kansas City Chiefs. So if they are really worried about total racism why isn’t the Chiefs in on this conversation?
Redskins, Seminoles, Tribe, Indians, what do they all have in common? They are all athletic team names under scrutiny by people who deem them as being racist. For years, people have argued over the fact that these names and/or mascots are being used in a negative way. Some have been changed while others are still being argued over. Teams with these mascots should not be forced to change their names because the majority of Native Americans are not even bothered by these sports names.
College athletics is a billion dollar industry and has been for a long time. Due to the increasing ratings of college athletics, this figure will continue to rise. It’s simple: bigger, faster, stronger athletes will generate more money. College Universities generate so much revenue during the year that it is only fair to the players that they get a cut. College athletes should get paid based on the university’s revenue, apparel sales, and lack of spending money.
Native American’s lives are negatively impacted because they are made to feel uncomfortable and are presented with a hostile environment when they attend sporting events that use Native American images as their team’s mascot. Native Americans should not be made to feel uncomfortable because they are being disrespected while trying to be members of their community as a result of sports teams’ degrading use of images of Native American heritage as their team’s mascot. Many non-Natives do not view the use of Native American mascots as disrespectful, but their opinions cannot ensure that everyone will not feel disrespected. Many Native Americans are made uncomfortable in public settings because of the use of mascots, thus negatively impacting their lives. If those of Native American heritage feel disrespected and degraded because of the use of mascots, and they clearly do, action should be taken to remove the issues that are causing a negative impact on their lives.
The next reason we’ll be looking at are the stereotypical images commonly seen in literature and mascots. Mainstream media such as “Dances with Wolves”, “The Lone Ranger”, and “The Last of The Mohicans” and mascots in professional sports teams like Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Blackhawks all include representations of Native Americans that for some, are offensive. With this in mind, ...
The disrespect and irony can be seen when Dee changes her name from a family name to a name that an ancestor could have had while still in Africa. After her Mom finds out she has changed her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo she confronts Miss Wangero about this blatant disrespect, “You know as well as me you were named after your aunt Dicie” (Walker 488). Dee’s name had been her Aunt’s, her Grandmother’s, and her Great Grandmother’s. Dee’s name was a family tradition that could be traced through 4 generations. Dee’s mother went on to say, “I could have carried it back beyond the Civil War through the branches” (488). Dee’s name could had been in the family since before the Civil War. Dee’s only defense for abandoning this family name was that she didn’t want to have a name that was handed down from a slave master. Dee says “ I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me.”(488) It’s ironic that Dee would choose to give up the traditional family name in order to pick up a name someone could have had in Africa. It’s ironic to drop a tradition in order to revive one that may or may not have ever been observed by their family. It’s ironic because Dee lost her family’s tradition in order to save one that someone else