Should The Redskins change their name and Logo?

[mjmjr25]

What do you mean? Whatevs, i'm gonna go for a pontoon ride on all the lakes in LA.

[Luke]

You might not take offense to it, but you're also not the spokesperson of your race, believe it or not Luke.

Actually, I am the spokesperson for one handed second generation German Americans who are extremely good looking and well built men with tiny waists, broad shoulders and chubby faces that always dress to a T.

[Jmustang1968]

I think the majority of people just have better things to do than try to find offense in a sports team name or mascot. Most don't care and it is a small vocal grouo that thinks they speak the whole that usually takes issue and creates controversy. I just feel native americans are hardly being oppressed by some team names.

Do some take offense? Sure, it is going happen, but it seems the last decade and a half more and more are taking offense at almost everything. Everyne has to play it safe these days.

[Luke]

It must be since after purchasing The Jazz from New Orleans, Utah still hasn't come up with a new name that has anything to do with Utah.

Relevant, and irrelevant:

[Blu]

Popo: I think you're asking a great question and one that is most certainly valid. It's one that we cannot answer because we haven't challenged the notion enough. So we still have many teams that are injust on a racially-centric point of view. Everything else is held in place because the logic prevails is the Washington Redskins still exist, the Cleveland Indians still exist, so the Patriots will keep their namesake too. There's not enough collective organization to put enough pressure to make any change happen.

And there's probably few people that are season ticket holders of the Washington Redskins that are Native American. There's probably few that even go to games. Just because they aren't consumers of this product doesn't mean that their points are any less valid. Dsh's Onion article sums up the heart of it entirely. It's racist, how can we continue to ignore it?

Mike: I definitely understand your points, given that we've both lived in the region where Native Americans are more represented. I agree that it might appear as silly that we're debating the nature of whether or not it's oppressive. What good could come from this is when collectively we could say: "Wow, I guess that the Washington Redskins namesake and logo are quite harmful to many Native Americans. How can we rally support for them?" We're not shouldering the brunt of the work, we're just allowing for their voices to be heard and being an ally to their cause. It should definitely be a conversation with the Nations and Tribes of the Native American people, along with the support of those who want to support.

[Blu]

I think the majority of people just have better things to do than try to find offense in a sports team name or mascot. Most don't care and it is a small vocal grouo that thinks they speak the whole that usually takes issue and creates controversy. I just feel native americans are hardly being oppressed by some team names.

Do some take offense? Sure, it is going happen, but it seems the last decade and a half more and more are taking offense at almost everything. Everyone has to play it safe these days.

Hilarious, and spoken from a privileged point of view. When you frame the conversation as "People take offense to everything; everyone has to play it safe." it's dismissive and self-preserving as opposed to receptive and restorative: "Looks like this created some harm, what will make it right?"

When you realize that changing the namesake of the Redskins won't make the team any better or worse, (because they'll still suck with or without RGIII) why not finally listen to the cries of an oppressed community and do the right thing?

[Ack]

Mike: I definitely understand your points, given that we've both lived in the region where Native Americans are more represented. I agree that it might appear as silly that we're debating the nature of whether or not it's oppressive. What good could come from this is when collectively we could say: "Wow, I guess that the Washington Redskins namesake and logo are quite harmful to many Native Americans. How can we rally support for them?" We're not shouldering the brunt of the work, we're just allowing for their voices to be heard and being an ally to their cause. It should definitely be a conversation with the Nations and Tribes of the Native American people, along with the support of those who want to support.

The bolded sentence is the line I want to point out. The reason I'm ok that "a bunch of (mostly) white guys should be trying to determine who may or may not be offended by a term not directly offensive to white people" is that the discussion may in fact lead to support for these Native American tribes. Personally, I agree that Redskins is offensive. I don't know how I can help change anything, as I never bought tickets to their games anyway. But I can at the very least sympathize and be made aware of the issue.

[Jmustang1968]

I think the majority of people just have better things to do than try to find offense in a sports team name or mascot. Most don't care and it is a small vocal grouo that thinks they speak the whole that usually takes issue and creates controversy. I just feel native americans are hardly being oppressed by some team names.

Do some take offense? Sure, it is going happen, but it seems the last decade and a half more and more are taking offense at almost everything. Everyone has to play it safe these days.

Hilarious, and spoken from a privileged point of view. When you frame the conversation as "People take offense to everything; everyone has to play it safe." it's dismissive and self-preserving as opposed to receptive and restorative: "Looks like this created some harm, what will make it right?"

When you realize that changing the namesake of the Redskins won't make them any better or worse, (because they'll still suck with or without RGIII) why not finally listen to the cries of an oppressed community and do the right thing?

Yes very hilarious, I can't stop laughing...

Naming a sports team after a culture isn't oppressive. What was done to the natives during the US expansion was oppressive. Our society in general has become so thin-skinned by and large. If one were so inclined, you could spin most anything into being offensive.

What about a team like the raiders or buccaneers who have a team named for cruel people, thieves, and rapists? Should all victims of those crimes call out for those names to be changed? I am of course going over the top and ridiculous.

I am actually 1/8 native american but I also really don't identify with them or their culture. I just think there are numerous things more worthwhile to focus energy on than a team name that isnt even offensive to many of the group it is supposedly victimizing. And many even embrace it.

There is no 'self-preserving' view. That is just my outlook in general. And of course, no team name has any effect on the play on the field.

[dsheinem]

I think the majority of people just have better things to do than try to find offense in a sports team name or mascot.

Like argue about video games online?

Also, look for the thread coming soon: "Should the Racketboy website (and/or podcast) change its name and logo?"

[J T]

My grandfather was a lesbian. That makes me a quarter lesbian.