The Redskins…What’s In A Name?
This post originally appeared at The Cooley Zone
Thanks to a court ruling last week, I’m still a fan of the Washington Redskins. Not the Washington Presidents, or the Washington Johnny Rockets, or some other name that I could never imagine.
I (like most of you) have spent a lifetime bleeding burgundy and gold, singing the words “braves on the warpath” and rooting for my Skins. I’ve never once in my 30 years as a fan thought of the name “Redskins” as being offensive or racist. I’ve never heard nor said an off color or racist remark about the name. I’ve never heard one of the 90,000 drunken fans at Fedex field say anything derogatory about the name…even when the Redskins have a sucky day or a bad loss. In fact, I am proud of the name, proud of the team, and proud of the history and heritage of Native Americans. But who am I too voice my opinion? I’m just an ordinary white guy who can’t jump and can’t dance (especially when I think I can dance, usually around beer 8 or 9).
Well, I happen to be a part of a large group of people that believe that the Washington Redskins are a tribute to Native Americans. That group of people happens to include the Native Americans themselves. Yes that’s right, 90% of American Indians do not find the term “Redskins” offensive in any way. Lets stop and think about this for a minute. Do you think 80 years ago the Redskins chose their team name to personally offend an entire race? Is that really how team names are chosen? No, they are chosen as a tribute to something. And without those teams that honor the American Indian, how often would we be reminded of our Native American history? I think that the people that bring on these lawsuits are only interested in what the root of all lawsuits boil down to…$money$ and notoriety.
I’ve been a fan of many of the names that have graced the backs of the jersey’s. Monk, Riggins, Green, and Cooley to name a few. But, the names on the back of the jersey’s change quite often. However, the Redskins name and the burgundy and gold is a lifetime relationship for me (and for you). Rooting for another team, or even the same team with a different name just wouldn’t be right. I have to give Dan Snyder props for fighting in court and spending loads of cash to keep the tradition and history of the Redskins in tact.
So hip,hip, hooray to Chief Zee, that guy on the side of the helmets, and the Indians getting to mix it up twice a year with those Cowboys. And if you find that offensive, spend the day surfing the Internet…I think there’s a lot worse things you could focus on.
Cheers and Hail
