A change to the Washington Redskins name and Logo?

[sbmcduffee]

There is no other racial slur that we would tolerate as a sports team name. Would anyone who supports not changing the name tolerate a team that went by the n-word and had a mascot that fit every stereotype of black people?

And it's not the same as using the actual name of an ethnic group. There really are Irish, Spartan, Seminole, Ute, etc... people in the world. There are not now, nor have there ever been, "Redskins."

[khomeinist]

Oh silly Patrick.......

Yes Sky?

YOU RANG?

[Ken Gargett]

blackhawks next?

another article below. where was obama on this?

re the polls, there is a link.

and as for the gentleman above, he suggests, "no other". these guys suggest 150 teams.

good luck sorting the mess.

mind you, it is a nice diversion from reading/watching the skins playing such crap footy.

Allegations Accuse The Chicago “Blackhawks” Name To Be Racist

BY SKYLAR PETERS -

OCT 8TH, 2013 AT 8:52 PM

PREVIOUS

Recent reports surfacing about a particular NFL franchise, the Washington Redskins, created a minor stir throughout the sports world, bringing the Chicago Blackhawks in the argument as well.

What unites the two teams, you might ask? It is the name, which is suggestive of a native group. Not only are the Redskins and Blackhawks involved, but another NFL franchise, the Kansas City Cheifs, and the Cleavland Indians of the MLB. Besides those four main teams, are over 150 other clubs in various sports across North America. Many activist groups for indigenous people have called out these clubs on occasion, with little success.

What would a name change have an impact on? Clubs such as the Blackhawks could stand to lose a substantial amount. Not only would they have a new name, but a new logo, mascot, and uniforms. The Chicago Blackhawks’ name has only undergone one change, back in the early 1980′s, where the space was taken out of “Black Hawks” to make it easier to say. Over 87 years of tradition would stand to be lost. Not only would the five Stanley Cup banners in the rafters of the United Center lose a little of their meaning, but the statues of Blackhawks’ greats just outside the building would also have a lost lustre. Millions and millions of dollars in memorobilia would be out-of date, and lets face it: any word behind Chicago that isn’t Bulls, Bears, or Blackhawks just doesn’t sound right.

Should we be worried? No. A famous study by Sports Illustrated back in 2002 found that “83% of American Indian respondents to a poll said that professional teams should not stop using Indian nicknames, mascots, or symbols.” Even though it is over a decade old, feelings are still largely the same, but noise is being made by people who don’t appreciate the name. Take a look around the next time you’re out in Chicago, or any city: the chances of seeing a Native American wearing a Blackhawks hat or shirt is about the same as any other culture. We as fans should be united by our favourite teams, not separated by their name.

[Ken Gargett]

and then we have those who are just not very bright. or very muddled.

http://fansided.com/2013/10/08/actress-olivia-wilde-thinks-washington-redskins-changed-team-name/?utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email

[sbmcduffee]

But all of those that were specifically listed were related to Native Americans. And again, there really were Blackhawks, there really are Chiefs, and there really were Indians. None of those, on their own, are racial slurs. The imagery associated probably is, but you can fix that by just using less stereotypes in mascots and logos. There is no way to make Redskins not a racial slur.

[El Presidente]

This is more like it.....great points on both sides have my mind going "fair point...fair point..." etal.

In defence of the "skins" pack here....crikey it must be hard to divorce yourself from 80 odd years of history. At the same time, if i were CEO of a team whose name genuinely offended current social norms then it would give me reason to think.

I also keep thinking that the "Redskins" is in the top 25 merchandising teams in the world (not sure exactly where they fall but this debate had me looking up Forbes). if Obama feels so strongly then swing a carrot of 5% monthly Quantative easing their way....only $4.25 Billion for a change in name.

I doubt (more concisely wonder) if anyone who owns, plays or follows the skins has any bad blood toward Native Americans. So the name is a product of history. The name is worth a fortune (built on 80 years). It is a little gullible to believe a business will throw it away.

[El Presidente]

...and I almost fell off my chair laughing when I saw the Tampa bay Buccaneers come in the top 50 list

The Glazers are the only family to own 2 teams in the top 50. Dumb they are not.

[Fuzz]

Will Catholics rise up against the New Jersey Devils, as supporting the team could be thought of as Satanic worship?

[El Presidente]

Will Catholics rise up against the New Jersey Devils, as supporting the team could be thought of as Satanic worship?

We Catholics don't rise for much....bar communion

[Ken Gargett]

We Catholics don't rise for much....bar communion

or a school bell.

[El Presidente]

or a school bell.

We Catholic Schools couldn't afford "beepers" like you Protestants

[Ken Gargett]

This is more like it.....great points on both sides have my mind going "fair point...fair point..." etal.

In defence of the "skins" pack here....crikey it must be hard to divorce yourself from 80 odd years of history. At the same time, if i were CEO of a team whose name genuinely offended current social norms then it would give me reason to think.

I also keep thinking that the "Redskins" is in the top 25 merchandising teams in the world (not sure exactly where they fall but this debate had me looking up Forbes). if Obama feels so strongly then swing a carrot of 5% monthly Quantative easing their way....only $4.25 Billion for a change in name.

I doubt (more concisely wonder) if anyone who owns, plays or follows the skins has any bad blood toward Native Americans. So the name is a product of history. The name is worth a fortune (built on 80 years). It is a little gullible to believe a business will throw it away.

that is the aspect of this we really have not touched. it is an extremely valuable franchise and synder is no fool. won't throw away many millions.

then there are the costs involved in changing.

but i wonder if this is one of those things being stirred up by a small noisy minority (some of whom are genuine but many others are not) while the vast majority of fans and others either don't care or do understand that there is nothing adversely intended while others actually celebrate the tradition and history.

[Ken Gargett]

We Catholic Schools couldn't afford "beepers" like you Protestants

what is a beeper?

[shrink]

The owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder, is a real ****. To commemorate this, he should change their name to the Washington Foreskins.

[Fuzz]

The owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder, is a real ****. To commemorate this, he should change their name to the Washington Foreskins.

No he can't, Snyder is Jewish.

[DrunkenMonkey]

So the people insulted by the name are so small in number, and such a tiny minority, that their point should be ignored, right? After all, democracy, right?

So why is it that Native Americans are such a small percentage of the US population? I mean, they weren't always. Must have been something happened to them.

[anacostiakat]

No he can't, Snyder is Jewish.

He aint changing it unless he is forced which is exactly what he should do.

[DrunkenMonkey]

In all honesty, this PC thing is getting out of hand.

...we must also be able to forgive and let go to move beyond.

...Native Americans should take the ownership of the term and turn it into a positive light.

Just so, Fuzz. Life hands you lemons, you gotta make some lemonade. And if those lemons happen to consist of the systematic ethnic cleansing of your people, the destruction of your culture, language, and ability to support yourself? Hey man, turn that frown upside down! Get with the program; no one likes a whiner!

[Fuzz]

Just so, Fuzz. Life hands you lemons, you gotta make some lemonade. And if those lemons happen to consist of the systematic ethnic cleansing of your people, the destruction of your culture, language, and ability to support yourself? Hey man, turn that frown upside down! Get with the program; no one likes a whiner!

By that thinking I should be pretty annoyed with the Western world for exploiting my people.

[DrunkenMonkey]

By that thinking I should be pretty annoyed with the Western world for exploiting my people.

I don't know. Are you still living in the concentration camp made for your grandparents?

[jangoman88]

has been discussed ad nauseum. sydner has said bugger off. other owners don't seem keen to push it. i gather polls including native americans have been very strongly in favour of retaining it. some see it as a source of pride. others, not so much. you'd think it was off season and the journo's had nothing else to write about.

one list of alternatives i saw had simply 'skins'. i could live with that but surely everyone would know it was just redskins shortened? and what then happens to teams like the chiefs, braves etc.

and given romo's penchant for choking, how long before real cowboys get pissed off and want it changed?

how long before whackjob greenies decide thaat equating bears with violent footy games insults bears?

if they were called the kiddyfiddlers or something like that, fair enough but seriously?

and may i add, with the greatest respect for the american president, given the financial cesspit blowing up over there at the moment, he really has nothing better to do than to make comments about a sporting team's name?

our POTUS is a POS

[SCgarman]

The owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder, is a real ****. To commemorate this, he should change their name to the Washington Foreskins.

He is a billionaire who owns one of the most valuable sports teams on the planet. He can act how he wants, money and power speak volumes.

[Fuzz]

I don't know. Are you still living in the concentration camp made for your grandparents?

Does every American Indian live on a reservation?

[DrunkenMonkey]

By that thinking I should be pretty annoyed with the Western world for exploiting my people.

The issue is not whether you, or they, should be annoyed with the oppressors of your forebears. The issue is whether or not you should be cool with racist insults to your people.

[Fuzz]

The issue is not whether you, or they, should be annoyed with the oppressors of your forebears. The issue is whether or not you should be cool with racist insults to your people.

Will Green Bay Packers fans stop referring themselves as "Cheeseheads", as this was a derogatory term for the Dutch?