There are two things we need to come to terms with before I go on with this article and both are equally true.
First, when the Boston Braves changed their name to the then Boston Redskins in 1933, it was not in any way meant as an insult or racist caricature of Native Americans. In fact, the first head coach of the newly-named Redskins was part Sioux, William “Lone Star” Dietz. The team didn’t move to Washington D.C. until 1937.
Former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann summed this feeling up pretty well.
“I was and always will be a Washington Redskin. I’m very proud to have worn the uniform. I’m very proud to have represented the Native-American nations of country, the Washington Redskin fans, the team itself.”
The second is that it’s currently 2015 and, even though the nickname “Redskins” wasn’t considered racially insensitive in 1933, and in fact probably didn’t bother anybody, it is considered that way now and has been for a while. The world changes. Our society changes. We have to deal with it and one of the ways we do is letting old, bothersome nicknames, flags and other pieces history go. It’s OK.
Goshen adds itself to the growing list of schools retiring racist r-word mascot, is the NFL paying attention? http://t.co/zNDwVyWuEx
— Change The Mascot (@ChangeDCMascot) July 30, 2015
The “Redskins” name would not be the first nickname changed or retired by an NFL franchise. In fact, it wouldn’t even be the 20th or, since the franchise originated as the Braves, even the first for this very team.
How many nicknames have fallen to the wayside over the years? Well, let’s see. We had the aforementioned “Braves.” There were multiple Bulldogs, Bisons, Rangers, Tigers, Celts, Gunners, Indians, Panhandlers (yes, they were in Columbus), Triangles (in Dayton), Heralds, Wolverines, Kelleys, Eskimos, Maroons, Staleys, Spartans, Crimson Giants, Yellowjackets, Pros, Blues, Oilers, Blues, Reds, Brecks, Colonels, Badgers, Marines, Redjackets, Flyers, Tornadoes, Yanks, Yankees (two different teams), Steam Roller, Jeffersons, Independents, All-Stars, Stapletons, Stapes and Senators.
Some of those franchises no longer exist. Others, like the Staleys (became the Chicago Bears) and the Spartans (became the Detroit Lions) just kept changing nicknames until one stuck.
Because the name “Redskins” is considered offensive, the team continues to lose its trademark as owner Daniel Snyder wastes his money time and again fighting it on appeal. They can’t build a stadium closer to D.C. because the National Park Service can’t sell them land to construct it because of the name. These are two unwinnable battles and even though the only thing Snyder loves to throw money away on than court cases is useless free agents, there’s no reason to keep fighting.
As more schools look for inclusive, non-racist mascot options Washington NFL team owner refuses to follow their lead. http://t.co/hZ0deeFz0i
— Change The Mascot (@ChangeDCMascot) July 30, 2015
A recent poll from YouGuv showed that 42 percent of people age 18-29 thought the name was offensive (compared to 38 percent saying it isn’t). And while that number is flipped from older generations who skew more “Pro-Redskins” name, there’s something the franchise needs to understand. Those people are dying. And they won’t be replaced by younger fans who think your name is racist.
The Associated Press ran their own poll and 79 percent of respondents didn’t want the team to change its name so there’s plenty of justification for Snyder to fight on. And, honestly, in the grand scheme of things this isn’t that important. No one is using the Washington Redskins to slander anybody, be racist to anybody or make anyone feel like less of a person no matter how dramatic anyone wants to get over it.
But the ultimate truth is that the dictionary definition of “redskin” is “…a disparaging term for a Native American” and that’s really the end of the argument right there.
There is an easy solution to this and it has nothing to do with polling Native American populations or Redskins fans. Just change the name to something that fits all the current logos and branding. Just be the Washington Warriors. No one can complain then, and if they do you can ignore them because I promise you everyone else will.
And you know what else comes with a name change? Product sales. Money actually coming in instead of flying out the door to every lawyer and 30-year-old has-been NFL player and coach Snyder stumbles upon sleeping in his front yard.
Everybody wins.
