Nobody wants to feel discriminated, but when one does, they feel as if it’s their duty to take a stand and fight for their rights. This is exactly what happened with the Native Americans in Denver, Colorado on Oct. 27, 2013. In the article written by Simon Moya-Smith, NBC news, he explained what happened at the Washington Redskin vs. Denver Broncos football game. Two groups of Native American organizations, American Indian Movement Colorado and Idle No More Denver, marched to the parking lot of Sports Authority Field. As the Washington Redskin was coming off the bus, they began their protest about the team’s name and how it was racist towards all Native Americans. As they held up signs like "Change the Name" and "What's in a name? Everything!" while shouting out rants through bullhorns, they demanded the team owner, Dan Snyder, to change the team’s name.
When it comes to Native Americans, they don’t like to be disrespected. Native Americans has always had a problem with American sports that use names, of what they call racist, to refer to Indians. In my opinion, they are right. Nobody wants to be referred to something just because of the color of their skin. "(Redskins) is a term that was created for proof of Indian kill," which was said by Tessa McLean of the Ojibwe Nation and also is the youth council leader of American Indian Movement Colorado. That is as racist as it can get, so they have the right to be mad and upset. There was also a statement made by Basim Mahmood, whose ancestry stems from east India, he states that "As a person of Indian origin, I stand in solidarity with them because we are all fighting the same thing — which is racism," The Native Americans have been through many tough challenges and fights throughout history to get to where they are now, so why should they be reminded about the blood that was spilled from their ancestors.
In my opinion, if this was happening with a different race like African Americans or Caucasians, it would be a whole different story. This would have been on national news, this would have been everywhere, so why is this not the case with the Native Americans. This is happening to Native Americans and no one seems to be paying attention. From the article it says that Snyder argues and states that he ‘“respects the opinion of those who disagree”, but reiterated that he remains immovable on the subject, citing an acclaimed team history. "We owe it to our fans and coaches and players, past and present, to preserve that heritage”’. If that’s the case, they could still preserve their heritage with a different name. A name has a meaning but does have an effect on your actions, or in case achievements. So even if the Washington Redskin do change their name, it would have no effect on their performance. Everyone was created equally and everyone has had their fair fights, so everyone should be respected. So yes, I think the Washington football team’s owner and every other racist named team should change their name, it would only be fair.
When it comes to Native Americans, they don’t like to be disrespected. Native Americans has always had a problem with American sports that use names, of what they call racist, to refer to Indians. In my opinion, they are right. Nobody wants to be referred to something just because of the color of their skin. "(Redskins) is a term that was created for proof of Indian kill," which was said by Tessa McLean of the Ojibwe Nation and also is the youth council leader of American Indian Movement Colorado. That is as racist as it can get, so they have the right to be mad and upset. There was also a statement made by Basim Mahmood, whose ancestry stems from east India, he states that "As a person of Indian origin, I stand in solidarity with them because we are all fighting the same thing — which is racism," The Native Americans have been through many tough challenges and fights throughout history to get to where they are now, so why should they be reminded about the blood that was spilled from their ancestors.
In my opinion, if this was happening with a different race like African Americans or Caucasians, it would be a whole different story. This would have been on national news, this would have been everywhere, so why is this not the case with the Native Americans. This is happening to Native Americans and no one seems to be paying attention. From the article it says that Snyder argues and states that he ‘“respects the opinion of those who disagree”, but reiterated that he remains immovable on the subject, citing an acclaimed team history. "We owe it to our fans and coaches and players, past and present, to preserve that heritage”’. If that’s the case, they could still preserve their heritage with a different name. A name has a meaning but does have an effect on your actions, or in case achievements. So even if the Washington Redskin do change their name, it would have no effect on their performance. Everyone was created equally and everyone has had their fair fights, so everyone should be respected. So yes, I think the Washington football team’s owner and every other racist named team should change their name, it would only be fair.
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