Like a blast from the past, here we are yet again: deciding what is racist and what is not. You do not see team names for sports that single out Asians, Europeans, Persians, etc., so why do we have team names such as the Cleveland Indians or the Washington Redskins? This is an topic that has been battled by the affected ethnicities, along with those that acknowledge this is not one of those "Oh well" kind of issues. It is already a problem when a whole team singles out an entire race, but when a term is also greatly offends many raises an issue to be battled. Recently, it has been all over the media of how extremely racist of a name "Redskins" actually is. Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, is still extremely reluctant to change his team's name. Claiming it brings "honor" to the team, the Oneida Indian people think otherwise. The R-word has the same equivalence as the current N-word, so why is there even a debate over whether or not the name should be changed?
Mascots from other teams like Syracuse University have dropped their mascot (Saltine Warrior) due to a plethora of complaints from fellow Native Americans saying this name was "degrading" to them. Alongside, in 1997, the Miami Redskins changed their name to the Redhawks almost as soon as complaints started filing in. This time around, not only are there complaints about the Washington Redskin's team name, but there have also been reported protests to change the degrading team name.
According to the online dictionary, (Oct.30,2013) "Redskin" is considered a slang term for a Native American that is degrading and offensive. It is even known as "taboo" to call someone such a name, so it is unimaginable that a professional team is extremely reluctant to change their name.
With this radical controversy upon this racial slur, it has been frequently brought up that there are no team names with what we now know as the "N-word", and the "R-word" has the exact same equivalence of racial meaning.
Though it will be costly for the team and it's owner, the demeaning term "Redskin" as a mascot is racially unfair. This is not something that can be excused without an equal view upon such situation.
If an ethnicity says it is offended by a certain team name, is specific about it, and repeatedly asks for a name change of the team, then it should be done as so. Certain Native American tribes have approved certain team names, none of which are racially demeaning in the first place. The tribes signed a document stating that they allow such a term may be used to depict a mascot. When a whole ethnicity, not only just a certain tribe, speaks out about being offended by a racial slur used as a name for a mascot in a sport that they did not even create, the request should be fulfilled as soon as possible to create what our America stands for- equality and freedom for all.
If an ethnicity says it is offended by a certain team name, is specific about it, and repeatedly asks for a name change of the team, then it should be done as so. Certain Native American tribes have approved certain team names, none of which are racially demeaning in the first place. The tribes signed a document stating that they allow such a term may be used to depict a mascot. When a whole ethnicity, not only just a certain tribe, speaks out about being offended by a racial slur used as a name for a mascot in a sport that they did not even create, the request should be fulfilled as soon as possible to create what our America stands for- equality and freedom for all.
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