Should the Washington Redskins change their name?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

If the free market causes a name change rather than government intervention, conservatives should claim victory.  But most of them will howl defeat instead...

Even though he seems like a world class douchebag as a team owner, I think Daniel Snyder can honestly claim he knows a thing or two about the free market,  and at least in his eyes, it doesn't mandate a change (probably ever during his lifetime)

[Link]

Thing is, how does being used as a sports team nickname, in and of itself, constitute a demeaning use?

Would you be okay with calling a team the Dallas "Ni--ers"?  Would you call a native American an "red skin" in a job interview for an accounting job?

<slope class="slippery">Besides, if we don't nip this now, in a couple of decades, PETA will be going after sports teams named after animals.</slope>

I'm not aware of PETA having any lasting power.



Again I have no definitive decision on what should be done with the name.  There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument.

[Hifly]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

[publicunofficial]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

It's like calling black people "Blackskins"

<slope class="slippery">Besides, if we don't nip this now, in a couple of decades, PETA will be going after sports teams named after animals.</slope>

Native Americans are not the same thing as animals.

[pbrower2a]

We can start by ruling out the "Washington Generals", the basketball squad that predictably loses to the Harlem Globetrotters.

Superpredator and near-superpredator animals?

Bears, eagles, falcons, hawks, lions, tigers (Bengals), panthers, and jaguars are out of the question. Dolphins would be superpredators except for orcas and sharks in the open ocean, but they too are out of the question. Seals and walruses might fit. Pandas? Too closely associated with a country that isn't 100% reliable.

"Gators" and "wolverines" are heavily associated with some high-profile college teams.

Dogs are as deadly as any other carnivores of like size. They are either too small to hurt people badly (a Jack Russell terrier is a miniature tiger in many respects, much like a cat) or good behavior mutes their obvious lethality (you would still not want to get in a fight with a Great Dane). Problem is -- which dog?  There's so much variety. Wolves?

Snow leopard? Few people know what it is.

Komodo dragon? Giant salamander? Likewise.

A leopard would be a good idea -- for a basketball team. It's easily confused with a jaguar, so that would be a problem in the NFL. Maybe if pistons become technologically obsolete the Detroit Pistons could become the "Detroit Leopards", and I could just imagine a logo of a leopard slam-dunking a basketball while snarling. Cougars? In view of its sexual overtones I would not introduce that one now.

Giant otters are too cute in appearance even if they are big killers. Giant octopuses are too sinister in appearance.

Hyenas? Interesting.

Crocodiles? Probably the most dangerous man-eaters of all.

Sharks? Too sinister.

Pythons? Anacondas? Snakes inculcate as much revulsion as fear. But "snakes" describe many of our politicians all too well.

Whales? Now that would allow some alliteration -- "Washington Whales"?  At that "Washington Wolves" would do fine, too.

... If you still like "Washington Redskins", then ask yourself whether you would like "New York K**es", "New Orleans N****rs", "San Francisco C**nks", "Los Angeles G**ks", "San Diego S**cks", "Chicago P*l*cks", or Philadelphia W*ps".    

[pbrower2a]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

The most neutral term that I have seen is the Canadian "First Peoples".

[Link]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

No.  "Red Indians" is an offensive way of saying "Red Indians."

We refer to them as Native Americans or Real Americans.

Again though I have no firm opinion about the sports team name change debate either way.

[Hifly]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

No.  "Red Indians" is an offensive way of saying "Red Indians."

What about the term "Black African" which is in style equivalent to "Red Indian". Do you take offense to that too?
I refer to them as Red Indians. Simply calling them Indians as they prefer themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

[publicunofficial]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

No.  "Red Indians" is an offensive way of saying "Red Indians."

What about the term "Black African" which is in style equivalent to "Red Indian". Do you take offense to that too?
I refer to them as Red Indians. Simply calling them Indians as they like themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Native Americans don't like being called "Reds" or "Redskins" or "Redface" or "the redman"

Instead of "Black African", a more appropriate comparison would be "Yellow" in reference to Asians.

[publicunofficial]

We can start by ruling out the "Washington Generals", the basketball squad that predictably loses to the Harlem Globetrotters.

Superpredator and near-superpredator animals?

Bears, eagles, falcons, hawks, lions, tigers (Bengals), panthers, and jaguars are out of the question. Dolphins would be superpredators except for orcas and sharks in the open ocean, but they too are out of the question. Seals and walruses might fit. Pandas? Too closely associated with a country that isn't 100% reliable.

"Gators" and "wolverines" are heavily associated with some high-profile college teams.

Dogs are as deadly as any other carnivores of like size. They are either too small to hurt people badly (a Jack Russell terrier is a miniature tiger in many respects, much like a cat) or good behavior mutes their obvious lethality (you would still not want to get in a fight with a Great Dane). Problem is -- which dog?  There's so much variety. Wolves?

Snow leopard? Few people know what it is.

Komodo dragon? Giant salamander? Likewise.

A leopard would be a good idea -- for a basketball team. It's easily confused with a jaguar, so that would be a problem in the NFL. Maybe if pistons become technologically obsolete the Detroit Pistons could become the "Detroit Leopards", and I could just imagine a logo of a leopard slam-dunking a basketball while snarling. Cougars? In view of its sexual overtones I would not introduce that one now.

Giant otters are too cute in appearance even if they are big killers. Giant octopuses are too sinister in appearance.

Hyenas? Interesting.

Crocodiles? Probably the most dangerous man-eaters of all.

Sharks? Too sinister.

Pythons? Anacondas? Snakes inculcate as much revulsion as fear. But "snakes" describe many of our politicians all too well.

Whales? Now that would allow some alliteration -- "Washington Whales"?  At that "Washington Wolves" would do fine, too.

... If you still like "Washington Redskins", then ask yourself whether you would like "New York K**es", "New Orleans N****rs", "San Francisco C**nks", "Los Angeles G**ks", "San Diego S**cks", "Chicago P*l*cks", or Philadelphia W*ps".    

Washington Presidents and Washington Monuments are my favorite suggestions.

[Hifly]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

No.  "Red Indians" is an offensive way of saying "Red Indians."

What about the term "Black African" which is in style equivalent to "Red Indian". Do you take offense to that too?
I refer to them as Red Indians. Simply calling them Indians as they like themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Native Americans don't like being called "Reds" or "Redskins" or "Redface" or "the redman"

But I didn't suggest any of those as suitable.

And furthermore the term "Real American" sounds hardly intellectual. Do you identify as "European" as opposed to "American"?

[publicunofficial]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

No.  "Red Indians" is an offensive way of saying "Red Indians."

What about the term "Black African" which is in style equivalent to "Red Indian". Do you take offense to that too?
I refer to them as Red Indians. Simply calling them Indians as they like themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Native Americans don't like being called "Reds" or "Redskins" or "Redface" or "the redman"

But I didn't suggest any of those as suitable.

And furthermore the term "Real American" sounds hardly intellectual. Do you identify as "European" as opposed to "American"?

Red Indians is just as offensive as any of the ones I mentioned.

Also no one calls them "Real Americans" except the occasional liberal activist.

[This user has not been convicted of 34 felonies]

Philadelphia W*ps

That's my favourite Racistball team!

[Paul Kemp]

Yes [Normal]

[Lief 🗽]

Thing is, how does being used as a sports team nickname, in and of itself, constitute a demeaning use?

Because the word is, in and of itself, a demeaning one.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Yeah, but so should all the other ones like Blackhawks and Cleveland Indians. Washington represents the Gov. If collegiate sports can live w/out it, so should DC.

[Link]

What is so bad about the term "Redskins"? Is it an offensive way of saying "Red Indians"?

No.  "Red Indians" is an offensive way of saying "Red Indians."

What about the term "Black African" which is in style equivalent to "Red Indian". Do you take offense to that too?

Africans live in Africa.  Most of the people you are referring to as "Red Indians" have never been to India.  They are called Native Americas or Real Americans.

I refer to them as Red Indians.

I am painfully aware of that.

Simply calling them Indians as they prefer themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Uhh... when have you surveyed native Americans and reached this conclusion they prefer to be called something they most definitely are not?  Stay in England or Germany or where ever you live.  You will offend way to many people here in the United States.

And furthermore the term "Real American" sounds hardly intellectual.

You are not a good arbiter of what sounds "intellectual."  At least Real American is accurate unlike that offensive Indian stuff you keep posting.

[Maxwell]

Could care less.

Exactly. Sports is awful.

But if I did care, it would be a no.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Simply calling them Indians as they prefer themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Uhh... when have you surveyed native Americans and reached this conclusion they prefer to be called something they most definitely are not?  Stay in England or Germany or where ever you live.  You will offend way to many people here in the United States.

And furthermore the term "Real American" sounds hardly intellectual.

You are not a good arbiter of what sounds "intellectual."  At least Real American is accurate unlike that offensive Indian stuff you keep posting.

Who are the Native Americans you've talked to who are offended at the name "Indian" or call themselves "Real Americans"?

[Link]

Simply calling them Indians as they prefer themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Uhh... when have you surveyed native Americans and reached this conclusion they prefer to be called something they most definitely are not?  Stay in England or Germany or where ever you live.  You will offend way to many people here in the United States.

And furthermore the term "Real American" sounds hardly intellectual.

You are not a good arbiter of what sounds "intellectual."  At least Real American is accurate unlike that offensive Indian stuff you keep posting.

Who are the Native Americans you've talked to who are offended at the name "Indian" or call themselves "Real Americans"?

Ex girlfriend.  Any other questions?  And the term the gentleman used was "Red Indian."

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Simply calling them Indians as they prefer themselves to be described would create confusion, and in the UK Red Indians are easily identifiable through the name.

Uhh... when have you surveyed native Americans and reached this conclusion they prefer to be called something they most definitely are not?  Stay in England or Germany or where ever you live.  You will offend way to many people here in the United States.

And furthermore the term "Real American" sounds hardly intellectual.

You are not a good arbiter of what sounds "intellectual."  At least Real American is accurate unlike that offensive Indian stuff you keep posting.

Who are the Native Americans you've talked to who are offended at the name "Indian" or call themselves "Real Americans"?

Ex girlfriend.  Any other questions?  And the term the gentleman used was "Red Indian."

Yes, my next question is what nation is your ex-girlfriend from?  I ask because it is very different from those I've met in my own experience.

[Link]

Yes, my next question is what nation is your ex-girlfriend from?  I ask because it is very different from those I've met in my own experience.

Shua, be straight up.  You do not call Native American's "Red Indians."

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Yes, my next question is what nation is your ex-girlfriend from?  I ask because it is very different from those I've met in my own experience.

Shua, be straight up.  You do not call Native American's "Red Indians."

No, but you said that they most definitely do not prefer to be called "Indians." Most I've met do call themselves "Indians" or at least don't have any problem with it, and don't use the term "Real Americans" to contrast themselves with other people.

[Link]

Yes, my next question is what nation is your ex-girlfriend from?  I ask because it is very different from those I've met in my own experience.

Shua, be straight up.  You do not call Native American's "Red Indians."

No, but you said...

That's all this conversation was about.  Thank you.

[jaichind]

I spend most of my middle and high school years in the Greater DC area but I always hated the Redskins as a team and was a Dallas Cowboys fan which in turn made me very unpopular at my middle school.  That said, No, do not change the name.