(photo by sportslogo.net)
The Washington Redskins nickname change conversation is nothing new. Activists, Native American Leaders and supporters have continuously fought to change the name of the nation’s capital football team every off-season over the years. However the topic this off-season has never stayed so relevant. Native Americans consider the “R-Word” a derogatory and culturally offensive word no different from what Blacks will consider the “N-Word”.
When confronted with the name change proposition Redskins owner Dan Snyder recently said that “he will never change the name”. On Tuesday May 28, 2013, 10 members of Congress sent letters to the organization, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and all other NFL teams urging them to change the name. You know things are serious when the national government gets involved. Not only did those members of Congress voice their displeasure with the name to Snyder but they “CC” his boss and everybody in the office.
Snyder needs to embrace change and just change the name already. The Redskins name is socially offensive, old, and played out. This guy is just downright dismissing the pleas of the government and it’s not even for traditionally reasons. It’s already a new regime with RGIII behind center; Snyder might as well change the name now.
All in all Dan Synder will not change the name unless the government intervenes even more. He simply will not do it, but not because of racism. It’s not pride. It’s not because of tradition or the team’s storied history. It’s because of money. Changing all the trademarks would cost the organization a lot of money and at the end of the day football isn’t just a sport, it’s a business.
2ndLookTv 
I thought I was the only one in this area who understood this to be offensive. Fox 5 did a report on this and everyone they interviewed said they don’t think it should be changed. They weren’t offended…but, of course, they weren’t Native American either. On one hand, I understand that the Redskins franchise is a business and changing the name would definitely cost, but on the other hand imagine if the name was “N*ggers” or even “Black Skins.” Would have been changed decades ago…
I agree completely. I think everybody that was asked is just going to ride with their football and the organization’s stance to not change it regardless of how they really feel. In such a socially sensitive society we live in today I’m surprised it had not been changed when first brought up. We live in a society were “no homo” is a gay slur but “redskins” isn’t a racial slur? Seems as though we’re only socially sensitive to some demographics like gays,women,black, and whites but not Native Americans. SMH