w84it
Well-known member
Redhawks > Redtails
For most Native Americans, there's no more offensive name in English. That non-Native folks think they get to measure or decide what offends us is adding insult to injury.
You say the name isn't offensive. I think it's time to prove it. Let's let the tailgate drop and the bullshit stop. Instead of proclaiming how "respectful" the name "redskin" is in a region with an indigenous population of just 0.6 percent, I am inviting you to take a road trip with me. I am asking you to step out of your gated community and roll with me Midnight Run–style to a bar on the Pine Ridge reservation among the Black Hills in the great state of South Dakota. Once there, you will walk proudly through the door, stand tall in a beautiful burgundy-and-gold Starter jacket and your famous Redskins belt buckle, and sing our shared fight song, "Hail to the Redskins." Explain the rich history of the team to all present. Tell them about how it's really a tribute, as your former vice-president Karl Swanson said, "derived from the Native American tradition for warriors to daub their bodies with red clay before battle." Make it plain that you mean no disrespect, and then let's roll the cameras and make YouTube magic.
I fear you'll find out the hard way that if your team name only exists because there happened to have been a genocide, then it might be time to think up a new name. I'm also afraid that when our experiment is done, you may need a trip to the dentist. It shouldn't be too bad. After all, you can use caps.
I kind of think Redtails would be awesome.
Why are we still debating this? It's not changing. Now or as long as Dan Snyder is the owner, which will probably be forever.
BBD...I have been curious since you have been so outspoken about this. What is you opinion of the Atlanta Braves doing the mock war chant and tomahawk chop during games? Would that be akin to a team being named the Atlanta African-Americans (a less offensive name) but handing out fried chicken and watermelon during critical points of the game?
I go back and forth about the tomahawk chop. It's not an easy question. There is no way it's on the same level as fried chicken and watermelon, but at the same time, it kind of perpetuates the image of Native Americans as violent savages. But I don't think it's as cut and dried as other things in the sports world. For example, I was against the "Screaming Indian" logo that they thought about bringing back for BP caps this year. I also don't like the Cleveland Indians caricature logo.
You sound like a Redskin name defender. Either it's offensive or its not...right?
The NFL will make Danny change the name in less than 10 years. Fact.