Washington Redtails.....Discuss

[tBBP]

And here we go again...

[kmccarthy27]

And here we go again...

Sorry

[chuckymack]

Well, hey, at least the kid apologized for it.

It's real easy, kiddos:

REDSKINS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

INDIANS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

DRUNKEN MICKS is racist.

FIGHTING IRISH is not.

[nuordr]

Well, hey, at least the kid apologized for it.

It's real easy, kiddos:

REDSKINS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

INDIANS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

DRUNKEN MICKS is racist.

FIGHTING IRISH is not.

That is an opinion only...some people feel that the name Rednecks or Hillbillies is racist, but do you see actually Rednecks and Hillbillies complaining about it? No, you don't because they love who they are and they don't feel the need to whine and cry about it. The name Redskins to me is a way of honoring the past Native Americans aka Indians like Cleveland calls them.

[NJTank]

I agree with RGIII

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III took to Twitter on Tuesday to complain about the “tyranny of political correctness” he believes is holding American culture “hostage.”

“In a land of freedom we are held hostage by the tyranny of political correctness,” the NFL player wrote on his official Twitter account.

He followed up the post with a definition of the word, writing: “Tyranny- ‘a condition imposed by some outside agency or force<living under the tyranny of the clock’ or political correctness…”

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/05/01/rgiii-americans-held-hostage-by-the-tyranny-of-political-correctness/

[MattMilone]

That is an opinion only...some people feel that the name Rednecks or Hillbillies is racist, but do you see actually Rednecks and Hillbillies complaining about it? No, you don't because they love who they are and they don't feel the need to whine and cry about it. The name Redskins to me is a way of honoring the past Native Americans aka Indians like Cleveland calls them.

So native americans don't love them selves enough? Thanks, didn't know that.

The way non-persecuted people cling onto hilariously irrelevant things is always surprising. One group of people is slaughtered for centuries and forced into ghettos without any chance of the "American" experience that many others are granted solely based on birthright . . . but you know, randomdude512, wants to keep it a sports teams name that exploits that entire situation. A bunch of guys running around a field with an inflatable ball is more important.

You obviously have your priorities straight.

[dgthree]

Well, hey, at least the kid apologized for it.

It's real easy, kiddos:

REDSKINS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

INDIANS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

DRUNKEN MICKS is racist.

FIGHTING IRISH is not.

I am on my phone, but I will post MORE proof to my statements when I get a chance. The saying that Indians is racist is a little wrong. There have been numerous studies that show indigenous populations in the United States actually prefer American Indian over Native Americans. Further, while there are groups that dislike the name Redskins, there are numerous American Indian groups that have come in support (With support for the name ranging between 75-90% based on the polling). The support is because the Washington Redskins, originally the Boston Redskins, had an American Indian coach and the name was used to honor the coach, it was not meant to be negative, derogatory or insulting.

I will counter my own point with at one point certain terms used for African-Americans and Black-Americans were not derogatory, negative, or insulting, to the general populous but over time that perception changed. For example, Negro was "the best option," but now both AA/BA, and White Americans would agree that the term has a different/bad connotation attached to it. So I can understand how the argument holds for the name Redskins. But, remember, the name used by the team is not Scalpers, Savages, or anything that is worse and hated by American Indian populations.

I think the topic is interesting and I 21st century Americans are different people than were 20th century Americans who helped found and support the team in the 1930s. Either way, I think that just saying it is racist or American Indians like it/dislike it is ridiculous without showing proof (scientifically). I can point to an article with one American Indian saying I hate the name and it gets press in the Washington Post, but that is not the same as studies with large sample sizes.

cited:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/08/17/indian.wars030402/index.html

http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/Downloads/Political_Communication/naes/2004_03_redskins_09-24_pr.pdf (more scientific and accurate cross-sample/poll conducted).

[Audiodrama]

Here's an idea. How about everyone shut the up and focus on something more important than the nickname of a football team. Christ.

[nuordr]

That is an opinion only...some people feel that the name Rednecks or Hillbillies is racist, but do you see actually Rednecks and Hillbillies complaining about it? No, you don't because they love who they are and they don't feel the need to whine and cry about it. The name Redskins to me is a way of honoring the past Native Americans aka Indians like Cleveland calls them.

So native americans don't love them selves enough? Thanks, didn't know that.

The way non-persecuted people cling onto hilariously irrelevant things is always surprising. One group of people is slaughtered for centuries and forced into ghettos without any chance of the "American" experience that many others are granted solely based on birthright . . . but you know, randomdude512, wants to keep it a sports teams name that exploits that entire situation. A bunch of guys running around a field with an inflatable ball is more important.

You obviously have your priorities straight.

My priorities is simply...grow some thick skin and quit complaining and trying to change the world to your liking! People get way to offended these days and I can only imagine how crappy it is going to be with future generations.

[DC in Da House w/o a Doubt]

The name on this guy's jersey represents a group that if given their way would have seen him working in the fields as a slave.

That seems kind of messed up.

[DC in Da House w/o a Doubt]

I'm all for changing the Redskins name, but I haven't heard a suitable replacement until now.

Redtails works for me. You keep the Red part of the nickname, you can keep the team colors, and you honor a group of brave war heroes instead of disparaging an entire race. I say go for it.

Would the team have to cut all non-African American players at that point?

Yes because the only players who have played for the Redskins in their history have been Native American.

Redtails might make for a fine name if the team was based in Montgomery or Birmingham, AL, but the Tuskegee Airmen have no connection to the DC area. And if you named it after the Tuskegee Airmen nickname, then all of the other white airmen, who might have made a larger contribution to the war and are still around, will be offended for not being recognized. You're essentially trying to make up for history by propping them up higher than they should be otherwise.

And in any event, the team doesn't even play their games in the District, so whatever the council does has no bearing. There is still freedom of expression in this country, even if a handful of people don't like it. I mean you would think Indians would be all in an uproar about the nickname, but they don't seem to be. It's more whites than anyone, which really doesn't make any sense since it doesn't impact them. If people object that strongly to the nickname, then don't patronize the business. If enough people do that, then the owners will change their name.

That's a couple of false statements right there.

http://www.washingto...ed-degradation/

http://www.washingto...very-offensive/

http://www.nbcwashin...t-59323632.html

http://cronkitenewso...-redskins-name/

http://espn.go.com/n...ademark-hearing

http://onlyagame.wbu...skins-trademark

http://www.foxnews.c...name-go-before/

http://articles.lati...s/sp-plaschke18

You get the point. The people the team is named after say the name is racist. If they're the ones saying the name is racist then you kinda have to listen to them.

But of course the one's against the name are going to speak out. You think the native americans that are indifferent on the subject are going to have rallies or speeches saying that they don't care about the name? The people in the articles you linked don't represent the entire native american population unfortunately.

This is the only survey I can find on the matter, they surveyed Native Americans and asked them whether or not the name offended them. It's from 2004, but there doesn't appear to be a more recent survey out there. The results aren't even close.

http://sportsillustr...ins.indians.ap/

[BrySmalls]

The reason the DC government is getting involved is because the Redskins want to buy the property RFK Stadium/DC Armory stands on from the city to build a Dome Stadium so that Snyder can have a Super Bowl in DC. The city figures they can leverage this to get the name changed as part of the conditions.

I think that's the only reason for the name change as well. If that's the case, then they (the DC Government) should have never let the Redskins leave the District back in 1997.

[MattMilone]

That is an opinion only...some people feel that the name Rednecks or Hillbillies is racist, but do you see actually Rednecks and Hillbillies complaining about it? No, you don't because they love who they are and they don't feel the need to whine and cry about it. The name Redskins to me is a way of honoring the past Native Americans aka Indians like Cleveland calls them.

So native americans don't love them selves enough? Thanks, didn't know that.

The way non-persecuted people cling onto hilariously irrelevant things is always surprising. One group of people is slaughtered for centuries and forced into ghettos without any chance of the "American" experience that many others are granted solely based on birthright . . . but you know, randomdude512, wants to keep it a sports teams name that exploits that entire situation. A bunch of guys running around a field with an inflatable ball is more important.

You obviously have your priorities straight.

My priorities is simply...grow some thick skin and quit complaining and trying to change the world to your liking! People get way to offended these days and I can only imagine how crappy it is going to be with future generations.

Stop generalizing, be specific. We are talking about the name Redskins, and how it relates to the exploitation of the genocide of Native American people. If a bunch of Native Americans stand up and say it offends them, are you saying they should "grow tougher skin?"

Onto something more relevant: are there any links or articles that show any indication about the ownership's feelings or reactions to a potential name change? I've been alive an admittedly short period of time, but have never really seen them say anything about the topic.

[Foxxtrot44]

Well, hey, at least the kid apologized for it.

It's real easy, kiddos:

REDSKINS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

INDIANS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

DRUNKEN MICKS is racist.

FIGHTING IRISH is not.

You'd better alert these people about your middle option.

I'm not feeling this name suggestion for the same reason as many here...it's a cool name, but why ignore all the history and symbolism that DC is rife with? Plus it totally infringes on my suggested WWII aviation alternative to my dear Utes' nickname

[BrandMooreArt]

i wouldnt mind Redtails, i think it works well for a replacement name. If i could pick a name myself, i would go with Redhawks

but the other choice is to do a complete rebrand. new name, colors, logo, etc. it might be a better move to let all of the Redskins history be history than patch it up with a new name and logo update.

[Sport]

I'm all for changing the Redskins name, but I haven't heard a suitable replacement until now.

Redtails works for me. You keep the Red part of the nickname, you can keep the team colors, and you honor a group of brave war heroes instead of disparaging an entire race. I say go for it.

Would the team have to cut all non-African American players at that point?

Yes because the only players who have played for the Redskins in their history have been Native American.

Redtails might make for a fine name if the team was based in Montgomery or Birmingham, AL, but the Tuskegee Airmen have no connection to the DC area. And if you named it after the Tuskegee Airmen nickname, then all of the other white airmen, who might have made a larger contribution to the war and are still around, will be offended for not being recognized. You're essentially trying to make up for history by propping them up higher than they should be otherwise.

And in any event, the team doesn't even play their games in the District, so whatever the council does has no bearing. There is still freedom of expression in this country, even if a handful of people don't like it. I mean you would think Indians would be all in an uproar about the nickname, but they don't seem to be. It's more whites than anyone, which really doesn't make any sense since it doesn't impact them. If people object that strongly to the nickname, then don't patronize the business. If enough people do that, then the owners will change their name.

That's a couple of false statements right there.

http://www.washingto...ed-degradation/

http://www.washingto...very-offensive/

http://www.nbcwashin...t-59323632.html

http://cronkitenewso...-redskins-name/

http://espn.go.com/n...ademark-hearing

http://onlyagame.wbu...skins-trademark

http://www.foxnews.c...name-go-before/

http://articles.lati...s/sp-plaschke18

You get the point. The people the team is named after say the name is racist. If they're the ones saying the name is racist then you kinda have to listen to them.

But of course the one's against the name are going to speak out. You think the native americans that are indifferent on the subject are going to have rallies or speeches saying that they don't care about the name? The people in the articles you linked don't represent the entire native american population unfortunately.

This is the only survey I can find on the matter, they surveyed Native Americans and asked them whether or not the name offended them. It's from 2004, but there doesn't appear to be a more recent survey out there. The results aren't even close.

http://sportsillustr...ins.indians.ap/

Maybe those fighting it is a vocal minority, but I think if you're in a position where even a small number of people think your name is racist and should be changed then you have a bad name and you should change it.

If DC got an expansion team in 2013 and named them the Redskins, would it fly? Of course not. So why is it acceptable for a team to exist with that name in today's game?

[OnWis97]

Well, hey, at least the kid apologized for it.

It's real easy, kiddos:

REDSKINS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

INDIANS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

DRUNKEN MICKS is racist.

FIGHTING IRISH is not.

That is an opinion only...some people feel that the name Rednecks or Hillbillies is racist, but do you see actually Rednecks and Hillbillies complaining about it? No, you don't because they love who they are and they don't feel the need to whine and cry about it. The name Redskins to me is a way of honoring the past Native Americans aka Indians like Cleveland calls them.

I'm sorry. I was not aware that there were teams with these names.

[Quillz]

The name has a nice ring to it, but stop with the madness people. PC names are stupid, and if we are able to accept gay people, why can't we keep the name? It makes no sense, and the name DOES NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT offend people.

Except for the part where many people are offended by the name.

[OnWis97]

I agree with RGIII

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III took to Twitter on Tuesday to complain about the “tyranny of political correctness” he believes is holding American culture “hostage.”

“In a land of freedom we are held hostage by the tyranny of political correctness,” the NFL player wrote on his official Twitter account.

He followed up the post with a definition of the word, writing: “Tyranny- ‘a condition imposed by some outside agency or force<living under the tyranny of the clock’ or political correctness…”

http://washington.cb...al-correctness/

In a land of freedom, the Redskins have the right to have that name. In a land of freedom, we have the right to criticize them. Without such dialog change does not happen. And to put pressure on them. I know I'd never buy "Redskins" gear (That that I'd buy "redtails" gear either, since it's not my team)

[nuordr]

Well, hey, at least the kid apologized for it.

It's real easy, kiddos:

REDSKINS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

INDIANS is racist.

NATIVE AMERICANS is not.

DRUNKEN MICKS is racist.

FIGHTING IRISH is not.

That is an opinion only...some people feel that the name Rednecks or Hillbillies is racist, but do you see actually Rednecks and Hillbillies complaining about it? No, you don't because they love who they are and they don't feel the need to whine and cry about it. The name Redskins to me is a way of honoring the past Native Americans aka Indians like Cleveland calls them.

I'm sorry. I was not aware that there were teams with these names.

I wish it was only team names that people complained about as it would be less complaining, but people these days complain about everything.