Should the Redskins change their name?

**79TransAm** · 06-15-2013, 12:15 AM

I guess I will offer the dissenting opinion on this one. I think they should change their name and I'm not an overly pc person.

The name came from old owner George Marshall in 1932, who was overtly racist by most accounts. He did not sign his first black player until 1962, 16 years after the nfl started signing black players, and he had to be forced to do so.

The most powerful argument for me however is that you would not have the team be named the washington ret@rd, negros, n words, etc. While I will grant that the term redskins does not hold the level of offense it once did, it's orgins can not be denied.

**konigandy6** · 06-15-2013, 05:24 AM

No one gives the name power until overbearing activists bring it up. And what percentage of people know that little tidbit of the history of the name? It's a slippery slope here.

What about the KC Chiefs? Or the Vikings? I'm of Scandinavian descent and the way it's portrayed is offensive. See how easy that is?

**Zapper2003** · 06-15-2013, 11:19 AM

How about the Steelers? If you can't spell very good and know nothing of history you could very easily interpret this as Stealers, meaning thieves, which is a common stereotype.

**79TransAm** · 06-15-2013, 11:35 AM

The steelers argument is not valid. The vikings were a group of people and was never used as a derogatory term. It's no different than using the name Spartans. The chiefs, Indians, warriors, etc I have no problem with as they are not derogatory terms used against a group of people.

There are ways to use native names in a respectful way (FSU).

I revert back to my original point. We would not name the Dallas Cowboys the Dallas wet backs.

Either way it's not something I'm passionate about, just thought I'd share a different view point.

**konigandy6** · 06-15-2013, 02:06 PM

I went to Central Michigan... and there is a lobby to change their name from the Chippewas... so be as respectful as you like, there are people who find everything they can offensive.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 06-17-2013, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by 79TransAm

The steelers argument is not valid. The vikings were a group of people and was never used as a derogatory term. It's no different than using the name Spartans. The chiefs, Indians, warriors, etc I have no problem with as they are not derogatory terms used against a group of people.

There are ways to use native names in a respectful way (FSU).

I revert back to my original point. We would not name the Dallas Cowboys the Dallas wet backs.

Either way it's not something I'm passionate about, just thought I'd share a different view point.

Almost everything can be derogatory/disrespectful in the right context. Call an indian guy chief and he'll be offended. Call a weak guy warrior and it'll hurt his feelers. Call a cowboy an indian and he'll shoot ya with his six shooter. It goes on and on bro...bottom line you can't please everyone so don't try.

**GTP231** · 06-18-2013, 08:39 AM

Maybe they'll suck less if they change their name

**ls1camino** · 06-18-2013, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by GTP231

Maybe they'll suck less if they change their name

***SMWS6TA*** · 06-18-2013, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by GTP231

Maybe they'll suck less if they change their name

But they still win more then the sAints do...

**Zinergy** · 06-18-2013, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by 79TransAm

The steelers argument is not valid. The vikings were a group of people and was never used as a derogatory term. It's no different than using the name Spartans. The chiefs, Indians, warriors, etc I have no problem with as they are not derogatory terms used against a group of people.

There are ways to use native names in a respectful way (FSU).

I revert back to my original point. We would not name the Dallas Cowboys the Dallas wet backs.

Either way it's not something I'm passionate about, just thought I'd share a different view point.

Calling them Indians is highly offensive to some. That is why the PC term is Native Americans. Personally I feel the owner and fans should be free to make that choice.

***SMWS6TA*** · 06-18-2013, 09:26 AM

6 1/2 more weeks till pre-season

**79TransAm** · 06-18-2013, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Zinergy

Calling them Indians is highly offensive to some. That is why the PC term is Native Americans. Personally I feel the owner and fans should be free to make that choice.

I don't disagree. I'm not suggestingtthat they be forced to change the name, I'm saying the right thing for them to do is to do so.

Some feel that if they move back to dc and use federal land they should be forced to do so. I'm not sure I like that idea and ad I said before I'm not overly passionate about it.

I like in a area where 2 local high schools changed their names recently and the debate has been going on for decades.

My argument keeps coming back to we wouldn't have the washington afro men as a team, why the redskins?

**Zinergy** · 06-18-2013, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by 79TransAm

I don't disagree. I'm not suggestingtthat they be forced to change the name, I'm saying the right thing for them to do is to do so.

Some feel that if they move back to dc and use federal land they should be forced to do so. I'm not sure I like that idea and ad I said before I'm not overly passionate about it.

I like in a area where 2 local high schools changed their names recently and the debate has been going on for decades.

My argument keeps coming back to we wouldn't have the washington afro men as a team, why the redskins?

I have no problem with a team called the afro men or the black skins or even the honkys or micks or pollocks or krauts(my three groups of origin). If everyone just stopped being so butt hurt all the time everyone could go one enjoying their day or worrying about something actually important.