Quote:
Originally Posted by Paintrain
But I do feel this way, if Native Americans, represented by a body (group, organization, etc), state that the name is offensive and a slur, then it should be VOLUNTARILY changed by the team. If the team isn't willing to do so, then bad on them but so be it.
The people whining are constantly comparing the name to a much harsher, REAL racial epitaph...nigger. It's a word I'd never use but we also can't be afraid to acknowledge it's horrible existence in discussions like this. Has anyone EVER heard someone who hates Native Americans yell "you Redskin!" at a Native American? No. It's not used that way. It's not a racist term unless someone distorts it to be. I believe these people always crying racism and viewing everything in racial terms are the REAL racists. People like me who view and treat everyone equally...we don't think like that, "is this word racist...is that word racist..." When I see RGIII play, and when I watched Doug Williams play, I don't believe I ever thought, "wow, he's a great black QB". They were just great QBs, period. It takes a disturbed mind to walk through life seeing everything and everyone in terms of skin color.
Anyone who thinks changing the name (rebranding) will damage the team or the merchandising is fooling themselves. Fans/consumers like nothing better than fresh, hot, new. Especially if there's a cause behind it and a marketable face (RGIII) with it, Snyder would be swimming in the dough.
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I'd agree, if actual Native Americans were protesting in the streets...sure, change it. We'd owe them the respect. However, that's not what's happening, it's the PC crowd trying to get more control over our lives. After they get their way, they'll move on to the next target without blinking an eye.
The new name could be a flop. The idiots trying to get our name changed have been suggesting names like Pigskins, Redskin Potatoes and Redtails. Ive heard Senators and Federals which are downright offensive to me because honoring the Government that forced us to throw our team's tradition away is insulting us and giving them undue credit.
Warriors isn't too bad and we could use the spear helmet I guess...but they'll still be the Redskins to me. Hogs...at least that would have some actual meaning for the fans but still an inferior name to Redskins.
We could always go Washington Americans and rightfully steal the America's Team identity from an impotent Dallas team.