Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemnseven
In your opinion it's offensive. In my opinion it's not. I always heard it referred to the face paint Indians used to apply before going into battle. I am aware that the phrase 'red skin' was at one time used as a derogatory term, but there could be two different meanings.
But here's the key -- why should one party who claims to be offended always be in the position to dictate over the offending party and force them to change or cease what they were doing based solely on the perception of the one who was offended?
It's the principle that would get people upset if the offended parties got their way and succeeded in forcing the Redskins to change their name and logo.
Can we all get together as Redskins fans and suddenly become offended at the name "Cowboys" and blue star logos? What would prevent the Cowboys from being obligated to conceed to our demands?
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In my opionion i dont give a crap. It has nothing to do with me, that's the point. The name Redskins has an ethnically specific context which has been deemed to be offensive by many, ergo the repeated efforts to change it. I just think there is something inherently patronizing about someone from outside of that ethnic group dictating to them what they should and should not be offended by. And I don't think I really need to take the time to break down the differences between Cowboys and Redskins right? That argument makes no sense. People arent suddenly becoming offended by the nickname.
But if someone told me that a lawn ornament I was displaying offended them for some reason I didn't understand, my reaction would be, well I think you may be overreacting, however I am going to err on the side of not offending you and get a different ornament. It's just an ornament after all.
As a Jew people frequently make comments that do legitimitaly offend me; but what bothers me more is their response when I point out to them that they should not say whatever it was they said. They respond, ooh, here comes the PC police, everybody gotta get in line. I think many of the responses surrounding this debate are similar.
And by the way, Redskins referers to the scalps of Indians which were rewarded with bounty payments.