Throughout the country, the problem of offensive team mascot names referencing Native American descent has become more apparent over the years. The Washington Redskins football team has suffered from accusations of controversy and racism due to their choice of mascot.
Voices for change emerge, such as Congress who wrote a letter to the owner of the Redskins asking for the name to change as some find offense with this racial slur. Junior Zach O’Neil can see how this is a big deal for the Native Americans who are upset because “If it’s really bothering them, it should be changed,” said O’Neil.
Often in America’s history, federal officials have never treated Native Americans well, whether it was racist segregation forcing them off their own lands, denying them government representation, or even persecution.
It is a very popular stereotype that Native Americans are a tough and combative group of people overall. Although ‘Redskins” is seen as a racial reference, some Native Americans do believe the Washington mascot can be recognized as positive for their image, as it represents their strength and courage as a nation.
Using native related names as mascots has become more common in the US because some find it as an honor. These mascots can be associated with the national professional sport level, college, and even high school teams around the country. The name ‘Indians’ remains #7 in a top 20 most popular mascot names survey taken by CBS News. Some other very popular names included the Red Raiders, Fighting Sioux, Marauders, etc. But are these too offensive?
This mascot of the Washington Redskins is a man known as Chief Zee with a feathered war bonnet and tomahawk. The fans love their mascot and attend games dressed up similarly.
Numerous surveys are continuing to occur more frequently. For those who want to know what the specific Native Americans argued, there was a federal survey that went to the native population regarding whether or not Redskins was an acceptable name. Surprisingly, only 9% called it offensive. Junior Jake Horan doesn’t find fault with the team name and frustratedly said, “America is way too sensitive and worried about always being ‘politically correct.’”
However, in the most recent survey given by Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder, the fanbase was asked if the team should change its name. 90% answered that they didn’t want the name to change nor did they find it offensive. Agreeing with this majority opinion, Sophomore Sara Moskowitz says that “it’s a bit extreme to make them change their name since it’s been that way for so long.”
The Washington Redskins has created its own history in sports for over 70 years. Although the name ‘Redskin’ brings up a bittersweet time period of our nation, “it’s an old fashioned name and it is too late to change,” said senior Bryan Lambert.
It will be interesting to see how Congress continues to handle this issue and whether or not they will take the legitimate Redskins survey into account. Is it time for America to rethink many of our sports teams names, or is the change too drastic for the fans to handle? Only time will tell if Native Americans come forth with a majority opinion regarding their upset to turn the many tables of sports teams and how we know them now.