Cheeeeeeeeers and Happy Hump Day Chuckleheads!!
Whether you are a sports fan or not, or more particularly, a football fan or not, you probably have heard that once again as happens every so often, that some folks want the Washington Redskins to change the name of their NFL franchise.
Every few years or so, this Native American sports moniker issue comes up, and has upon occasion come up with other sports teams from the High School level up to and including the professional level.
Well…As typical, the Washington Redskins are on the hot bench again as they are being attacked and ambushed through every media outlet known to man, by the heap big Oneida Indian Nation of upstate New York.
The Oneida Nation has spent much wampum buying ads that tout their outrage over the name “Redskins”, and are demanding that Washington Redskins majority owner Dan Snyder, change the name of his team…a team and business, that he owns…to something else.
Some members of Congress and other elected officials have even decided to walk down the Anti-Redskins political correctness Trail of Tears and have sent letters and smoke signals to Snyder asking him to change the name.
Hell, just the other day, even President Obama was asked whether the Redskins should change their name. The President replied that if he was the owner, he would consider changing it…perhaps…maybe mull it over.
Translation?
“I probably would, but since Northern Virginia and D.C. are bluer than hell electoral wise, love their Redskins, and don’t want a name change, Ima gonna do a rain dance around this issue. Now pass me the Peace Pipe because the government shutdown and the looming debt ceiling crisis make me want to smoke.”
Listen…
I am sure to some Native Americans, the word may be offensive, but the word in its origin (nearly 400 years ago) was not, and was only made derogatory for a short period of time by a couple of authors in the early 20th Century.
Like most Americans, and most Native Americans, when I hear the term, the Washington Redskins, I don’t think of rabid American Indians on a scalping binge, I think of a lackluster NFL football team, and that’s all.
On the other side of the argument, I hear folks say…
“Well, you’d be up in arms if they were called, The Washington Niggers!!”
To which I say…Yes, I would be up in arms, and I wouldn’t watch them…and neither would most other Americans, and the franchise wouldn’t survive, because that term connotes nothing but hate.
Redskins on the other hand? Eh…Look at the logo…It’s not a disrespectful logo.
At least here in West Central Ohio where I have grown up and spent my entire life, Indians are revered. And I say Indians because we don’t call them Native Americans much. We call them Indians and their people are a rich ingredient of our history.
This area is the cradle of the Shawnee, the Miami, the Ottawa, the Delaware, and the Wyandot tribes among others. It’s home to Tecumseh, to Cornstalk, and to Blue Jacket, and that is why the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL are thusly named. Great leaders of men, one and all. And we respect them here in Ohio, and...
I am pretty sure that Washington Redskins fans have no ill will against “the Red Man” either. Win or lose, they love their Redskins.
Dan Snyder can do whatever he wants, which of course knowing Dan Snyder he will, but I say keep the name the same. It’s a nickname and the logo is much more respectful than that of the Cleveland Indians…
However, if pressure comes to bear and Snyder can take it no longer, he could always change the Redskins name to something else that involves animals or nature, and do it with a big ol' screw you to the PC Police…
Something like...
The Washington Sitting Bulls.
The Washington Red Clouds, or…my favorite…
The Washington Crazy Horses!!
Of course, if RG III gets hurts again, Snyder could always name his team…
The Washington Wounded Knees.
Cheers!!
Matt-Man
mattmaniws@ymail.com
@mattman_iws
My Facebook Page
Every few years or so, this Native American sports moniker issue comes up, and has upon occasion come up with other sports teams from the High School level up to and including the professional level.
Well…As typical, the Washington Redskins are on the hot bench again as they are being attacked and ambushed through every media outlet known to man, by the heap big Oneida Indian Nation of upstate New York.
The Oneida Nation has spent much wampum buying ads that tout their outrage over the name “Redskins”, and are demanding that Washington Redskins majority owner Dan Snyder, change the name of his team…a team and business, that he owns…to something else.
Some members of Congress and other elected officials have even decided to walk down the Anti-Redskins political correctness Trail of Tears and have sent letters and smoke signals to Snyder asking him to change the name.
Hell, just the other day, even President Obama was asked whether the Redskins should change their name. The President replied that if he was the owner, he would consider changing it…perhaps…maybe mull it over.
Translation?
“I probably would, but since Northern Virginia and D.C. are bluer than hell electoral wise, love their Redskins, and don’t want a name change, Ima gonna do a rain dance around this issue. Now pass me the Peace Pipe because the government shutdown and the looming debt ceiling crisis make me want to smoke.”
Listen…
I am sure to some Native Americans, the word may be offensive, but the word in its origin (nearly 400 years ago) was not, and was only made derogatory for a short period of time by a couple of authors in the early 20th Century.
Like most Americans, and most Native Americans, when I hear the term, the Washington Redskins, I don’t think of rabid American Indians on a scalping binge, I think of a lackluster NFL football team, and that’s all.
On the other side of the argument, I hear folks say…
“Well, you’d be up in arms if they were called, The Washington Niggers!!”
To which I say…Yes, I would be up in arms, and I wouldn’t watch them…and neither would most other Americans, and the franchise wouldn’t survive, because that term connotes nothing but hate.
Redskins on the other hand? Eh…Look at the logo…It’s not a disrespectful logo.
This area is the cradle of the Shawnee, the Miami, the Ottawa, the Delaware, and the Wyandot tribes among others. It’s home to Tecumseh, to Cornstalk, and to Blue Jacket, and that is why the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL are thusly named. Great leaders of men, one and all. And we respect them here in Ohio, and...
I am pretty sure that Washington Redskins fans have no ill will against “the Red Man” either. Win or lose, they love their Redskins.
Dan Snyder can do whatever he wants, which of course knowing Dan Snyder he will, but I say keep the name the same. It’s a nickname and the logo is much more respectful than that of the Cleveland Indians…
Something like...
The Washington Sitting Bulls.
The Washington Red Clouds, or…my favorite…
The Washington Crazy Horses!!
Of course, if RG III gets hurts again, Snyder could always name his team…
The Washington Wounded Knees.
Cheers!!
Matt-Man
mattmaniws@ymail.com
@mattman_iws
My Facebook Page
4 comments:
"The Washington Wounded Knees" Hey-OOOOOOOO!
I still agree with the late, great Tony Kornheiser who says that the Redskins should just put a redskin potato on the side of the helmet and keep the name. Seems simple enough.
Jay
Jay: Ha...I was very proud of that Wounded Knee line...Thank you. Cheers Jayman!!
Matt-Man
How about the Washington Custers? That should make the Indians happy.
Mike: That's not a bad idea Mike; although we Ohioans get a bit upset when his name comes up. Cheers Mike!!
Matt-Man
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