Do you honestly and truly believe the term "redskins" was not a derogatory term for native americans? Forget football & tradition for a second. This isn't a word of respect. This is isn't just the name of something, like "Seminoles" or "Native American". This is a phrase meant to insult or marginalize an entire race of people.
It only takes a small minority to take offense to it apparently... I have a feeling I can find someone in America who finds it offensive.
I have to disagree with you, it was not until latter where people started to think of this as a racial slur. Its original use was by American Indians themselves. It is a name you had to earn, like a badge of honor. It is my personal belief people give words power, and all these people crying are making it far worse then it is. I myself have Native American blood running through my veins. As do my children, I do not find it offensive and find it quite funny others do.
Redskins was a name given to the strongest warriors/hunters in the tribe, it was an honor to be called this name.
That was how it started. That's not what it came to be. A book, copyrighted in 1915: "Redskin Rimes", is a good example. http://books.google.com/books?id=T_UpAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=redskin&hl=en&sa=X&ei=InopUtafG47M9ATrbg&ved=0CEQQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=redskin&f=false Its an entire book of poetry meant to insult and marginalize Native Americans. Point being, like many things...whether they be words or inventions or political theories, they can start out meaning one thing and then become something else. The language is literally littered with 1000's of examples.
Um, ok, Yes. Is that direct enough? Guarantee you some people some where would argue that it's a term based off skin color rather than war paint. It's all in the eye of the beholder... no different than Redskins is my point.
Sorry, I will take the word of my uncle, an active tribal leader of the Algonquian tribe part of the Powhatan Nation, over that of a book. Of course they do not say "Redskins" per say, but this is the rough translation into the English language. In fact, as an added irony he himself is a Washington Redskin fan.
With this form of thinking, I think the word cracker should be removed from use and it is a racial slur towards white people. It no longer can represent the delicious little baked flour square we use with meals as a side. Also, white bread must go, Horns can no longer honk I find it offensive that it refers to honky. can't you guys see how stupid this is? If we travel this path soon we will no longer be able to speak without offending someone.
Its obviously not a derogatory term and has never been. The problem is you think this is issue where someone just decided, out of the blue, to be upset about a word, instead of understanding that since the late 1800's this specific word was actually commonly used as a racist slur. I'm sorry you don't understand the difference, but your personal ignorance of things like this has no bearing on the reality of things.
Nothing I said argues with what your uncle says. i agreed it started as a positive expression. The book I linked isn't a bible on the subject. Its just a striking example of how far back the word became derogatory.
Point taken, but why is it linked to your point (racial slur) and not mine (proud and respectful)? I think the person(s) who decided to use this term would have done so with a prideful intent.
I have to disagree, only some use it as a racial slur, my uncle and his tribe use it as sign of respect. I just think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion. This does make me wish I would have grown up closer to my native American roots, but like my father said I would have been shunned within the tribe because I took after my European roots and look white. So should I be offended that I am rejected by part of my own blood line? Only my oldest brother and sister look Native American, I took after the Scottish side for the most part. My father and Uncle both have strong American Indian features and my Grandfather looked pur Native American. It works both ways.
Which tribe? There are hundreds of tribes. Do all tribes feel the same about this? In the tribe you refer to, who gave the name Redskin to the strongest warriors? Others in the tribe I presume?
The Algonquian tribe part of the Powhatan Nation. I do not know if all tribes feel this way, you do not know that they don't.
Yes, that's the issue at hand here. The Redskins are being sued because in this country you cannot trademark racial slurs. First amendment allows the team to name themselves whatever they want. They can stay named the Redskins but they can't trademark it. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Apparently some do find the word offensive, or the issue would never have came up in the first place.
If you got time: http://www.ncai.org/resources/ncai-publications/Ending_the_Legacy_of_Racism.pdf Also: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/07/nfl-to-meet-with-oneida-nation/related/
All I hear from people who are in the "Pro Redskins" camp is that the name shouldn't be changed, but they have not said why the name should stay.
Change the name back to Washington Braves. It's what the name was before 1933. It honors fierceness and bravery rather than being a skin-color racial slur, it's equally historic and traditional, and the logos wouldn't have to change.
Again, the Onion nails it: http://www.theonion.com/articles/redskins-kike-owner-refuses-to-change-teams-offens,34292/ As a note, the article uses racial slurs other than "Redskin".