As a Native American

[Offside Number 76]

I've got these two really good friends, each of whom are half Cherokee.

 

One hates the Redskins, and she spends a significant portion of her time--professional time and free time--trying to eradicate such nicknames from sports.

 

The other moved to DC about a year ago, and adopted the Redskins as her favorite team (she never lived in an NFL market before).

 

I never know which one is right. Personally, I do not like the name "Redskins," but I do not have a problem, with, say "Chiefs." Or "Fighting Irish."

 

I guess the middle ground (between my two friends) is probably the right idea.

[evilbuffalobob]

I'm totally with you. I definitely think the name should be changed to District of Columbia Redskins.

[The Dean]

I'm totally with you. I definitely think the name should be changed to District of Columbia Redskins.

 

 

 

EDIT:

 

Would the DC Crazy Injuns work for you, too?

[Rob's House]

Many estimates say up to 70,000 years. We calously wiped them off the face of the earth in a quick 250. Anyone who has no sensitivity in this matter is really ignorant.

 

And to answer your question literally- Mesopotamia?

 

I don't think this word means what you think it does.

[dollars 2 donuts]

 

I'm an Italian/Sicilian American and I hate the Redskins.

 

I can think of no more disrespectful and derogatory team name in all of American sport.

 

Could you imagine the Harlem Blackskins or the San Francisco Yellows?

 

 

I cringe every time I hear their name....oh well.

 

Disgusting, really.

 

 

Deano, I'm Italian and Sicilian as well! Sicilian on my mothers side; my father always said he slept with one eye open.

 

 

Yeah, contrary to what Metzellars posted early, this is one red dog conservative republican who very much agrees that the name is offensive...i don't know if it will ever be changed, but i don't have any problem if it does.

[bowery4]

It is very offensive but read this thread and see the problem (most people just don't care all that much). They will never get boycotted because of it, so it will not change. I hate the name and the team. After last night I am not to thrilled by the Bills either but for different reasons.

[Bob in STL]

It *looks* like a bottle cap.

I was a metaphorical critique of really lousy graphic design,and illustration-and there is a lot more of it in the sports world in general......

Remember the original Raven's logo, for example????????

 

I guess it looks like a bottle cap to some. I never saw that. I could see the "sun/hoop thing" plain as day. My opinion is that the Dolphins logo is crappy for a sports team. Same with their team colors and uni's.

 

It sounds like you think most of the sport logos are bad? I do like the simpler designs. Too much detail is not needed in a sports logo (for my taste). The Chicago Black Hawks are an exception. I do like the colors and detail in it. (Don't mean to tread on the politically correct topic again.)

 

I remember the original Raven logo, the "B" in the shield with the wings. It was ok I guess. What does that have to do with your point though?

[The Dean]

The Bills logo has that red stripe to make the buffalo look 'fast' (I guess)

 

 

I call it "the ribbon" as it looks like the Buffalo is wearing a ribbon. I know it is supposed to be a speed graphic (like motion lines), but it sucks at that, IMO. Bring back the standing Buffalo!

[The Dean]

...I wouldn't mind have a '65 Ford Fairlane with a 390 under the hood sitting in the garage.....

I do like tradition, and I'd be O.K. with seeing the old uniforms,and helmet make a comeback.

 

 

The Fairlane never did anything for me back in the day. I always thought it was a very bland and basic car.

 

Now I think they look pretty cool. I especially like the convertible.

[Sabre Bill]

The Redskins and the Seminoles aren't derogatory terms. They are synonymous with football. You should not take offence with that, but rather feel pride.

 

I think people are too sensitive these days.

 

 

 

-1

[Sabre Bill]

Fighting Irish

 

Nuff said...At least its not the "Drunken Indians" shut up and grow a sack...there's not a people alive who haven't been persecuted sometime somewhere in this crazy mixed up world of ours

 

 

-1

[Sabre Bill]

I am not Native American and I too find the team name very offensive.

 

 

 

+1

[RkFast]

With all due respect, as an Italian American, I dont wanna !@#$ing hear your whining.

 

More or less on a daily I gotta see the latest "dumb Italian du jour" trotted out on TV like some circus seal for our entertainment. If it aint The Sopranos, Im subjected to "Snookie"...or some cafone !@#$ from Jersey who they call a "real housewife." And eeeeverybody laughs along. And when all those shows go off, I gotta see some commerical on TV with the latest "dumb ginzo Brooklyn Italian heeeyyy.....yoooo!" stereotype.

 

So HTFU and deal. Youre far from alone.

[RTW2012]

I find it hilarious that some yahoos tell people they shouldn't be offended by something.

 

The OP said he's Native American and offended by the name Redskins. He said nothing about the Irish, Notre Dame, Italians, or anything else.

 

If you can't understand how people (not exclusively Native Americans) might be offended, then any more discussion on the topic would be pointless.

[Buftex]

I will accept that the name is offensive, and should be changed... as it seems to deeply offend so many...but I think the Redskins have the best looking uniforms in all of football. I think the logo is awesome, and I love the color scheme. What should they be called?

[Buftex]

With all due respect, as an Italian American, I dont wanna !@#$ing hear your whining.

 

More or less on a daily I gotta see the latest "dumb Italian du jour" trotted out on TV like some circus seal for our entertainment. If it aint The Sopranos, Im subjected to "Snookie"...or some cafone !@#$ from Jersey who they call a "real housewife." And eeeeverybody laughs along. And when all those shows go off, I gotta see some commerical on TV with the latest "dumb ginzo Brooklyn Italian heeeyyy.....yoooo!" stereotype.

 

So HTFU and deal. Youre far from alone.

 

 

"I love the Sopranos...favorite show of all time...doesn't offend me in the least"....said Buftex, the pollock!

[RkFast]

I find it hilarious that some yahoos tell people they shouldn't be offended by something.

 

The OP said he's Native American and offended by the name Redskins. He said nothing about the Irish, Notre Dame, Italians, or anything else.

 

If you can't understand how people (not exclusively Native Americans) might be offended, then any more discussion on the topic would be pointless.

 

I find it more hilarious that the "offended" have the need to whine about it constantly.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

With all due respect, as an Italian American, I dont wanna !@#$ing hear your whining.

 

More or less on a daily I gotta see the latest "dumb Italian du jour" trotted out on TV like some circus seal for our entertainment. If it aint The Sopranos, Im subjected to "Snookie"...or some cafone !@#$ from Jersey who they call a "real housewife." And eeeeverybody laughs along. And when all those shows go off, I gotta see some commerical on TV with the latest "dumb ginzo Brooklyn Italian heeeyyy.....yoooo!" stereotype.

 

So HTFU and deal. Youre far from alone.

 

So, it seems that you're proud of your Italian heritage and at least a little bit bothered by the stereotypes you see. How would you like it if the biggest sports team representing your hometown was called the Dagos or the WOPs? And even if that didn't bother you, what right do you have to tell other people how to feel?

[billsfan in n.h]

No you're not .... you're a racist

why does the italian navy have glass bottom boats??? to see the old italian navy..ha ha .its called a joke.get over it.i am polish and polish jokes dont bother me in the least.love a good joke.ps i guess you dont like comedy central either

[4BillsintheBurgh]

I'm with Drew Carey on this one.

[Mini Max Anderson Fan]

I'm not trying to educate anyone. Just pointing out that we were all born here

 

Some people try to make a distinction between one group or another. I was trying to point out what we have in common.

 

 

So true, imo when we look at each other by color, we divide our country . I always told my sons, color of skin doesn't matter, what is inside is what matters. When you are defined by your color the great American melting pot disappears and people can't become all they can become. Unite, not divide America!

 

imho

 

GO BILLS!

[BillsneedaSuperbowl]

it really doesnt offend me that much. it really doesnt seem that terrible. but if people are offended, they should just change the name. side note, why would anybody want their nickname to be redskins anyway? its not a very cool name, and frankly its kind of weird to me to have your nickname be a race. one more thing, the sabres is the coolest nickname ever.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

So true, imo when we look at each other by color, we divide our country . I always told my sons, color of skin doesn't matter, what is inside is what matters. When you are defined by your color the great American melting pot disappears and people can't become all they can become. Unite, not divide America!

 

imho

 

GO BILLS!

 

This is all well and good in theory, but just take a look at human history and you'll see that people will never stop identifying themselves in terms of race. It's human nature and no amount of generational introspection will ever completely fix it. People will continue to associate primarily with others of their own race, primarily wed with others of their own race, etc. The best that we can do is to erase the "us versus them" mentality and replace it with "us with them".

 

And really, has the "great melting pot" ever really existed the way that we think about it? There has always been hostility when mixing races and cultures.

 

Again, I think that the best we can do is to honestly recognize that we're different and be peaceful about it, not just pretend that we're all the same.

[Rex Ryan's Lapband]

I am an Italian American-American Native. I must say that I am very tired of the political correctness stuff.

 

I don't hate the Redskins now because I didn't hate them 40 years ago when no one cared about this crap.

 

In today's world I can't even say Merry Christmas to you because someone else might get offended.

 

You can't say the Pledge of Allegiance in a public school either because it mentions God.

 

I boycott all this PC stuff. All of it. Including the zealots who insist on renaming sports teams.

 

Treat people right. Do not pre-judge. Be nice and live good.

Yup. "Getting offended" has replaced baseball as the national pastime.

[Booster4324]

I've got these two really good friends, each of whom are half Cherokee.

 

One hates the Redskins, and she spends a significant portion of her time--professional time and free time--trying to eradicate such nicknames from sports.

 

The other moved to DC about a year ago, and adopted the Redskins as her favorite team (she never lived in an NFL market before).

 

I never know which one is right. Personally, I do not like the name "Redskins," but I do not have a problem, with, say "Chiefs." Or "Fighting Irish."

 

I guess the middle ground (between my two friends) is probably the right idea.

 

Is it wrong that this post made me think of two hot Cherokee chicks in a pillow fight?

[dwight in philly]

why does the italian navy have glass bottom boats??? to see the old italian navy..ha ha .its called a joke.get over it.i am polish and polish jokes dont bother me in the least.love a good joke.ps i guess you dont like comedy central either

i agree!, people spend way to much time "getting offended". also, i thought obama was supposed to bring an end to racism, or last "build bridges" as he says, but i think talk of racism has never been greater since he took office!

[Mini Max Anderson Fan]

This is all well and good in theory, but just take a look at human history and you'll see that people will never stop identifying themselves in terms of race. It's human nature and no amount of generational introspection will ever completely fix it. People will continue to associate primarily with others of their own race, primarily wed with others of their own race, etc. The best that we can do is to erase the "us versus them" mentality and replace it with "us with them".

 

And really, has the "great melting pot" ever really existed the way that we think about it? There has always been hostility when mixing races and cultures.

 

Again, I think that the best we can do is to honestly recognize that we're different and be peaceful about it, not just pretend that we're all the same.

 

Whatever has happened in the past cannot be changed nor ignored. My Italian grandparents did experience prejudice in their lifetime, as did my Irish ancestors. The great melting has occurred, many descendants of immigrants are now part of main stream America, of this there is no doubt. Racism continues to exist because we continue to judge a man by his color, not his heart. You cannot tell me that America isn't different then even 60 years ago, changes have occurred, America is better for it. Also, I believe racism exists in other cultures and is far worse then what is occurring today in America. Good discourse friend.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

Whatever has happened in the past cannot be changed nor ignored. My Italian grandparents did experience prejudice in their lifetime, as did my Irish ancestors. The great melting has occurred, many descendants of immigrants are now part of main stream America, of this there is no doubt. Racism continues to exist because we continue to judge a man by his color, not his heart. You cannot tell me that America isn't different then even 60 years ago, changes have occurred, America is better for it. Also, I believe racism exists in other cultures and is far worse then what is occurring today in America. Good discourse friend.

 

Oh, I agree that we've made numerous positive steps and that racism is held in relative check in mainstream America these days (The KKK, black panthers, neo-nazis still exist, but they're much more on the outskirts these days).

 

My point is just that, on the other side of the spectrum, wishing for a "color blind" society might be unrealistic too, because something as outwardly apparent as skin color will always be a form of intrinsic identity. As you said, we have to move closer to seeing skin color without judging it.

[Niagara Bill]

Just thought I'd express myself and vent for a moment.

 

I can think of no more disrespectful and derogatory team name in all of American sport.

 

Could you imagine the Harlem Blackskins or the San Francisco Yellows?

 

 

I cringe every time I hear their name....oh well.

As a non Native American I resent your people taking all the money away from my people in your casinos

[The Dean]

As a non Native American I resent your people taking all the money away from my people in your casinos

 

 

 

They can't take it if you don't give it to them!

[Rob's House]

Every time something like this comes up I'm always amazed how many ultra sensitive she men come out of the woodwork to ooze vaginitis all over the board. Buck up bitches.

[Phil Hansen Forever]

Just thought I'd express myself and vent for a moment.

 

I can think of no more disrespectful and derogatory team name in all of American sport.

 

Could you imagine the Harlem Blackskins or the San Francisco Yellows?

 

 

I cringe every time I hear their name....oh well.

You make a valid point, the Redskins logo and name are not only culturally insensitive, but racially as well. I have no problem with names like the Blackhawks, Fighting Sioux, but naming a team after a culturally offensive slur is wrong. I would agree with you in your examples; nobody would allow them today, but we tolerate the Redskins.

[Rob's House]

You make a valid point, the Redskins logo and name are not only culturally insensitive, but racially as well. I have no problem with names like the Blackhawks, Fighting Sioux, but naming a team after a culturally offensive slur is wrong. I would agree with you in your examples; nobody would allow them today, but we tolerate the Redskins.

 

We should probably rally against Red Man tobacco too, because that's probably giving someone a bad case of itchy vagina too.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

Every time something like this comes up I'm always amazed how many ultra sensitive she men come out of the woodwork to ooze vaginitis all over the board. Buck up bitches.

 

And one reason our society can't have honest discussions about anything is that guys like you think that any attitude besides "just ignore it" is somehow unmasculine.

[The Dean]

We should probably rally against Red Man tobacco too, because that's probably giving someone a bad case of itchy vagina too.

 

 

I guess the world is getting tough for ignorant macho crackers like yourself.. Evolution is a B word for those too stupid to adapt.

[Rob's House]

I guess the world is getting tough for ignorant macho crackers like yourself.. Evolution is a B word for those too stupid to adapt.

 

Piss off Dean. I'm glad to know your super sensitivity on all matters PC sets you a rung higher on the evolutionary ladder. Some of us *ignorant crackers are tired of hearing whiners piss and moan ad nauseum about anything and everything they can use to annoint themselves the wronged victim. If you could, in your infinite wisdom, explain to me what it is you find to be ignorant about my statement I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

 

*http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorant

[SDS]

and with that high-minded exchange - this thread is closed.