Posted on Jul 8, 2020
Opinion | Washington NFL team controversy is about so much more than "just" a name
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Office of the President (POTUS)
NFL
Washington
Native Americans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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My fellow Norweigians should rise up against our oppressors, the Minnesota Vikings!
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1SG (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - I know. It was a tongue in cheek response since redskin is a pejorative and viking is not.
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1SG (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - Yet, how many non-pejorative names have been cancelled in sports? The Marquette Warriors. North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Thousands of them in high schools. But I guess the Fighting Irish is fine.
I just find the double standard stupid.
I just find the double standard stupid.
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1SG (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) -
The "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo was cited as one of the "hostile and abusive" representations of Native Americans by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2005, although some controversy predates that action. Critics of the name called it a racist stereotype, while supporters maintained that it was inoffensive and a source of pride. Over the years, the debate proved to be a divisive issue at the University of North Dakota. The movement to keep the nickname and logo was led by some UND alumni, sports fans, and athletic players and officials, as well as the university administration for a time. The campaign to change the nickname and logo was led by several Native American tribes and student organizations, as well as many UND faculty members. A new nickname, the "Fighting Hawks" was selected in 2015.
The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's "Ragin' Cajuns" are sometimes cited as counter-arguments to those that favor change. However, rather than referring to "others" these teams employ symbols that European American cultures have historically used to represent themselves.The University of Notre Dame mascot, the University of Notre Dame leprechaun is a mythical being that represents the Irish, which is both an ethnic and a national group. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette mascot is an anthropomorphic cayenne pepper, an ingredient frequently found in Cajun cuisine. Opponents also see this argument as a false equivalency, because it ignores systemic inequality, and serves to discount the Native American voice by saying that if one group isn't hurt by a particular portrayal, then no group has the right to be hurt, regardless of vastly different backgrounds, treatment, and social positions.
The "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo was cited as one of the "hostile and abusive" representations of Native Americans by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2005, although some controversy predates that action. Critics of the name called it a racist stereotype, while supporters maintained that it was inoffensive and a source of pride. Over the years, the debate proved to be a divisive issue at the University of North Dakota. The movement to keep the nickname and logo was led by some UND alumni, sports fans, and athletic players and officials, as well as the university administration for a time. The campaign to change the nickname and logo was led by several Native American tribes and student organizations, as well as many UND faculty members. A new nickname, the "Fighting Hawks" was selected in 2015.
The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's "Ragin' Cajuns" are sometimes cited as counter-arguments to those that favor change. However, rather than referring to "others" these teams employ symbols that European American cultures have historically used to represent themselves.The University of Notre Dame mascot, the University of Notre Dame leprechaun is a mythical being that represents the Irish, which is both an ethnic and a national group. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette mascot is an anthropomorphic cayenne pepper, an ingredient frequently found in Cajun cuisine. Opponents also see this argument as a false equivalency, because it ignores systemic inequality, and serves to discount the Native American voice by saying that if one group isn't hurt by a particular portrayal, then no group has the right to be hurt, regardless of vastly different backgrounds, treatment, and social positions.
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1SG (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - There was a big whoop-de-do about the NDSU nickname a few years ago. Basically, the NCAA said that they had to change the name or secure the blessing of the five Sioux tribes in North Dakota. They got four of them, but the fifth held out for some reason (hint: money) and didn't bless off. That is why they are now the Fighting Hawks.
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“Those who are determined to be ‘offended’ will discover a provocation somewhere. We cannot possibly adjust enough to please the fanatics, and it is degrading to make the attempt.”
― Christopher Hitchens
― Christopher Hitchens
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Cpl Jeff N.
1SG (Join to see) - Most people aren't. The statement is true regardless of who said it, is it not?
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While this whole sports teams/name change gig's going on, I'm reading the the story of divers on the Yucatan peninsula finding evidence of pre-historic mining in an underwater cave & the same-period history of the hunt for "red ochre," an iron oxide derivative that ancient Americans used for cosmetic & spiritual (burial) purposes.
Seems like "redskins" label came not from the Native Americans ethnic appearance but from their obsession with wearing this colorful soft metal on their faces & in both peace & war. In the same fashion that the pop media & their adherents were forever wrong about one Donald Trump & that business, so-called, career, they were also wrong about the ethnic or "racist" implications of names like "Braves," "Indians," & "Redskins." But such is conventional wisdom: Completely immutable.
However, go ahead & limit the debate to an unreasonable premise, & you're likely to have an unreasonable debate.
Seems like "redskins" label came not from the Native Americans ethnic appearance but from their obsession with wearing this colorful soft metal on their faces & in both peace & war. In the same fashion that the pop media & their adherents were forever wrong about one Donald Trump & that business, so-called, career, they were also wrong about the ethnic or "racist" implications of names like "Braves," "Indians," & "Redskins." But such is conventional wisdom: Completely immutable.
However, go ahead & limit the debate to an unreasonable premise, & you're likely to have an unreasonable debate.
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