Archived So... the Redskins name. Change it, or no? If "yes", what would you change it to? (NFL)
submitted ago by BloodPool
Posted by: BloodPool
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Archived on: 2/12/2017 1:51:00 AM
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Archived So... the Redskins name. Change it, or no? If "yes", what would you change it to? (NFL)
submitted ago by BloodPool
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[–] dualplains ago (edited ago)
Actually looking into the etymology of the term 'redskin' leads down a really interesting road. It was first adopted by a gathering of tribal chieftans as a way of identifying all the tribes in their dealings with the colonists. They had no term for themselves as a race, just as individual tribes and nations. Everyone assumes that it must be a derogatory term because it was used on bounty boards in the west, but it was literally being used as a descriptor. The bounty boards themselves are horrible, sure, but the term was accepted and used at the time in the same way that native american is now. If we change the name of the football team, then we need to take a look at Ohlahoma which translates to 'Red People' in Choctaw.
And Dan Snyder's been a lifelong Redskins fan. He doesn't want to change the name because he grew up watching the Redskins same as a lot of the rest of us fans. Not sure why you wouldn't think he had a personal connection to the name. I hate him for what he's done to my skins, but I respect that he's got a connection to the team as a lifelong fan.