Washington Redskins’ Name Conceives Controversy Among Fans Over Racial Concerns

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ANHAYTE GUAJARDO
WESLEY TSAI
Staff Writers

Ever since 1988, the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington Redskins’ name and logo has been a controversial topic due to its reputation of being a stereotypical name for Native Americans.

Organizations such as the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have come up with a solution to change the name and mascot of the Washington Redskins in order not to offend the Native American culture.

According to NBC Sports, last December, the Redskins issued a poll to the public that determined that 71 percent opposed the name change, while 18 percent supported it. Since the last poll that was issued 20 years ago, the support to change the name has dropped by nearly 10 percent.

Americans and countless Redskins fans have expressed support in keeping the name, believing that the name “represents the strength, character and pride of our Indian Heritage.”

In a recent letter to fans, team owner Daniel Snyder describes the name as a “badge of honor” and states that the name “continues to hold the memories and meanings of where we come from, who we are, and who we want to be in the years to come,” according to the Washington Post.

Although many fans find the name a valuable symbol, many Native Americans and fans disagree. Some Native Americans and fans find the name offensive and racist, thus leading to the creation of online campaigns such as #changethename and #changethemascot.

“The name Redskins’ should be changed because it’s racist. [It’s] like naming a team Blackskins, Brownskins or Yellowskins,” junior Sara Hernandez said.

As support for the name change continues to be present, the debate over changing the name is still in progress and campaigns are currently being held in order to change the name. There has been no revelation to what the name will be changed to; however, to most, changing the name is not favorable. In fact, a number of the Native Americans would rather willingly keep the name. A fraction of Native Americans, though, continue to create movements so that the NFL will change the “offensive” name into one that is perceived as less offensive.