Washington Redskins name

[sparkyfender2]

Tempest in a teapot, there are more important things to argue about on the interwebz! [sarcasm]

Or........ Maybe not.

Native Americans got a very, very raw deal when this nation was being settled by Europeans, no doubt about it. That being said, I'm not giving the few acres I own back to anybody, and I doubt that most folk crying the longest and loudest are willing to deed any property they own back to someone possibly more entitled to it, either.

Let the free market settle it. If enough people loathe the name and spend zero dollars on the team and its merchandise, it will knuckle under to change or go broke. If enough people spend their bucks on a team that remains the "Redskins," then so be it........

 

[Brad Johnson]

Everything is racist anymore. It is what liberals use as a trump card. I'm tired of it.
I never intentionally offend anyone by anything I say and should I do so inadvertantly, I will apologize. Some of my information may be incorrect. I am not aware of the native americans that are offended. Could it be that white social activists convinced them they should be offended?
Has the NFL or the Management of the Washingto DC team offered to meet with any native american representatives and get their input? They should.

Can you imagine the side opposite your position? That's empathy. Painting this as a liberal thing is a misguided broad brush IMO... it's the simple way out. There are conservatives who understand that in this specific case, the term is clearly derogatory. And people of all stripes. This isn't a liberal thing. Trying to make it one doesn't help.

You're not up to speed on this and that's cool. By the same token, knowing you're not up to speed, not being aware of something really doesn't mean much. Yes, the NFL, Snyder and NA representatives have been involved in this for years. This isn't new.

 

[Mysterion]

...Let the free market settle it. If enough people loathe the name and spend zero dollars on the team and its merchandise, it will knuckle under to change or go broke. If enough people spend their bucks on a team that remains the "Redskins," then so be it........

There's nothing free market about the NFL, or The R******s. They are both heavily subsidized by taxpayer dollars; you might even say they're a form of socialized sport. The quoted passage links to an article that nicely details the league's cozy status.

"...[In 2012] Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell...took $4 million from taxpayers’ pockets and handed the money to the Washington R******s, for the team to upgrade a workout facility. Hoping to avoid scrutiny, McDonnell approved the gift while the state legislature was out of session..."

 

[Tomkat8]

I grew up in Virginia, who has no team and most of the people I grew up with thought of the Redskins as our team, so let's just change it to the Rednecks and be done with it.

 

[edpal]

Hmmm...Two points come to mind:

1--Homogeneity is not a universally-shared American goal. Though many people prefer to be surrounded by folk of similar background, others thrive on variety.

2--This argument always falls short because of a basic lack of empathy, or maybe imagination. For many people who stand somehow outside "USA average," there is no choice but to confront their difference--they are reminded of their otherness every day. Making that otherness a point of pride--'clinging to cultural affiliations'--seems like a pretty reasonable assertion of identity.

It may not be universally-held goal, but I would contend a largely held goal. The "others" you speak of is small in relation, to the "many people". The "many people" are blending, creating a cultural identification that is of this land, not of another.

I understand the "clingiing" cultural affiliations of those newer to this country - it is a slow process to be deemed "many people". The problems arise when those who have been here byond X generations support a systematic inclusion of those they deem "same" and exclusion of the "many people". What do I know, I'm just a Gray-Skinned Butler

 

[DerHoggz]

Everything is racist anymore. It is what liberals use as a trump card. I'm tired of it.
I never intentionally offend anyone by anything I say and should I do so inadvertantly, I will apologize. Some of my information may be incorrect.

So how many times do you need to be told before you get the idea? There is no way you can't know that it is offensive if you have even paid attention in this thread.

 

[Mysterion]

...What do I know, I'm just a Gray-Skinned Butler

The Addams Family was black-and-white--everybody's skin was gray. When Lurch guested on Batman, his skin was quite pink...

 

[FilterFunk]

I am not aware of the native americans that are offended. Could it be that white social activists convinced them they should be offended?

I'm pretty sure Native Americans are perceptive enough to know when something offends them. No "white social activists" input needed.

 

[blue4]

Everything is racist anymore. It is what liberals use as a trump card. I'm tired of it.
I never intentionally offend anyone by anything I say and should I do so inadvertantly, I will apologize. Some of my information may be incorrect. I am not aware of the native americans that are offended. Could it be that white social activists convinced them they should be offended?
Has the NFL or the Management of the Washingto DC team offered to meet with any native american representatives and get their input? They should.

"The liberals are coming, the liberals are coming! Now get out to vote, frightened people! Your way of life is about to be inconvenienced in a very minor way!"

I'm kind of proud that white people have had a hand in trying to stop racism.

 

[DeathFromBelow]

"The liberals are coming, the liberals are coming! Now get out to vote, frightened people! Your way of life is about to be inconvenienced in a very minor way!"

Yeah. I'm sure the Redskins changing their name will have a major negative impact on the life of grumpy middle aged white men. Oh, the horror.

 

[edpal]

I'm kind of proud that white people have had a hand in trying to stop racism.

Everybody needs to make an effort at stopping it - I know of no group that doesn't practice to some extent when they can get away with it. Reverse racism is a weak excuse for continuing the old fights. I understand the desire to "get those people back", "fair play",etc. But that thinking helps keep the world a scary place for all, in places where it could be a whole lot less. I'm sad when I am the victim, insulted when I am presumed to be the aggressor.

 

[nukes_da_bass]

There is no such animal as reverse racism.
It's all racism, it's all ugly.
What we need to do is stamp out race by interbreeding like rabbits.
It should be fun!

 

[Immigrant]

The Addams Family was black-and-white--everybody's skin was gray. When Lurch guested on Batman, his skin was quite pink...

At the 5:00 mark:

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

So how many times do you need to be told before you get the idea? There is no way you can't know that it is offensive if you have even paid attention in this thread.

You say it is offensive. I will go ask some people that might be offended. For you to be offended is pointless unless you are Native American.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Can you imagine the side opposite your position? That's empathy. Painting this as a liberal thing is a misguided broad brush IMO... it's the simple way out. There are conservatives who understand that in this specific case, the term is clearly derogatory. And people of all stripes. This isn't a liberal thing. Trying to make it one doesn't help.

You're not up to speed on this and that's cool. By the same token, knowing you're not up to speed, not being aware of something really doesn't mean much. Yes, the NFL, Snyder and NA representatives have been involved in this for years. This isn't new.

I'm up to speed. I just don't agree. Am I still allowed to disagree or is the right of free speech only apply when I agree with you?

 

[DerHoggz]

You say it is offensive. I will go ask some people that might be offended. For you to be offended is pointless unless you are Native American.

But the numerous Native Americans mentioned and linked to somehow don't count?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I have told you of Native Americans I know who are offended by it.

Now you are aware.

Yes, you did. But, I was ignoring you. You said you had lost interest in this thread, remember?

 

[DerHoggz]

I'm up to speed. I just don't agree. Am I still allowed to disagree or is the right of free speech only apply when I agree with you?

Free speech means the government won't come after you. You can still be wrong, run with that right!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Free speech means the government won't come after you. You can still be wrong, run with that right!

Of course I can. But I have not yet been convinced. I will listen to arguments, but I will not accept any denegrating comments about my position.
Oh, and the government will come after you. Do some research on the IRS "phony" scandal. You wont find it on the major broadcast channels.

 

[Marial]

There is no such animal as reverse racism.
It's all racism, it's all ugly.
What we need to do is stamp out race by interbreeding like rabbits.
It should be fun!

I'm happily doing my part.