Why redskins is offensive

Every dictionary defines "Redskins" as being offensive, derogatory and a racial epithet. Even with the best intentions, naming a sports team the New York Kikes, the Seattle Slant Eyes, the Atlanta Niggers, or the Washington Redskins will likely offend the very group you want to honor. And they're the ones who should know if the name is an honor or not. The ACLU is a champion of free speech. The issue here isn't whether Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins has a right to call his team anything he wants.

He does. The issue is whether he should perpetuate racism. Numerous Indian organizations have issued policies and proclamations imploring non-Indians to stop "honoring" them by using Indians as mascots or logos.

According to the National Congress of American Indians, Indian mascots and logos "perpetuate racism and bigotry. Numerous people and organizations have beseeched Snyder, to change the team's name. This includes, in addition to Indian organizations, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which passed a resolution stating that the name is "demeaning and dehumanizing to Native Americans. For at least five decades, despite calls to change the name of the Washington Redskins, the team has refused to do so.

In an appropriation of Native American culture, fans at matches have often been seen with red paint on their faces, and costumes, such as headgear worn by Native American tribal chiefs that is considered a sign of respect and honour.

Native Americans say fans donning them in jest is disrespectful to their heritage and culture. Over the last ten years, the Washington Redskins particularly faced criticism for the team name, logo and mascot. NEVER — you can use caps. According to an ESPN report, Snyder — who has been the owner since — would have even considered selling the team over changing its name. In , the US cancelled six trademarks held by the team on grounds that it was disparaging to Native Americans.

Former President Barack Obama , too, repeatedly urged the team to abandon its controversial name and symbol. This happens under the radar, but after about a generation, the reality becomes impossible to ignore. Yet all of these terms mean the same thing literally. The literal is but one part of language as we actually live it. Words have not only core meanings, but resonances of the kind that may not make it into the dictionary but are deeply felt by all of us.

Sometimes we need to get back down to cases with a new word. It may not be mean to tell someone their skin happens to be reddish. Contact us at letters time.