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| ANSWER: NONE OF THE ABOVE |
Once again the ugly subject of racial insensitivity has reared its head in regard to sporting franchises and their brand. The Washington Redskins have been the team most often discussed when it comes to using a racial symbol as its brand, logo and mascot. Daniel Snyder, the franchise owner, responded recently as a Native American group broached the subject again of the obvious racial tone of the Redskins entire name associated with the professional franchise;
"We'll never change the name," he said. "It's that simple. NEVER -- you can use caps." he said definitively.
Well then--
USA Today also asked Snyder about Amanda Blackhorse, a Navajo woman who is the named plaintiff in the trademark suit. Blackhorse said if she ever were given the chance, she'd dare Snyder to call her a redskin to her face.
"I think the best way is to just not comment on that type of stuff," Snyder said. "I don't know her."
Snyder's stubborn declaration did nothing but raise the ire of many Native American people across the country who believe that the racial awareness and use of offensive names attributed to specific races and subcultures doesn't apply to the Native American population the way it does to other minority groups in the United States. How can you argue? How popular is the national franchise of restaurants formerly called "Sambos"?
There are many examples of a double standard and social policies that apparently don't apply to Native American people. Many of the offensive names, logos and advertising symbols associated with other racial groups (have been removed from our society, and rightly so). However, there are literally countless sporting teams across America named at least in part to Native American; history, culture, customs, art and folklore. The Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians baseball franchises and the Chicago Blackhawks hockey franchise, are just a few other professional sports teams using Native American associations to their team's brand and identity. The Chicago, Atlanta and Cleveland franchises haven't been pressured as acutely or frequently as the Washington Redskins football team, most likely because of the team's obvious gesture to skin color. Can you imagine having professional sports franchises called; "Black Skins", "Chinamen" or "Wet Backs?"Of course not, because all those names use offensive labels that have been used to degrade and mock a specified group of people for nothing more than the color of their skin. What more is the term "Redskins" used for, other than to specify the color of a Native American's skin color? Some will argue that because some Native American tribes used colored facial paints for various different ceremonies and on the battlefield, but everyone knows the real reason why Native Americans are called, "Redmen" and "Redskins".
When will our people and government recognize Native American people the way we obviously do other minority races? Congressman in several states in America are gathering a general sentiment from those who are in a position to legislate change and it's time that Native American people stand in front of the line to get change. It's ridiculous and overdue that people who enjoy the benefits that this land provides,
Daniel Snyder is a billionaire who made his fortune in a country that once belonged to the very people who are being mocked and humiliated by his football team's brand and logo. Is it really such a sacrifice for this man and his business, just to change the name and logo to something that isn't completely offensive to a group of people who have different colored skin than him? Do the right thing Mr. Snyder. If your team was making a mockery of African-American people, there would be riots in your own hometown. Think about it…
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