Is the name Redskins derogatory towards Native Americans?

Well, I think the name Redskins is derogatory towards native Americans...I heard a reservation is trying to get the name changed and I am all for it, I believe that it should be given another name. Colleges like Illinois and New Mexico State got rid of their references to Native Americans, its time pro teams did the same.

Is the name Redskins derogatory towards Native Americans?
Heck to the no. Im a FSU fan. The Redskins need to do what we do. Build a relationship with the native americans. Fsu strives to build a relationship with the seminole tribe. We give them "Seminole Scholars" that pay 80 percent tuition. We even wear special Jerseys for 1 game each year containing all the seminole tribes colors to honor them. Couldent the Redskins give back to the Native population in some way? give tribes some compensation for the use of the name? or some percentage o merchandise revenues?











The seminole tribe even let our school president T.K. Wetherell (a white guy) join their tribal council. Its all about giving back for the fame you achieve





Here is what the seminoles said about the situation





"That they chose to go on record and formally reaffirm that they trust us to be good stewards of their name and traditions is humbling," Wetherell said. "We will continue to treat those traditions and the Seminole name with honor and respect."





http://www.fsu.com/pages/2005/06/17/hist...








To sum it up yes it could be considered a racist name. But if you ok it with the native americans and let them know u represent them in a good way and it is in no way trying to be derogatory .





Its the same way with a everyone. I have black friends and if they say the word cracker around me I do not get offended. And they have heard me say the N word. We know we have respect for each other, and it was not meant to be hateful.
Reply:Has anyone considered the fact that the term redskins does not denote any tribe. It is a term to denote the color of skin, and hence create a difference to subjugate populations. Have we forgotten civil rights? We don't have team names using the N word. Report Abuse

Reply:I wish I could recall the source but it was so long ago that I can't. I actually think it was a "World Book - Year Book" that my father used to get every year. It was just like our set of encyclopedias but was one book that he would receive annually covering the previous years events.





Anyhow, I remember there being a picture of several pennants with team names such as (can't remember these exactly) "Jacksonville Jews, Baltimore ******, Columbus Caucasians and then one for the Cleveland Indians. Then it had a caption explaining the offensiveness Native Americans felt towards the Indians and teams with similar names.





I remember a spokesman representing a group of Native Americans stating that "Chiefs" was not offensive because that was a "title" that they used themselves or something like to that effect.





Bottom line, I always felt that using Native American images for sports teams was more like an honor to their heritage however, I am not Native American. So if a majority of Native Americans wish to see teams such as the Redskins, Indians, Seminoles, etc, change their names, logos and anything else they find offensive then I for one would not try anything to prevent them in their pursuit of doing so.
Reply:I have no problem with the name. It is not the intent of the organization to insult native Americans. I think there is a college team with the name Flying Dutchman, Hofstra maybe? A team does not pick a team name that is insulting. The greatest football franchise of the modern era does intend to insult Cowboys with its team name. Add in the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and you know it is totally positive. Very positive. FSU did not pick Seminoles as an insult to the proud native Americans of Florida. There are real issues in this world like child abuse and hunger that is a bit more important than team names. Lets resolve them first. Donate to a Native American cause. Not some parlor room debate issue.
Reply:"A March 4, 2002 issue of "Sports Illustrated" published a Harris Research Poll whereby 81% of Native Americans surveyed supported the use of Indian nicknames in high school and college and rose to 83% for professional teams. Further, a September 2004 poll reported by the University of Pennsylvania's "National Annenberg Election Survey" produced near exact results."








There is much controversy on the topic and numerous arguments (such as http://www.bluecorncomics.com/sipoll.htm... to the famous poll in SI in 02. People have varying opinions, but the numbers are there and unbiased. Take from them what you wish.
Reply:Im part American Indian (apache) and I really could care less. Americans nowadays get so offended by everything. We need to stop reading so much into everything and just take things at face value. Heck, I think the Skins might just make us Native Americans proud this year. Their defense is going to be tough.
Reply:you forgot the cleavland indians also. i see your point but if this happens, there will be no names to choose from besides names like thunder, lightning, and strom because maybe animal lovers won't like names like lions, bears, etc... from the mascots also.
Reply:then, maybe the F.D.A., should pull the Potato off the market too.


I know! How about the WASHINGTON PEOPLE WHO, MIGRATED TO NORTH AMERICA VIA THE BERING LAND BRIDGE?


GET REAL!!!


I'm not going to sue KEEBLER because they call their product CRACKERS!!!


You people should get a life.
Reply:My highschools mascot was an indian, we didn't view it as derogatory, a mascot is somthing your supposed to be proud of and hold in high reguard you aren't showing it any disrespect.
Reply:No i dont think so. Is the Steelers derogatory towards robbers? I wouldnt think so. But some people are weird like that ya digg? Good question i give you a star.
Reply:Only when they lose.
Reply:C'mon man get real. Its 2008 not 1888
Reply:I went through this in high school. My school's teams were called the Redskins. There was another school, about 30 miles away, they too were called the Redskins. A parent of 2 kids at the other school took her argument to the school board. She (a white woman) had adopted 2 native children and felt that the name was derogatory towards them. It brought out a lot of anger (my school had some really good teams, we were very proud of). It also brought out a lot of action. The school board was willing to just give in to her, we were not! We thought about a walkout but decided that it wouldn't get us anywhere. We went higher!





Here is a copy of an editorial from our local paper that was written after the final decision (I took names out).





Students Stay Cool and Teach a Lesson





A tip of the hat, or headdress to the students of (my school) for acting more adult than the so called grown ups that are about to move into the new multi-million dollar education center.





Faced with the prospect of losing their school nickname of Redskins because of a complaint from one member of the public, the students kept their cool and decided the best way to hang a beureaucrat is with red tape. Their campaign was one which followed the proper channels and showed ameasure of ingenuity which left the opposition outgunned and outmanoeuvered.





First they asked for a meeting with Education Director (name). they outlined their concerns and asked him to balance one complaint against a school full of kids who revere the name Redskins and wear it as a badge of honour rather than insult. When (director) told them, basically to forget it and that his decision was final, they regrouped and thought the next step through thouroughly.





The key word here is thought. For those who badmouth 'kids these days' it is a particularily important point that the students didn't go off half-****** and opt to walk out or boycott classes.





They guaged student opinion and made sure they had the backing of the majority of their peers. They then made the shrewd move of trying something the high paid director never got around to; they contacted the Assenbly of First Nations in Ottawa for its reaction to the crux of the problem, the term "Redskin".





Unlike the person who lodged the initial complaint with the board in (city), the Assembly said the term Redskin for sports teams isn't deemed derogatory. And the Assembly should know; it's the umbrella organization for native groups across the country.





The Assembly said that the (school) logo needs to be reworked and with good reason; the Chicago Blackhawks indian head it isn't.





So the students agreed to consult with local natives on a new logo, the school gets to maintain its tradition, the person who complained should be happy to bow to the wisdom of the foremost native authority in the country, and (the director) looks like someone who didn't do his homework.





If the students have to go around teaching the head 'educator' a lesson like that, what does it say about the system.





Sorry this is so long but it really strikes a chord with me.