Redskins "Name" debate

[Sunstroke]

I ask again: if your mayor referred to a Native American constituent as a "redskin," would you think that's OK?

And I'll once again ignore an irrelevant question. We aren't talking about a Mayor addressing a constituent. We're talking about the name of a football team.

[Spider-Dan]

You're trying to claim that "redskin" is innocuous and not at all a racial slur.  That claim is highly suspect.

It's one thing if you're arguing that WSH should keep their name Because Tradition, or something.  But to try to say that "redskin" is really just an accurate description of the complexion of Native Americans so what's the problem? blithely ignores the entire point of racial slurs.

It doesn't matter if a particular black person really does look like a gorilla or if a specific Mexican actually eats beans every day or what the first three letters of Japan are.  That doesn't somehow make monkey or beaner or jap OK.

[Sunstroke]

I don't consider "Jap" to be a racial slur either, any more than "American" or "Swede" or "Filipino."

...and if you don't see the inherent differences between "redskin" and "beaner," then the problem is in your basic understanding of the English language.

Last post on this topic. I've expressed my point adequately enough, and lack the interest in another long. drawn out Spidey semantics debate.

[Spider-Dan]

I don't consider "Jap" to be a racial slur either, any more than "American" or "Swede" or "Filipino."

You had me at hello.

[MikeO]

I do think how this will ultimately end is Daniel Snyder will write a big fat check....these Indian Nations will split up the money among themselves and this whole thing will go away.  I might be dead wrong but I think if Snyder throws enough money at this problem everyone complaining will go silent.

I see each sides point of view and this will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[MikeO]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/25/nfl-to-meet-with-oneida-indian-nation-next-week/

Meeting next week in NYC. Oneida Indian nation sending reps to meet with the NFL. Call me cynical but this will be the meeting where some numbers will be bounced around to see how much it will cost the NFL/Redskins to make this entire matter just go away.

[Sunstroke]

I understand that throwing money at problems is a popular disposal method, but for the life of me, I can't see why Daniel Snyder would be willing to pay a penny of his own money here. That team was called the Redskins long before Snyder was even born.

[MikeO]

I understand that throwing money at problems is a popular disposal method, but for the life of me, I can't see why Daniel Snyder would be willing to pay a penny of his own money here. That team was called the Redskins long before Snyder was even born.

Because I am guessing this "issue" is tying up a lot of his time. To the point even the President of the United States has weighed in on this matter. Snyder I would think (and the league) just want this all to go away as soon as possible. If that means paying off some people to shut them up....I think they will write some checks.

[Sunstroke]

That's the thing though...I just don't think that writing a check makes this go away. The only thing that will make this situation "right" with the people who are offended by the team name is to change the team name.

Hell, I'd think that the offended parties accepting money without forcing a team name change would be seen as a betrayal of sorts; a selling-out on their principles.

I could be wrong, but that's how I see this situation.

[Dave Gray]

I saw some leak somewhere about the name Bravehearts.  It was on PTI, but I was only half paying attention.

[MikeO]

That's the thing though...I just don't think that writing a check makes this go away. The only thing that will make this situation "right" with the people who are offended by the team name is to change the team name.

Hell, I'd think that the offended parties accepting money without forcing a team name change would be seen as a betrayal of sorts; a selling-out on their principles.

I could be wrong, but that's how I see this situation.

If the NFL and Snyder write the Indian Nations a check for enough money. Set up some scholarship fund to help native american kids to go to college every year, nice little PR move.....then the Indian Nations could go back to their people and say after talking to the league and the Redskins organization we have found common ground. We understand there is no ill will with them keeping the name and their intent is pure....blah blah blah. They also understand our point of view and have stepped up to help our Indian Nation communities ....blah blah. They could spin this very very easily if some money crosses hands.  And this whole thing will be forgotten of within a week and on to the next news cycle story

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Meeting next week in NYC. Oneida Indian nation sending reps to meet with the NFL. Call me cynical but this will be the meeting where some numbers will be bounced around to see how much it will cost the NFL/Redskins to make this entire matter just go away.

I don't see how this solves the problem.  In fact it would only result in more protests. 

Some Native Americans are protesting the name not all.  Of those who are not some aren't bother by the name, others are bothered by it but not to the point it is worth protesting.

If the NFL or Snyder pays those who are protesting to stop, you can bet those who don't get paid, will start protesting the name.

Only way to end the problem is change the name. 

[Sunstroke]

Only way to end the problem is change the name. 

Yep...there is only one correct answer to the question "how do you stop people from being offended by the name?"

Change the name.

Also, how do you cut checks to every American Indian tribe? At last count, there were 562 of them. (http://tribaldirectory.com/)

[MikeO]

Yep...there is only one correct answer to the question "how do you stop people from being offended by the name?"

Change the name.

Also, how do you cut checks to every American Indian tribe? At last count, there were 562 of them. (http://tribaldirectory.com/)

Well I'm not sure you have to cut a check to each of them. But I am sure the more vocal ones in this process would get paid and the others who haven't been saying anything would get nothing. Will be interesting to see how this plays out but I still think t the end of the day some money changes hands and this all goes away. We shall see

[Spider-Dan]

So how much money would Augusta National have had to pay to make their "no women allowed" issue go away?  And who would they have paid it to?

A payout would not only fail to solve the issue, it would likely make it worse.