Mascot Names Spark Controversy

Mascot+Names+Spark+Controversy+

ESPN, USA Today

Brian Gould, Editor-In-Chief
October 9, 2014

With the trends of modern society, any phrase, or action deemed insensitive is called upon by many people to change. It seems that these days people are so concerned with making sure that they don’t offend anyone, their personal beliefs, opinions and actions become something that they aren’t proud to show. I’m not saying that everyone’s opinion is correct, but everyone should get the chance to voice his or hers, and the constitution protects his or her right to do so. One of the biggest conflicts in sports of recently is the name of the Professional football team, the Washington Redskins.

In 1932, the early years of professional football, a team based out of Boston, Massachusetts, the then “Boston Braves” started out in a young professional football league. It was decided later that year that the “Boston Braves” would become the “Boston Redskins” to relate to the town’s baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. The team had difficulty with attendance at games, and in 1937 relocated to the Washington D.C. area, where they won their first League Championship. (The Super Bowl didn’t exist until 1967.) The Washington Redskins quickly became one of the young league’s top teams, winning another championship in 1942, among many conference, and division championships as well.

Then in 1967, along came the Super Bowl, and with it, the popularity of professional football soared. The Redskins have won the big game three times, in 1982, 1987, and 1991. It has been rough since then for the Redskins, making the playoffs just five times since then. They did make the playoffs in 2012, but came up short in the divisional round.

To me, this begs the question that if the Redskins were as successful recently as say, the Seahawks, or the Patriots, if there would be any fire for them to change their name or not. Many professional teams have mascot names that resemble Native Americans, in baseball, there are the, the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves, hockey has the Chicago Blackhawks, and countless colleges also bare the names the relate to Native Americans. These teams are not being called to change their names, why the Redskins?

Some argue that this name, the “Redskins” is more socially unacceptable and offensive than say, the Chicago Blackhawks, and they may be correct, but all that I argue is that if the Redskins are forced to change their name, then so should all the teams that reference Native Americans.

This whole mob of people calling for the Redskins name change picked up most of its steam in early 2014. There had been lawsuits filed in the past, but they had all been dismissed. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board voted to take away the Redskins trademark in a 2-1 vote. A USA today poll however showed that 79% of the people polled believed that the Redskins should keep their name. The Redskins Organization is appealing the decision.

The controversy has become somewhat of a laughing stock to some, with broadcasters saying that they will not use the name “Redskins” on air, and refer to them as the “Washington football team.” It has gotten to the point where I do not really care what happens, but a decision needs to be made. I still believe that the Redskins should be able to keep their namesake, which they have had for nearly 80 years. Even popular comedy shows, like South Park gave their take on the situation in an ad that ran as a promo during the first weekend of the NFL season.

With the trends of modern society, any phrase, or action deemed insensitive is called upon by many people to change. It seems that these days people are so concerned with making sure that they don’t offend anyone, their personal beliefs, opinions and actions become something that they aren’t proud to show. I’m not saying that everyone’s opinion is correct, but everyone should get the chance to voice his or hers, and the constitution protects his or her right to do so. One of the biggest conflicts in sports of recently is the name of the Professional football team, the Washington Redskins.
In 1932, the early years of professional football, a team based out of Boston, Massachusetts, the then “Boston Braves” started out in a young professional football league. It was decided later that year that the “Boston Braves” would become the “Boston Redskins” to relate to the town’s baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. The team had difficulty with attendance at games, and in 1937 relocated to the Washington D.C. area, where they won their first League Championship. (The Super Bowl didn’t exist until 1967.) The Washington Redskins quickly became one of the young league’s top teams, winning another championship in 1942, among many conference, and division championships as well.
Then in 1967, along came the Super Bowl, and with it, the popularity of professional football soared. The Redskins have won the big game three times, in 1982, 1987, and 1991. It has been rough since then for the Redskins, making the playoffs just five times since then. They did make the playoffs in 2012, but came up short in the divisional round.
To me, this begs the question that if the Redskins were as successful recently as say, the Seahawks, or the Patriots, if there would be any fire for them to change their name or not. Many professional teams have mascot names that resemble Native Americans, in baseball, there are the, the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves, hockey has the Chicago Blackhawks, and countless colleges also bare the names the relate to Native Americans. These teams are not being called to change their names, why the Redskins?
Some argue that this name, the “Redskins” is more socially unacceptable and offensive than say, the Chicago Blackhawks, and they may be correct, but all that I argue is that if the Redskins are forced to change their name, then so should all the teams that reference Native Americans.
This whole mob of people calling for the Redskins name change picked up most of its steam in early 2014. There had been lawsuits filed in the past, but they had all been dismissed. The Trademark and Trial and Appeal Board voted to take away the Redskins trademark in a 2-1 vote. A USA today poll however showed that 79% of the people polled believed that the Redskins should keep their name. The Redskins Organization is appealing the decision.
The controversy has become somewhat of a laughing stock to some, with broadcasters saying that they will not use the name “Redskins” on air, and refer to them a the “Washington football team.” It has gotten to the point for me, as to I do not really care what happens, but a decision needs to be made. I still believe that the Redskins should be able to keep their namesake, which they have had for nearly 80 years.
While I personally believe and hope that the Redskins keep their namesake, only time will tell as to how the public, the government, and the NFL respond to both opinions being voiced across the country.
Youtube

While I personally believe and hope that the Redskins keep their mascot name, only time will tell as to how the public, the government, and the NFL respond to both opinions being voiced across the country.