Name Controversy

Team names targeting Native American stereotypes should not be changed. Although there is a lot of controversy surrounding the names and logo’s of certain sports teams, according to a Washington Post poll, only 23% of native Americans wanted controversial sports teams names aimed at them to be changed. In a lot of cases, non native American people are speaking on behalf of native Americans on what they believe is respectful instead of actually listening to them and their ideas. In fact, the Washington Redskins name and logo was once created by someone of native American descent. It was not created to bash and harm First Nations people; contrary to popular belief, it was meant to do the opposite: show pride and resilience. “I’m proud of being Native American and of the Redskins,” said Barbara Bruce, a Chippewa teacher. People tend to interpret ideas in the wrong way. The only way to respect the Native American people is to listen to them. If they say they are fine with the name, there is no reason it should be changed. If it doesn’t affect First Nations people, why should it affect everyone else? An example is when NBC sportscaster, Bob Costas, claimed the Redskins name is “an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present-day intent.” Whereas in the video produced by “Redskins Facts” on Youtube titled “Redskins Reservations Interview,” none of the people on that certain first nations reserve seemed bothered by that name. Overall, the name should not be changed. It is part of their history and branding and, it is not negatively impacting first nations as much as many people believe.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40SFqadRTQ0

https://www.washington post.com/local/a-brief-history-of-the-word-redskin-and-how-it-became-a-

source-of-controversy/ 2016/05/19/062cd 618-187f-11e6-9e1 6-2e5a123aac62_ story.html? utm_term=.ee490

http:// www.espn.com/ nfl/story/_/id/ 15608840/native- americans-say- unbothered- redskins-team- name- washington-post- poll