Political Correctness run amok again!

[WishingOnAStar]

Well, we just found out that the football league that my daughter cheers for has changed its name. We were the Redskins forever and ever and now we have to be the Terps (like the University of MD). They did this to "address the many concerns raised about the political correctness of the former name."

 

[Cindyluwho]

This has happened at Cheif Sealth High School here in Seattle. They're fighting a legal battle but it looks pretty grim. This is so out of whack that the local Native American Tribes are even backing the alumni's decision to keep the name but the state wants it changed. It's as if our government is still patting the natives on the back and saying, "We know what's best for you, you can't take care of yourselves". What a crock!!

 

[NMAmy]

I don't necessarily think that's PC run amok. Just because a name has been around forever doesn't mean it's a good name. I think honoring the name of a tribe is a lot different than calling a team the Redskins.

 

[beckmrk04]

I went to the U of I, where Chief Illiniweik has always been a huge debate. But, I mean, I can see the point.

Would anyone tolerate a team called the "Whiteskins" or the "Blacks"? WHat about the "Asians"? I don't know. Just seems like they are making it a little cartoony, and Native Americans shouldn't be charcaterized like that- no one else is. There is no team characterizing any other group of people, that I can think of.

 

[DawnCt1]

Don't be surprised if the backlash against abandoning the beloved name of the Redskins results in the team being called THE TWERPS.

 

[salmoneous]

I feel for you. Here are for you and your family as you go through this crisis.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

It's not like we had a Native American as our mascot or anything. It's just always been the name. Now, parents have to buy all new uniforms, etc. (not to mention changing the cheers! LOL)

We are going to have a society so afraid of doing anything lest we offend SOMEone with a name, a phrase, etc. I just think enough is enough.

I don't know, maybe I am wrong - I think I'm just tired.............

 

[luvmydogs]

My aunt, who is a Tribal Judge for the Makah tribe in Washington, is offended by these types of names, and her reasonings and discussions with me about this have made me look at things in a very different way. She and many others on her reservation (yes, they still live on one) see this as a disrespectful parody of their heritage, not some type of homage to Native American courage. She doesn't write letters to the editor or stage protests about it, as she has bigger fish to fry in her position; but I'll defer to her and her feelings of dishonor when it comes to this subject.

 

[scrump]

If they had a team called the "Yellowskins" with some crappy looking caricature as a mascot, I'd be pretty ticked off, too.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Of course it is PC run amok. Why not force the Cleveland BROWNS to change their name? Isn't that an insult to non-whites? Oops - that was the founder's name. Never mind. Change it anyway.

Everyone is too damn sensitive. No Redskins. I think Maryland (my alma mater, for that matter) should change from the Terrapins because that is demeaning to turtles in general.

The Houston professional soccer team just had to change their name from "1836" to Dynamo.

Absurd.

 

[beckmrk04]

It's not like we had a Native American as our mascot or anything. It's just always been the name. Now, parents have to buy all new uniforms, etc. (not to mention changing the cheers! LOL)

We are going to have a society so afraid of doing anything lest we offend SOMEone with a name, a phrase, etc. I just think enough is enough.

I don't know, maybe I am wrong - I think I'm just tired.............

I know it sucks to have to put out more money, and God forbid write new cheers , but seriously, I think it is offensive.

I do think there are times when political correctness DOES run amok, for sure, but really, I don't think this is one of them. Like I said- what other group of people has been as caricaturized as Native Americans? Maybe cavemen. But, there aren't any of them left to be offended (unless you believe the Geico commercials). It just doesn't seem right. Let your kids know WHY this is an issue. Because, if you ever met a Native American, would it ever occur to you to call them a "Redskin"? Probably not. Why? Because it's demeaning and insensitive. Just like any other racial/ethnic names... This term was born out of insensitivity to a whole group of people. Maybe it's time for a change.

 

[cardaway]

I agree that it's asburd to change all teams with Native American nicknames, but in the case of Redskins, I believe it's a good idea.

 

[In a hurry]

I am not usually into the big pc game, but to use a name that was born out of ignorance about a group of people is out of date. It is a derogatory term. Some traditions are outdated.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I agree that it's asburd to change all teams with Native American nicknames, but in the case of Redskins, I believe it's a good idea.

I have to agree It's on par with caling a team the Fighting Honkeys or the Kentucy K***'s (insert derogitory name for Jews here)

 

[Bob Slydell]

I have to agree It's on par with caling a team the Fighting Honkeys or the Kentucy K***'s (insert derogitory name for Jews here)

Kind of like the Fighting Irish?

Can't see that nickname changing anytime soon, though.

 

[pearlieq]

I have to agree It's on par with caling a team the Fighting Honkeys or the Kentucy K***'s (insert derogitory name for Jews here)

Exactly! I can understand the added expense might be stressful, but it's for the right reasons.

This is NOT PC run amok!!! Would you feel the same way if the team was named the ******s? (Oops - it got bleeped. I'm so sick of the PC people . Insert N-word)

 

[ford family]

I am not usually into the big pc game, but to use a name that was born out of ignorance about a group of people is out of date. It is a derogatory term. Some traditions are outdated.

Not sure I understand why it was born out of ignorance, surely it was simply describing their skin colour especially when contrasted with that of the immigrants?

ford family

 

[In a hurry]

Not sure I understand why it was born out of ignorance, surely it was simply describing their skin colour especially when contrasted with that of the immigrants?

ford family

I guess that I see it as one group naming a nation of people based on a physical caractoristic, rather than respecting that nation and calling them what they prefered to be called.

I am part hispanic, and I would be offended to be called by the color of my skin, even if you could come up with a name that is accurate for it! Let alone any of the derogatory names for hispanics!

 

[dcgrumpy]

Kind of like the Fighting Irish?

Can't see that nickname changing anytime soon, though.

but Irish isn't a derogatory term, honkey, kike and redskin are

 

[binny]

This has happened at Cheif Sealth High School here in Seattle. They're fighting a legal battle but it looks pretty grim. This is so out of whack that the local Native American Tribes are even backing the alumni's decision to keep the name but the state wants it changed. It's as if our government is still patting the natives on the back and saying, "We know what's best for you, you can't take care of yourselves". What a crock!!

sadly, this is nothing new and reeks of reservation mentality.


We're having the same battle here in Idaho. Its no longer Squaw Butte Its "Freezeout Hill" or something like that.


ETA:

I know that Squaw is an extremely offensive term so that probably wasnt the best example... Its just the latest in a long stream of changes the government, not necesarily the people who they think are offended by it, want



Signed Binny, who is VERY proud of her Cherokee heritage.