"Redskins": A Native's Guide To Debating An Inglorious Word

"Redskins": A Native's Guide To Debating An Inglorious Word

This is the most intelligent and nuanced overview I have read.

My perspective is not so nuanced. I'm not exactly Mr Politically Correct, to say the least, but I have been opposed to this name for decades, and am surprised that it took so long for this debate to reach the front burner. Redskins is not a name like Braves or Indians or Warriors, which are neutral or positive in connotation (although some of their logos are completely embarrassing). It is simply a racial slur which no decent person would utter in any other context besides referring to a certain team in our nation's capital. Would we tolerate a WNBA team called the Cleveland Cunts? A NBA team called the New Jersey Niggers? A polo team called the Frisco Faggots? Well, none of those names are worse than the Washington Redskins. In fact, I'd argue that Redskins is worse than Cunts because even the most liberal among us, in frustration at a difficult sister-in-law, might mutter "what a cunt" to his cronies, but would swallow "that redskin" in a similar context, never daring to hear himself say it aloud.

Hey - that leads me to a solution. Just change the Redskins' name to the Capital Cunts. Less offensive. Problem solved.