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President Barack Obama says he would "think about changing" the Washington Redskins' name if he owned the football team as he waded into the controversy involving a word many consider offensive to Native Americans.
Obama, in an interview with The Associated Press, said team names such as the Redskins offend "a sizable group of people." He said that while fans get attached to the names, nostalgia may not be a good enough reason to keep them in place.
"I don't know whether our attachment to a particular name should override the real legitimate concerns that people have about these things," he said in the interview, which was conducted Friday at the White House.
An avid sports fan who roots for his hometown Chicago Bears, Obama said he doesn't think Washington football fans are purposely trying to offend American Indians. "I don't want to detract from the wonderful Redskins fans that are here. They love their team and rightly so," he said.
But he appeared to come down on the side of those who have sharply criticized the football team's name, noting that Indians "feel pretty strongly" about mascots and team names that depict negative stereotypes about their heritage.
The team's owner, Dan Snyder has vowed to never abandon the name.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said last month that the league should pay attention to those offended by the name - a subtle change in position for Goodell, who had more strongly supported the name in his previous statements this year.
Lanny J. Davis, an attorney for the Redskins, said the team's fans don't intend to "disparage or disrespect" anyone.
"The name 'Washington Redskins' is 80 years old. It's our history and legacy and tradition," Davis said in an emailed statement in which he also identified himself as an Obama supporter. "We Redskins fans sing 'Hail to the Redskins' every Sunday as a word of honor, not disparagement."
Other professional sports teams have Indian names, including football's Kansas City Chiefs and baseball's Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians. Davis referred to fans of those teams and hockey's Chicago Blackhawks in his statement, saying Redskins fans "love our team and its name and, like those fans, we do not intend to disparage or disrespect a racial or ethnic group."
Numerous colleges and universities have changed names that reference Native Americans. St. John's changed its mascot from the Redmen to the Red Storm, Marquette is now the Golden Eagles instead of the Warriors and Stanford switched from the Indians to the Cardinal.
The Redskins' name has attracted a fresh round of controversy in recent months, with local leaders in Washington calling for a name change and some media outlets refraining from using the name. The name is the subject of a long-running legal challenge from a group of American Indians seeking to block the team from having federal trademark protection.
Congressional lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking the same goal, though it appears unlikely to pass.
"What a prudent and wise use of the bully pulpit," Suzan Shown Harjo, a plaintiff in that case, said in an interview Saturday. "I am so glad that he said that and I hope that people hear a reasoned response from the president and will pay attention to this issue."
Harjo said the issue "involves lots of hurt and pain and ongoing name-calling and bullying of our children that goes with this name. We just need to have an end to it."
"There's no such thing as a good stereotype, no matter how well-intentioned, no matter how good people feel about it," Harjo added. "It still has negative ramifications for our people."
"These are relics of the past. They should be consigned to museums and history books and people can feel good about them there," she said. "But they should not be allowed in polite society."
Opponents of the Redskins name plan to hold a symposium Monday at the Washington hotel hosting the NFL's fall meeting.
"We really appreciate the president underscoring what we've been saying," said Ray Halbritter, leader of the Oneida Indian Nation, a tribe from upstate New York that's been campaigning against the name. "There's just no place for a professional football team to be using what the dictionary defines as a racially offensive term."
Halbritter said the NFL and Snyder could "borrow a page from the president" and use a decision to change the team's name as a "teachable moment."
Despite the controversy, an AP-GfK poll conducted in April showed that, nationally, "Redskins" still enjoys wide support. Nearly 4 in 5 Americans don't think the team should change its name, the survey found. Only 11 percent think it should be changed, while 8 percent weren't sure and 2 percent didn't answer.
Obama said he doesn't have a direct stake in the Redskins debate since he's not a team owner. But he hinted that might be part of his post-White House plans.
"Maybe after I leave the presidency," he joked. "I think it would be a lot of fun."
"I'd probably look at a basketball team before I looked at a football team," said Obama, who plays basketball in his spare time, has coached his daughter's basketball team and is a fan of the NBA's Chicago Bulls. "I know more about basketball than I do about football."
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2013/10/06 08:14:47
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2013/10/05 23:57:43
Subject: Re:Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Fair enough. Tradition and not meaning to cause offence (or in this case saying it promotes the culture) doesn't really justify having a racist name. Still Uncle Ben's carries on being a major brand years after the Civil Rights movement, so I guess it may take someone in a position of power to call people on this type of thing.
2013/10/06 00:58:38
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Misleading thread title, and I would almost consider it a mild try at trolling.
He didn't say he wants to change the name. He both acknowledged how people can be offended by it and how people are attached to it, and that both are something to think about.
"I would think about changing the name if I personally would on the team" is not even close to the same as "I want this team to change the name".
2013/10/06 01:02:34
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
d-usa wrote: Misleading thread title, and I would almost consider it a mild try at trolling.
He didn't say he wants to change the name. He both acknowledged how people can be offended by it and how people are attached to it, and that both are something to think about.
"I would think about changing the name if I personally would on the team" is not even close to the same as "I want this team to change the name".
You sure like to backseat mod around here don't you.
Full Frontal Nerdity
2013/10/06 01:05:01
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
d-usa wrote: Misleading thread title, and I would almost consider it a mild try at trolling.
He didn't say he wants to change the name. He both acknowledged how people can be offended by it and how people are attached to it, and that both are something to think about.
"I would think about changing the name if I personally would on the team" is not even close to the same as "I want this team to change the name".
You sure like to backseat mod around here don't you.
How is pointing out that the title is false and not what the quotes actually say "backseat modding"?
2013/10/06 01:10:00
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Sasori wrote: I read this article today. I think it's silly to change their name.
Then you clearly don't understand the history of the situation. This isn't one of those debatable names like "Chiefs" where you can argue about whether or not it's ok to use images of a group that our society has persecuted and abused pretty badly, the (former) owner of the team was an open racist and picked the name as a deliberate attempt to be as racist and offensive as possible. It's about as "controversial" as a KKK member buying a team and changing their name to a racist name for black people, complete with offensive stereotype mascots.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/06 01:10:29
There is no such thing as a hobby without politics. "Leave politics at the door" is itself a political statement, an endorsement of the status quo and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
0012/10/02 01:15:36
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Peregrine wrote: It's about as "controversial" as a KKK member buying a team and changing their name to a racist name for black people, complete with offensive stereotype mascots.
And then the white fans can show up in black-face!
2013/10/06 01:26:19
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
And then the white fans can show up in black-face!
My father actually refers to the Indians mascot as 'Little Red Sambo'.
I know! IF they are going to be racially insulting, it should be equal. How about The Houston Honkies? or the Washington Wetbacks? Puts a whole new spin on the Cleveland Browns, doesn't it?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/06 01:26:46
Fate is in heaven, armor is on the chest, accomplishment is in the feet. - Nagao Kagetora
2013/10/06 01:34:25
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
The team was originally named the "boston braves" because back in the day, all of the teams of a particular stadium were named the same for all sports. So if a Stadium had football and baseball, they were *BOTH* called the same thing.
When the team moved out of the stadium, it needed a new name. In 1755, there was a proclamation which basically decided the Penobscot tribe in massachusetts was 'against the king' and they had to be exterminated. They offered bounties for scalps and those scalps were collected by fur trappers who would murder people in addition to trap furs. When selling their 'skins' to avoid discussing that they were dealing in human flesh, they simply called the scalps 'redskins'.
Redskins as a massachusetts origin and specific meaning, and being a localized term, was chosen by the team. Now it has been argued that 'redskins' has had independent origins elsewhere in the country. There was a Mississippi tribe which would use the term 'redskin' as a term of power and distinguishing from others. There are other origins as well which people want to use to justify 'if native amaricans used it, it can't be offensive!'
The term when localized to the origin of the team has a horribly dark origin based on genocide and dehumanizing Native Americans. While no one can know for sure if that is why the term was used, or if it was an innocent use of a term that became generalized to refer to people of color which was 'acceptable' during those all too tolerant :rolleyes: 1930s, the bottom line is it has a bad origin and sports teams names change.
Hell, We changed our Basketball team from the Washington Bullets to the Wizards because they didn't want to reference the high murder rate of the capital. People cried, and now no one cares.
Those guys in facepaint are unreasonable... that is just not reasonable. If I did that with Blackface, I could be charged with a hatecrime in some jurisdictions.
Edit: I am a Redskins fan. They are my home team and I have been a hardcore fan for 25 years. I can't justify the name in any way because when compared to every other term, this one is far worse than simply objectifying human mascots because it is actually a term with a slur origin. I can see people defending the chiefs and braves as they are not necessarily negative terms, but I know some people have issues with all human mascots period.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2013/10/06 01:40:47
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2013/10/06 01:38:56
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
I'm surprised the team name Yankee has not been majorly offensive anyone yet, especially since it has lots of derogatory connotations to it through several different interpretations.
WarOne wrote: I'm surprised the team name Yankee has not been majorly offensive anyone yet, especially since it has lots of derogatory connotations to it through several different interpretations.
Well one difference is that a Yankee gave the team the name Yankee, and the vast fan base is made up of Yankees. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish was selected by, well, fighting Irish, and is couched in the tradition. The Redskins were not named by a native, nor are they the major fan base. Redskin is more akin to another racial epithet then it is to Yankee, or even cracker, and trying to give them all equal weight is a dandy bit of equivocation.
tl;dr Yankee isn't really an insult anymore, Redskin still is.
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
2013/10/06 02:17:52
Subject: Re:Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Sasori wrote: I read this article today. I think it's silly to change their name.
Then you clearly don't understand the history of the situation. This isn't one of those debatable names like "Chiefs" where you can argue about whether or not it's ok to use images of a group that our society has persecuted and abused pretty badly, the (former) owner of the team was an open racist and picked the name as a deliberate attempt to be as racist and offensive as possible. It's about as "controversial" as a KKK member buying a team and changing their name to a racist name for black people, complete with offensive stereotype mascots.
While I appreciate the history lesson, it still doesn't change my opinion.
Peregrine wrote: It's about as "controversial" as a KKK member buying a team and changing their name to a racist name for black people, complete with offensive stereotype mascots.
And then the white fans can show up in black-face!
That being said and out of my system, I do sympathize with those that want to change the name of the Redskins. A lot of people that avoid the n word don't think twice about being a fan of the Redskins, yet my sister, who works on a reservation school, tells me that the name for the team goes down not well at all. It's like a weekly institutionalized insult during the fall, she says.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/06 02:40:40
2013/10/06 02:42:24
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Peregrine wrote: It's about as "controversial" as a KKK member buying a team and changing their name to a racist name for black people, complete with offensive stereotype mascots.
And then the white fans can show up in black-face!
How about "Blonde Face"?
Or "Green Face?"
That being said and out of my system, I do sympathize with those that want to change the name of the Redskins. A lot of people that avoid the n word don't think twice about being a fan of the Redskins, yet my sister, who works on a reservation school, tells me that the name for the team goes down not well at all. It's like a weekly institutionalized insult during the fall, she says.
I am assuming that you are smart enough to know the difference between painting your face in a team color or the color of an outfit of a mythical creature or "white people" painting their face with a fake beard of other "white people" and "red face" though.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/06 02:47:40
2013/10/06 02:58:14
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Red is the team color for the Redskins, though, and the Viking fans I pictured have a similar face paint scheme.
The thing I am trying to say is that characature is one of the things you are going to see at almost any major sporting event.
Do I like the name Redskins? Not really, due to reasons I stated in my earlier post, and I think the name ought to be changed.
However I don't think the fans that get decked out in red face paint are anymore
racist than people that dress up like ridiculous a drunken Leprechaun or Viking.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
cincydooley wrote: Rick Reilly had a really good article pointing out how very few of the people this is actually supposed to offend are offended:
Ahh, American white guilt and political correctness. Gotta love it.
Interesting he quotes a Blackfoot in the article since I know Blackfeet that are offended by the name, one of them being Woody Kipp, author of the book, "A Viet Cong at Wounded Knee".
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/06 03:04:43
2013/10/06 03:19:13
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Ahtman wrote: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish was selected by, well, fighting Irish, and is couched in the tradition.
There's an understatement.
"Your soldier's heart almost stood still as he watched those sons of Erin fearlessly rush to their death. The brilliant assault on Marye's Heights of their Irish Brigade was beyond description. Why, my darling, we forgot they were fighting us, and cheer after cheer at their fearlessness went up all along our lines." Gen George Pickett.
"I cannot tell you how real and how sincere a pleasure I feel tonight in once more addressing the members of that famous unit. You need no eulogy from me or from any other man. You have written your own history and written it in red on your enemies' breast, but when I think of your patience under adversity, your courage under fire, and your modesty in victory, I am filled with an emotion of admiration I cannot express. You have carved your own statue upon the hearts of your people, you have built your own monument in the memory of your compatriots." Gen Douglas MacArthur.
Fate is in heaven, armor is on the chest, accomplishment is in the feet. - Nagao Kagetora
2013/10/06 03:34:27
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
d-usa wrote: White people dressed up like other white people though.
And Viking, at least last I checked, wasn't considered a derogatory term. Calling a Viking a Viking is just good manners, but calling a Blackfoot a redskin is just dickish.
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
2013/10/06 03:49:33
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
Relapse wrote: Red is the team color for the Redskins, though,
Well technically it's Burgundy (and gold and white) .
And I don't think the team color includes "crazy native facepaint, buckteeth, and feathers"
and the Viking fans I pictured have a similar face paint scheme.
White people dressed up like other white people though.
But as I said, you are going to find characature at any major sporting event, it doesn't mean the people doing it honestly think Irish are all drunkards or Scandinavians are all pillagers, or the various American tribal groups are screaming savages.
I think we may be somewhat on the same page, though with all other things being said, about the name Redskins not being a good thing.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/10/06 03:51:21
2013/10/06 03:55:53
Subject: Obama wants The Redskins to change their name
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