Congress to Daniel Snyder: Redskins Nickname is Like ‘N-Word’
By Josh Sanchez
Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has said that he does not view the Redskins nickname as a racist or offensive term and he has vowed to NEVER change the name, but he is getting pushed by members of congress to pull a switcheroo and get the team a new nickname. It doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime son, but Snyder has been receiving letters that put the nickname in a very ugly light.
In the letters, congress members are telling Snyder that the Redskins nickname is just as offensive to the Native Americans as the “n-word” is to the African American community.
“Native Americans throughout the country consider the R-word a racial, derogatory slur akin to the N-word among African Americans or the W-word among Latinos,” the letter reads. “Such offensive epithets would no doubt draw widespread disapproval among the NFL’s fan base. Yet the national coverage of Washington’s NFL football team profits from a term that is equally disparaging to Native Americans.”
The letter was signed by Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) and Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota), as well as Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s delegate in Congress. Cole and McCollum are co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus.
One of the suggested names for the Redskins was the “Redtails”. That doesn’t sound like something that would stick.
What do you think of the issue? Should the Redskins change their name or is it a tradition that should continue? Sound off in the comments section and share your thoughts.