Interestingly enough, there was a thread regarding the word "jap" on this very board almost 10 years ago to the day. Bill Parcells said the following:
"Mike wants the defense to do well, and Sean, he's going to have a few ... no disrespect for the Orientals, but what we call Jap plays. OK. Surprise things."
Aside from the anachronistic use of "Orientals," the majority of the posters saw absolutely nothing wrong with the term Jap. I was totally offended by it, but I was getting lectured on how the word was used in wartime to describe the enemy, how Parcells was using an analogy for trickery (which in itself has racist undertones), etc.
Once my Marine buddies returned State-side, many of them used the word "haji" to describe citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq... although the actual term (hajji describes one who has made the trek to Mecca), they used the word to dehumanize an enemy during a time of combat. Same with Japs, same with skinnies, same with Krauts. I'm passing no judgment on a soldier's usage of words to fit their psyches in a time of war. My problem is with the acceptance of such words in any context outside of imminent death.
We're not solving the real issues facing Native Americans- poverty, alcoholism, lack of education.
I often see this used as a deterrent for name change. Because there is no immediate solution for socio-economic destitution (created by chapters of stolen lands, broken treaties and overall annihilation), this fight has no bearing? How about we start seeing this group as humans instead of one codified by trademarks and helmet mascots.
But Redskins are a (random) Native American high school's nickname.
Yeah, that's what a few hundred years of pop culture indoctrination can do to your self-perception.
The name should change only if Native Americans themselves are offended.
First off, where is this in the societal norm rule book? If someone drops the n bomb towards one of my black friends, I'm taking umbrage. As for the 2004 Annenberg poll, 90% of 750+ respondents were not offended. This poll has been used ad nauseam by name supporters.
This was just released two weeks ago. This poll has a smaller sample size, but the numbers are very different. With more NAs being against the name, the pro-Redskin argument shifts to...
"Redskins" was created by Native Americans to distinguish themselves from the white settlers. The terms symbolizes courage and honor. Why would an owner use a derogatory name for his own team?
This is a pretty good example of why I'm all for dropping the Redskins name. I don't care where or how a word is rooted- Redskin, Jap, Colored. As language develops, words change meaning over time. It isn't a case of political correctness run amok- it's a cultural phenomenon that exists within etymology.
Political correctness is getting out of hand!
Settle down... according to
SportsNation, it's only 1/3 out of hand. But what happens in one year when that becomes 2/3? I feel like pro-name supporters keep moving the goal posts whenever public sentiment shifts further and further away from them.