Washington Redskin Name Conflict

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Felicia Rollberg
November 29th 2015
Conflict Paper
Washington Redskin Name Conflict What is in a name? A name can define who we believe we are, it can give us something to fight for, and it can unite people together. For the National Football League’s Washington Redskins they will have to fight for their name if they aim to keep it. It will not be a fight easily won however as the Oneida Indian Nation, and the National Congress of American Indians as well as several tribes across the country are doing all they can to force a name change on the grounds that the name is a racial slur and is highly offensive to the Native American people. The NFL Washington team owner and his supporters believe they are not being derogatory using the name, and …show more content…
Washington Redskins team owner Daniel Snyder has been standing his ground over the controversy of the teams’ name, very firmly standing by his belief that the name is not disrespectful but is a term of honor. Standing with Snyder on the issue is NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who agrees whole heartedly that the name is meant to honor not disrespect the Native American people. Snyder and other supporters of the team do not feel they are being disrespectful to the Native Americans because they are not using the word is a derogatory manner. They are not encouraging violence against the Natives or anyone else, and the use of the word represents much more to the fans than a racial slur. Snyder also reminded everyone that the team was named after its very first head coach, who was Native American- as a way to honor his roots; and the logo was also supported and co-created by a former president of the National Congress of American Indians. According to ESPN.go.com, ““A Redskin is a football player. A Redskin is our fans. The Washington Redskins fan base represents honor, represents respect, represents pride. Hopefully winning," Snyder said”. The team, and its supporters feel that they are doing nothing wrong, they are proud of their team, who they are and where they are

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