The Great Joe Rogan Debate Was Great for the Right
CNN's Scott Jennings Delivered Another Masterclass in Owning the Libs on Trust in...
Democrats Move to Destroy the Earth
Correspondent From Defamation Network CNN Asks New-Media Reporters If They Are 'Real' Jour...
Take Out Iran's Nuclear Facilities Now
Electric Vehicles: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Willful Idiots
The Illegal Aid Society Is Making New York Unsafe
'Round Up the Usual Suspects'
Restoring Integrity in America's Student Loan System
Young Minds, Big Sound: Students Experience the Magic of Live Orchestral Music at...
Caraveo Faces Lukewarm Reception As Democrats Push for More Progressive Candidate, Giving...
Trump Signs Multiple Executive Orders on Education, Including Against Accreditors Using DE...
As Van Hollen Defends Illegal Immigrant, a New 'Maryland Man' Is Charged With...
Yet Another Outlet Goes for Hit Piece Against Pete Hegseth, and This One...
Tipsheet

Washington Redskins to Ditch Native American Logo

AP/Reuters Feed Library

Aunt Jemima disappeared from the syrup bottles. Uncle Ben has been wiped from rice boxes. Now, the Native American warrior that has been an icon of the Washington Redskins’ football team since 1971 is being shown the door.  

Advertisement

The team’s name and logo has been a source of controversy for years but had thus far withstood calls for revision. In the weeks of rioting and protests that have followed the killing of George Floyd, however, Americans’ increased sensitivity to race and appropriation may deal the final blow. While the team has not yet announced whether it will change its name, it has promised to undergo a “thorough review” of it and are reportedly dropping the mascot.

Ironically, the Redskins’ current logo was designed in close consultation with Native American leaders. Among those who unanimously approved and voiced praise for the logo was Walter Wetzel, a former president of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the Blackfeet Nation. Wetzel had been deeply involved with United States President John F. Kennedy in the movement for civil liberties, civil rights, and economic freedom for all.

“It needs to be said that an Indian from the state of Montana created that logo, and he did it the right way,” Wetzel’s son, Don, said in a 2014 interview. “It represents the Red Nation and it’s something to be proud of.

President Trump said as much in a recent tweet in such he noted that the Redskins name and iconography was a symbol of strength, not mockery.

Advertisement

The president was quickly lambasted for his statement, but a 2016 poll by the Washington Post found that 9 in 10 Native Americans were not offended by the name “Redskins.” The greater concern, according to several of the participants, is a loss of Native American culture altogether or the substance abuse that plagues many Indian communities.

“I think the hoo-ha about it is crazy,” said Jean Manfred, a member of the Pamunkey tribe. “To me, it’s kind of like an honor. I think we should be proud to have a team named after us.”

Nonetheless, the woke have deemed the name offensive and are pressuring the team to take action. Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Nike have all announced they will no longer sell Redskins merchandise.

The team hasn’t announced what new names are in the running, but the Washington Warriors, Redtails, and Pigskins have all been suggested as possible alternatives. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement