Onion Article on Redskins

VivaPalestina

Too harsh? The Onion is not known for its subtlety.
I have heard a couple of native Indian speakers on this and some sports team's names, mascots seem really quite offensive. I guess an interesting way of pointing out the racism involved here.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/redski ... ens,34292/

WASHINGTON—Denying widespread claims that the franchise is being offensive or disrespectful, the Washington Redskins’ kike owner announced Monday that he remains steadfast in his refusal to change the team’s derogatory name. “The Redskins represent 81 years of great history and tradition, and it’s a source of pride for our fans,” said the hook-nosed kike, stressing that the team’s insulting moniker is “absolutely not a racial slur by any means.” “‘Washington Redskins’ is much more than just a name. It stands for strength, courage, and respect—the very values that are so intrinsic to Native American culture.” The shifty-eyed hebe went on to assure fans that he will do “everything in his power” to preserve the team’s proud heritage.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

I see how the Onion is being incredibly offensive- not just to the Skins' kike owner- but to many others as well with such a brutally stereotyped portrayal.

If the team was called 'Custer's Cavalry' or the 'Nazis'... well... then I think there is a real issue. I have many First Nation friends- they think nothing of the name.

jw234911

Leave the name political correctness has killed American wake up to the bigger pitcher here

brianlux

jw234911 wrote:

Leave the name political correctness has killed American wake up to the bigger pitcher here

Yeah man, I'll have another pitcher too. Cheers!

lukin2006

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

I see how the Onion is being incredibly offensive- not just to the Skins' kike owner- but to many others as well with such a brutally stereotyped portrayal.

If the team was called 'Custer's Cavalry' or the 'Nazis'... well... then I think there is a real issue. I have many First Nation friends- they think nothing of the name.

It is a racist term ... it might not gain a lot of attraction because first nation leaders are nowhere near as visible as leaders of other groups. Maybe your friends are less sensitive than others, does't make it right. Does he have to change it no, should he change it yes.

In my opinion it will never be a big headliner ... just because its first nation peoples and the news pay very little attention to them.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

lukin2006 wrote:

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

I see how the Onion is being incredibly offensive- not just to the Skins' kike owner- but to many others as well with such a brutally stereotyped portrayal.

If the team was called 'Custer's Cavalry' or the 'Nazis'... well... then I think there is a real issue. I have many First Nation friends- they think nothing of the name.

It is a racist term ... it might not gain a lot of attraction because first nation leaders are nowhere near as visible as leaders of other groups. Maybe your friends are less sensitive than others, does't make it right. Does he have to change it no, should he change it yes.

In my opinion it will never be a big headliner ... just because its first nation peoples and the news pay very little attention to them.

I understand this, Lukin. I'm not arguing for the guy's right to preserve his team's name, I'm saying that despite the negative connotations associated with the 'word' that some might be upset with... to me, in a way, the name pays tribute to a brave people. I realize this likely wasn't a deliberate attempt to do so, but I don't think it was a deliberate attempt to mock native nations either.

To the article though: the Onion was way out of bounds with their stereotypical portrayal of Snyder: much more mean-spirited than arguing for keeping a team's name that seems to dignify as much as it might seem to degrade.

brianlux

The sad and tragic thing is that no matter what happens with this teams name, in the mean time many American Indians continue to live in abject poverty in high crime locations with limited opportunity to move on all stemming from the continental conquest and genocide perpetrated by white Europeans in the 19th century and beyond.

As for the name, I say let the First Nations people decide and honor that decision.

VivaPalestina

I think some good points made here, I think what Sherman Alexie states in this article is pretty powerful as well:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/santac ... dys-mascot

"This Redskins thing, people are talking about it like it's some kind of new fight," said Alexie, on the subject of the most incendiary of the many Indian sports controversies. "Indian activists have been dealing with this for 30 years. Hundreds of high schools have changed their mascots. Hundreds. This is a constant struggle for us. There is no argument to be made here. Using conquered people as mascots is racist. Period. It's the victors cutting of the heads of the losers and mounting them on the wall. There is no debate."

Given this perspective, I can see why the Onion has taken this approach, sort of to wake people up to the racism?

Kat

I have a friend who asked, "What if the team name was the Washington Honkies?"

How would that go down? Acceptable?

Have a great week everyone.

Last-12-Exit

Kat wrote:

I have a friend who asked, "What if the team name was the Washington Honkies?"

How would that go down? Acceptable?

Have a great week everyone.

has honky ever offended anyone?

Thirty Bills Unpaid

North Dakota University dumped The Fighting Sioux in 2012.

I ask... how is such a term offensive? Sport teams generally pick names that represent something brave and strong in battle. To me... a name such as that is more a tribute than an offensive attack.

It seems as if the majority of this thread thinks the Redskins should change their name so, perhaps I have not developed the proper perspective necessary to see the disrespect this sport team's name is to a nation of people. In reality, I truly don't care what they ultimately do, but I do question whether or not our collective level of sensitivity is excessive.

Should Canadians should demand that the Montreal Canadians change their name as well? Their nickname 'Habs' has its roots from Les Habitants of New France. Indebted to seigneurs- who were primarily nobles or clergy members from France- perhaps generations later feel that the name is disrespectful to those that toiled in the soil paying rent and taxes to the privileged class?

Again, I understand fully the plight of our First Nations people and am in full support of any measure we can take to rectify the wrongdoings of the past. I'm simply saying that- outside of a few beer league teams with poor taste- a team doesn't name itself after a worm, virus, or bodily fluid: it names itself after something it finds to be honourable.

Merkin Baller

jw234911 wrote:

Leave the name political correctness has killed American wake up to the bigger pitcher here

David Wells?

Bartolo Colon?

Curt Schilling?

brianlux

Kat wrote:

I have a friend who asked, "What if the team name was the Washington Honkies?"

How would that go down? Acceptable?

Have a great week everyone.

Depends on whether you mean State or DC.

But seriously, a good question, one that leads to another: If the Indians had won the (so called) Indian Wars and had gone on to organize professional sports, would they have named a team "The Honkies"?

Last-12-Exit

Washington Crackers.
Washington Q-Tips
Washington Gringos

Will any of those work Mr. Snider?

JOEJOEJOE

Do people realize The Onion is all satire?

Last-12-Exit

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

Do people realize The Onion is all satire?

yes. why do u ask?

VivaPalestina

brianlux wrote:

Kat wrote:

I have a friend who asked, "What if the team name was the Washington Honkies?"

How would that go down? Acceptable?

Have a great week everyone.

Depends on whether you mean State or DC.

But seriously, a good question, one that leads to another: If the Indians had won the (so called) Indian Wars and had gone on to organize professional sports, would they have named a team "The Honkies"?

And what would a honkies mascot be...

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

North Dakota University dumped The Fighting Sioux in 2012.

I ask... how is such a term offensive? Sport teams generally pick names that represent something brave and strong in battle. To me... a name such as that is more a tribute than an offensive attack.

It seems as if the majority of this thread thinks the Redskins should change their name so, perhaps I have not developed the proper perspective necessary to see the disrespect this sport team's name is to a nation of people. In reality, I truly don't care what they ultimately do, but I do question whether or not our collective level of sensitivity is excessive.

Should Canadians should demand that the Montreal Canadians change their name as well? Their nickname 'Habs' has its roots from Les Habitants of New France. Indebted to seigneurs- who were primarily nobles or clergy members from France- perhaps generations later feel that the name is disrespectful to those that toiled in the soil paying rent and taxes to the privileged class?

Again, I understand fully the plight of our First Nations people and am in full support of any measure we can take to rectify the wrongdoings of the past. I'm simply saying that- outside of a few beer league teams with poor taste- a team doesn't name itself after a worm, virus, or bodily fluid: it names itself after something it finds to be honourable.

I see what you are saying, but there are quite a few Indians who have expressed that it is not an honor. Also, I believe that symbols such as the tomahawk and the headdress are ceremonial, and therefore sacred? And to have these be used in sports seems pretty disrespectful. The NFL is a tax exempt organization and the Native Indians from what I understand, at least in the US, are the poorest, underserved minority, these sports teams' names seem reflective of what they have suffered for centuries, some sort of exploitation. I could be reading a lot more into this.

brianlux

Personally, I'm ready to see this issue put to rest. Lets stop the racial bullshit.

Here's what Spokane Indian writer Sherman Alexie tweeted briefly about the matter:

"Dear white sports fans, walk onto a reservation & call everybody Chief Wahoo or Redskin. I'll visit you in the hospital."

Some readers, of course, took offense, but it makes sense to me.

Alexie and one of his books are also referred to in this excellent article (a bit long to copy and paste here but well worth the time to read):

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary ... atyal.html

even flow - question mark

"kike" i did not think anybody used that term anymore.....giggle......giggle.

Washington should switch their franchise name to the "scalped", then we can hear the "redskins" say sorry to the bad white men who came over here and tried and eventually took away their land. Bloody savages!

Give somebody a pulpit and they will find something to carp about.

vant0037

Imagine the ambivalence of all the Native American scalpers at the World Series tonight.

hedonist

vant0037 wrote:

Imagine the ambivalence of all the Native American scalpers at the World Series tonight.

Reminds me of that Seinfeld :P