My local newspaper won't call one of our local high schools by its nicknames, the "Indians." Yet I have seen Native Americans walking around wearing Redskins jackets.
So I'm wondering, do these nicknames offend you? Why or why not?
2006-09-25 03:53:26 · 12 answers · asked by Lawn Jockey 4 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
YES! Its a form of prejudice. I understand that the names of sports were meant to honor the American Indian (so its said) but, I don't see the New York ******, or the Alabama Yellowskins. Its doesn't honor us. It degrades us. To be a leader is a great honor to us, to have the images of our leaders(chiefs) or racist names used to promote a sports team, to us, degrades our traditions, our people, our history.
To us, in our history warriors were not just esteemed for their battle skills but, for the way they lived. They were loving family men, a brother or father to not just blood relatives but all the people in his community. He tried hard to live right by the codes and laws of his people. He was honored. Yet, you go to sports team events and see someone running around in buckskins waving a tomohawk, and doing some crazy scream. Its a representation of this loving family man but he isn't seen as a family man he is seen as a wild man. Our kids see this and it hurts them and makes them angry or ashamed to be Indian because they think that this is the only way people see them.
Also, how many people out there think that Indians today wear buckskin and feathers in their hair. We don't. We carry cell phones, have jobs, go to school, and dress like everyone else.
We like sports too and some of our favorite sports teams have degrading names but we still want to tell people we think the team itself is our favorite, NOT the name. So yeah, we sometimes wear Redskins jackets. I myself live in Cleveland and I refuse to wear Cleveland Indians clothes. But, my kids do..its their choice. They understand, but, my son loves baseball so much and the Indians are his favorite team. He wants to advertise his love for the team itself.
I hope I made you understand that we are still a people with feelings. I think your local newspaper is doing right by not calling your local team "Indians" its a small start but its still a start. It means that people are being educated and taking American Indians seriously. And seeing them as people too. Please, stop and think about how you would feel if this was your religion, your people, you leaders, your history being made fun of and misrepresented. And thank you for asking this question...it means you are curious to learn and its a great thing to learn.
2006-09-25 04:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by Bethie 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I find Redskins offensive. It's the equivalent of calling an African American the N-word. The fact that Washington would use a racial epithet as their team name is disgusting, and disrespectful. Indians and Chiefs however, don't bother me as neither of those names hurts or degrades my people.
2006-09-25 13:46:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a white guy I'm offended by the Notre Dame Fightning Irish and the Boston Celtics
2006-09-25 11:04:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two full Native American friends. Neither one is the least bit offended and both think it's just an example of everyone in this country finding a problem with everything they possibly can and bitching about it. I'm white and if a team wants to call themselves the "Crackers" or whatever it won't bother me. Hell, I'd buy a jersey.
2006-09-25 11:36:19 · answer #4 · answered by redrum5785 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
How could "Indians" be offensive. I mean if it is, people are just looking for a reason to be offended. I guess Redskins or Savages could be more offensive, but names like Braves or Warriors or Indians, I just don't see how that would be offensive.
2006-09-25 11:03:45 · answer #5 · answered by shominyyuspa 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they should change their names to the Washington Native Americans
2006-09-25 10:56:20 · answer #6 · answered by khm8891 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have several native friends. they all say its racist but that is the
way it is & will stay that way.native americans are the only race
that people & the government don't mind offending.
2006-09-25 11:02:58 · answer #7 · answered by daniel b 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if there was a team named the honkeys or the spicks or the ******* i think it would offend people so why should we call indians redskins
2006-09-25 10:56:09 · answer #8 · answered by Sentient6 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When I think of Redskins, I think of football. Just like when I think of the Lakers, I think of basketball, not lakes.
2006-09-25 11:08:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think sometime we try to be too " politically correct" .they don't offend me personally, I am part indian and proud to be called that.
2006-09-25 11:05:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋