Too Little Too Late

The recent controversy regarding the Washington Redskins refusal to change their blatantly offensive name has brought about great discussion surrounding the practice of using outdated terms and imagery of Native Americans to represent sports teams. Native American monikers have been longstanding "go-tos" when it comes to naming a sports team. this practice has been going on for far too long, with roots seated deep within the cultural fabric of America. For years it has been casually accepted that while " yes, these names and mascots care offensive, we've had them for so long we cant change them now!" This applied apathy can be juxtaposed with the same attitudes that allowed but segregation of African Americans as well as the practice of slavery. It is in my opinion that not only should the use of derogatory terms for sports team be stopped, but that the strong push for these names to be changed has come too late.  

It is impossible to argue that terms such as "Redskin" or mascots such as "Chief Wahoo" are not racist. What makes these terms different from other derogatory terms such as "spic" or "nigger"? Paralleling a term with a favorite pastime such a football, is certainly different than being associated with slavery and oppression. It is this fact that has allowed for further subjugation of Native American people to not only continue, but be celebrated to this day. Unfortunately, these team names and mascots have become so ingrained into our society that terms such as "scalping" the opposition, or going on a "warpath" are commonplace. By allowing these terms to be be associated with things so very dear to the majority of people is effective allowing for racism and opprssion to be further integrated into our society.

It is easy to say that these names are "tradition" and "have been around for this long, why change now?", but if this attitude was employed 148 years ago, slavery would still exist in the United States. The idea that tradition is a valid reason to continue a practice which is utterly racist is one which is not only ridiculous, but on a basic level lazy. choosing to sit back and allow this is a failure of society, and has been going on for far too long. Traditions can be either wonderful or extremely damaging, and in this case the aforementioned "tradition" is not only one of ignorance, but hate as well.

It is encouraging that the Redskins' are being pressured to change their name, unfortunately, the franchise is resisting this current push on basis of "tradition". Again, we must ask ourselves: is this tradition is worth keeping? For the Redskins to keep their offensive name is simply fueling a racist tradition which should be eliminated. By stripping these oppressive ideals from popular culture the a strong source of power for them is removed, but to allow it to continue, is to allow prejudice against Native Americans to be further seated into what is "acceptable" in American culture.