Lebodome: Redskins vs Redtails
From Scott Leibowitz. Find Scott on Twitter @Lebodome, email him at [email protected].
Not so red. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Every few years or so a discussion about the name “Washington Redskins” makes it into the public sphere, and every time the issue goes away with little or no progress toward changing. The issue is pretty clear and yet, it never moves forward.
The team name and logo is all based on the history of the area and the original intention was to honor the proud native american heritage. However, today (and even back then), the term “redskin” is generally considered offensive. Now it is only a stark reminder of the diminished Native American presence thanks to our European ancestors, aka founders. The controversy has lasted so long it even has its own Wikipedia page. Here is a pretty good wrap up of the issue.
Recently a DC Council member tried to get a resolution passed that would change the name to “Redtails” to honor the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II. The logic being it sounds like “Redskins” and could be easily replaced in the Redskins fight song and color scheme. The issue has a lot of opinions from a lot of sides. The public tends not to care, and with the current owner Dan Snyder change is most likely not going to come from the team.
I understand there is a lot of history with locals with this name, but frankly there is a longer history of it being uglier and, thus, worth the change. The NCAA banned offensive teams mascots from postseason play and it didn’t shake the foundation of college sports. Maybe one day the team will make the right decision, but I have serious doubts.
Some Good News
Finally, Good News: DC cabs are gonna take credit cards. BOOM!
Links! Links! Ice Cold Links!
David Bowie’s Space Oddity, sung in space. This Canadian astronaut is making space cool again.
New Spock meets Old Spock in this awesome Audi commercial. Yes I am that nerd.
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” is back. Finally, a good show gets revived.
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