There's been quite a bit of public debate and controversy recently over names used by various sports teams. Some names have proved to be offensive to sizable communities and minorities in America, and there have been increasingly shrill demands for these teams to change their name. One of the biggest and most visible culprits is the Washington Redskins. It turns out that this particular name has become a bit of a lightning rod. There have been more and more calls for the team to change its name; the more time goes by, the more extreme has been the offense taken to the name. It has terrible connotations - not only now but throughout US history. You'd think that, in this day and age, we would treat everyone the same - but the Washington Redskins are a constant reminder of how one group is treated very differently from others. So, as a result of intense pressure, I heard today that the team will, with immediate effect, change its name. No longer will the American public be reminded daily of injustice and unfairness. The name, which causes so much anger and offense and frustration with its simply awful connotations, will be removed. As of today, the team will be known as... ...the DC Redskins.
Yeah, heard they were taking the "Washington" out because it's too embarrassing. Here's a way they could keep the name the same and quit "offending": make their mascot a peanut! redskinned peanuts...
LOL!!! I saw that somewhere else today!!!! Love it!!!! I also saw another one... Did you know that a gathering of baboons is called a "Congress". LOL Yes, yes I did know that! LOL
I agree with commentator Charles Krauthammer on this one. He points out that even though a word or term was innocuous does not mean that it will forever stay that way. His position is that words and terms have a life of their own and grow over time. So even though, in this case almost no one was offended by the name 'Redskins' say 50 years ago.... overtime, for better or worse that term has taken on new meaning and evolved from the inoffensive to the offensive for many modern day citizens. I'm not one for being overly politically correct, but I do believe Charles has a logical point on this one.
Marie, you miss the whole point. The REDSKINS wasn't the offensive part, but the WASHINGTON. It was a joke.
