J529 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 http://time.com/108893/washington-redskins-name-senators/ Half of all U.S. Senators signed an open letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell calling for a name change for the Washington football team in the wake of the NBA's actions against LA Clipper's owner Donald Sterling Fifty U.S. Senators sent an open letter to National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell Thursday urging him to recommend a name change for the Washington Redskins. The senators — mostly Democrats with two Independents — want Goodell to follow in the footsteps of National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver, who recently banned L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life following racist comments he made in a phone call that was later published publicly. “Today we urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports,” the letter reads. “It’s time for the NFL to endorse a name change for the Washington, D.C. football team.” The letter, penned by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) and signed by 47 of their colleagues, is the largest Congressional call for a Redskins name change. Senator Reid is among the handful of Congressional members who have already openly denounced the team’s name. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) sent along a separate letter, according to a press release. No Republicans signed the letter. The Senators say Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks have “opened up a national conversation about race relations,” noting it’s a perfect opportunity for the NFL to act against the Washington Redskins. “Now is the time for the NFL to act,” the letter continues. “The Washington, D.C. football team is on the wrong side of history. What message does it send to punish slurs against African Americans while endorsing slurs against Native Americans?” The Washington Redskins organization has been the target of a national public relations campaign over the past year, led by Native American tribal organizations that say the term “redskin” is a dictionary-defined racial slur and should be removed as the team’s mascot. Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has said repeatedly that he will not change the name. In March, Snyder announced the team had instead formed the “Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation,” meant to support Native Americans across America. “In speaking face-to-face with Native American leaders and community members, it’s plain to see they need action, not words,” Snyder wrote in a March letter. In their letter, however, Senators argue the name disparages Indian culture and the majority of tribes and tribal organizations have spoke out against it. “This is a matter of tribal sovereignty—and Indian Country has spoken clearly on this issue,” the letter reads. “Tribes have worked for generations to preserve the right to speak their languages and perform their sacred ceremonies … Yet every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C. football team mocks their culture.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J529 Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 Washington Redskins name has been around for many years and all of asudden now it's become issue with politicans have nothing better to do then demand name be changed. If the owner refuses to do so it's this going to become Donald Sterling 2.0 where NFL will force Washington owner to sell the team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 One of the stupidests sports drama stories ever. Been going on for a long time, nothing's changed, so don't expect it will now. It's just a name, people are so fragile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkSniper Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Someone show them a Blackhawks jersey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancaster Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Maybe those Senators should spend more effort fixing their country.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Grimes Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckofSteel Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Redskins, Indians, Blackhawks, Canucks, Yankees, Canadiens, Padres, White Sox, Vikings, Cowboys, Rangers, Islanders, Kings, Ravens, Sharks, Mavericks, Blue Jays and Celtics. All these teams are offensive in one way or another and I demand they all change their names. Just Kidding! Seriously though, everyone just needs to relax and not be so uptight about stupid things like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jägermeister Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 C'mon I'm far from a PC person, but Redskins is a pretty derogatory name. The Cleveland Indians logo is also pretty offensive. Hilarious, but offensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Redskins, Indians, Blackhawks, Canucks, Yankees, Canadiens, Padres, White Sox, Vikings, Cowboys, Rangers, Islanders, Kings, Ravens, Sharks, Mavericks, Blue Jays and Celtics. All these teams are offensive in one way or another and I demand they all change their names. Just Kidding! Seriously though, everyone just needs to relax and not be so uptight about stupid things like this. Redskin is actually a common racist term for natives though. The terms origin is inspired to be offensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Aerosex Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 C'mon I'm far from a PC person, but Redskins is a pretty derogatory name. The Cleveland Indians logo is also pretty offensive. Hilarious, but offensive. Yeah…imagine the uproar if there was a team called the Phoenix Wetbacks or the Oakland Spearchuckers (just making a point, nobody crucify me). Let's be honest, the only reason so many people are like "who cares, it's just a name lighten up" is because Indians as a group have been stomped into obscurity by the rest of society. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keslerific Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Caps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absent Canuck Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Washington Redskins name has been around for many years and all of asudden now it's become issue with politicans have nothing better to do then demand name be changed. If the owner refuses to do so it's this going to become Donald Sterling 2.0 where NFL will force Washington owner to sell the team Mid terms. Need wedge issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J529 Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Maybe those Senators should spend more effort fixing their country.... Shows where their priorities are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offensive Threat Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 The Senators are being pressured by Native groups and they have a very valid point. Redskin is a racial insult. Its a fact. The fact that it has been around for a long time is completely irrelevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrhopeless Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I've got an idea; why don't they give names to the missiles drone aircraft send into wedding parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Common sense Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Mid terms. Need wedge issue. Mid terms. Need wedge issue. Politicians should know better than to use sports as one of them. To stay relevant? Yes. To divide their voter base? Probably not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brick Tamland Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 US economy is in the tank, their medical system is in shambles, their debt is beyond reality but they want to change the name of a team that plays a game? Priorities yo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucklehead Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Someone show them a Blackhawks jersey. Someone show them this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortorella's Rant Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Why is this an issue all of a sudden? I've never heard a peep about it until recently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J529 Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Why is this an issue all of a sudden? I've never heard a peep about it until recently Because of Donald Sterling which has started it up again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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