Before I dive into this new absurd obsession of societal justice for the rich and the entitled, I do have to admit at first I did not care about this issue whatsoever. Change the name, don’t change the name. I didn’t care. Especially coming from a league that is now promoting, and toying with the idea of two racially segregated national anthems to be performed before the start of every game. But, then the usual suspects came riding in on their high horses; shit eating grins a plenty, jerking off to the typical shallow, and misguided victory. And, well, now I’m nauseated by it. They essentially brought me into full-on Redskins fandom.
I could rant and rave about the very common deficits the anti-redskins clan revel in whether it be free speech, open mindedness, or just the sick fetish they have for protesting against tradition; but I’d rather actual American Indians, and their history speak for itself.
Washington's logo has been an Indian chief since 1971. It was designed by Native American Walter “Blackie” Wetzel to depict a member of the Blackfeet tribe. Prior to the Indian Chief head as the logo, it was simply just the letter “R,” from 1932-1971. One of the most influential Indian Rights activists, and Blackfeet Tribal leader designed the head logo for the team in order to create more pride, and imagery awareness for American Indians as a whole. (406 Montana Sports)
"Never did my Dad express to me that the name Redskins was a derogatory term, if someone came up to me and used the term, it was always used in a sports context. And, I would always respond with “That’s My Team.” Everyone is pretty upset (about the change). When I see that logo, I take pride in it. You look at the depiction of the Redskins logo and it’s of a true Native American. I always felt it was representing my people. That's now gone.” (News Talk 95.5)
-Lance Wetzel (Son of Blackfeet Tribal Leader Walter “Blackie” Wetzel)
This name, the franchise, the logo it was never deemed offensive by the people it was supposedly offending; until it became politically, and socially efficient for the gain of influential power for certain political factions. Ironically made up of old rich white men and women. The Washington Redskins, as a billion dollar entity were always aware of the nagging protests by bored suburban white kids. In response they were always in support of rolling out new, and updated polling data over the decades showcasing the overwhelming support for the name and logo from Native Americans themselves.
Cue 2020, and racial tensions haven’t been this bad since the sixties. And, what do our “social justice leaders” do? Exploit it, and turn the sheep’s attentions to a sports team. Knowing full well the tide, polls, apathy, and fear will finally be in their favor. This isn’t about equality, or racial identifiable justice, it’s about a win. It’s political sports. It’s grotesque. It’s an omission of history. Something a democratic republic at the very least should not take lightly, and at most usually fight against.
To the defenders and the demanders for this omission of history in regards to this topic of The Redskins, or such demands as in the tearing down of Robert E. Lee statues, you aren’t warriors for equality, and justice. You are being led by the intellectually weak willed, and historically apathetic.
*A quick honorable mention of history that is also being lost in all this, and will most definitely be distorted in the future:
Doug Williams the quarterback for The 1987 Washington Redskins was the first ever black quarterback to win the Super Bowl. A prideful moment for racial equality and Black Americans. It always was, and thought to always will be. But, now that we have changed the optics of this franchise forever, this moment will go from a sports civil rights achievement to an asterisked* moment in time. Now when future generations see the image of Williams pridefully celebrating a Super Bowl victory adorning the name Redskins, we all know what the new narrative will be. It will most certainly be taught, and viewed as a problematic sight, that a black skinned man was forced to wear such a racist term on his body while celebrating for old rich white men owners. I can hear the future generation of white teacher’s ending their lectures even now as I write this:
“Our country could not even get such a significant historical achievement right, it had to be stained by institutionalized racism.”
-Overpaid self loathing white professors of humanities everywhere.
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