Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Cosmocat

(14,543 posts)
Sun Jun 29, 2014, 03:12 PM Jun 2014

Redskins "controversy" - why this country won't move forward

with all of the NEVER ENDING stream of really bad things republican's do, the naming rights to the Redskins highlights the simple mindedness of this country.

With so many larger, and greater economic, foreign policy, regulatory issues that republican's are insanely wrong about, most of the "middle" of this country will rally about the "PC" talking point in relation to the Redskins controversy.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Redskins "controversy" - why this country won't move forward (Original Post) Cosmocat Jun 2014 OP
Because about 40% of this country wants to move backward CanonRay Jun 2014 #1
remaining inert WyattGumball Jun 2014 #2
Changing their name would affect your enjoyment of the game? arcane1 Jun 2014 #3
sarcasm WyattGumball Jun 2014 #4
Oh, I see. Since we can't instantly fix everything, mac56 Jun 2014 #5
Huh? Cosmocat Jun 2014 #8
Here is a good Link to the linguistic evolution of the word and a good cartoon mikekohr Jun 2014 #6
"Indian" is also considered by many to be offensive... FBaggins Jun 2014 #7
"Indian" is slightly more nebulous. Chan790 Jun 2014 #9
Slightly... yes FBaggins Jul 2014 #10
I have friends on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation mikekohr Jul 2014 #11
This message was self-deleted by its author FBaggins Jul 2014 #12

CanonRay

(14,036 posts)
1. Because about 40% of this country wants to move backward
Sun Jun 29, 2014, 04:18 PM
Jun 2014

It's like swimming with an anchor around you leg.

WyattGumball

(2 posts)
2. remaining inert
Sun Jun 29, 2014, 09:18 PM
Jun 2014

Why concentrate on the great things that can save the poor, innocent, and hungry when I can't enjoy my sports the way my grandfather did?

 

arcane1

(38,613 posts)
3. Changing their name would affect your enjoyment of the game?
Sun Jun 29, 2014, 09:39 PM
Jun 2014

What about the teams that relocate? Someone's grandfather enjoyed watching the Houston Oilers too.

It's a rather silly excuse to maintain a racist team name.

WyattGumball

(2 posts)
4. sarcasm
Sun Jun 29, 2014, 11:24 PM
Jun 2014

I was being sarcastic. It is a racist name for a sports team that should be changed, but I think other and much larger issues should be taken care of first.

mac56

(17,561 posts)
5. Oh, I see. Since we can't instantly fix everything,
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 08:07 AM
Jun 2014

we shouldn't try to fix anything.

Is that it, basically?

mikekohr

(2,312 posts)
6. Here is a good Link to the linguistic evolution of the word and a good cartoon
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 08:12 AM
Jun 2014

When Slang Becomes a Slur
The linguist who testified against the Redskins in their trademark proceedings explains why the team's name can't be separated from historical hatreds.

?

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/06/a-linguist-on-why-redskin-is-racist-patent-overturned/373198/

FBaggins

(26,693 posts)
7. "Indian" is also considered by many to be offensive...
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 02:42 PM
Jun 2014

... yet the author used it dozens of times in that piece.

Perhaps it matters who pays him to testify?

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
9. "Indian" is slightly more nebulous.
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 11:34 PM
Jun 2014

A lot of Native Americans self-identify as "Indian" or use the term "Indian" to refer to Native-Americans and Native-American culture. It's offensive to some and an identity to others.

I watched a documentary the other morning about Marcus Red Thunder, the Cheyenne/Native-American culture advisor for Longmire, which includes several interviews with Cheyenne...some of whom use the word "Indian" to talk about their people and their rituals/culture. (I found the documentary on YouTube and embedded it below. It's only 6 minutes long.)

No Native-American ever refers to themselves as a "redskin" however.

FBaggins

(26,693 posts)
10. Slightly... yes
Tue Jul 1, 2014, 09:18 AM
Jul 2014

But Indian continues to be used in a broad variety of situations... but these days, "redskin" is used almost exclusively to refer to a few sports teams.

I can't remember the last time that it was used to refer to native americans - even by people who are bigoted against them.

mikekohr

(2,312 posts)
11. I have friends on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Thu Jul 3, 2014, 09:24 AM
Jul 2014

Two words you will want to avoid are Redskins and Squaw. Both are listed in modern dictionaries as offensive and an insult.
I'm sure you can find some Native American that finds no offense with either. I know some Italians that take no offense with Dago or Wop. But I know others that will beat you within a half inch of your life if you call them or their families either of these names.
Most older Natives refer to themselves as Indian, usually pronounced as "Indin," but the most respectful and correct way to refer to a Native American is to identify them by their tribal name and clan/band.
When I refer to my late friend Calvin Jumping Bull, I use the word Lakota (meaning allies, or friends). That takes some understanding, some education, both which confer respect.
Terms like Redskin confer ignorance, a lack of understanding, a lack of respect.

http://www.brotherhooddays.com

Calvin Jumping Bull lecturing at the 12th International Brotherhood Days gathering, July of 2000. Calvin was the eyapaha (announcer) at Brotherhood Days from its inception.
Calvin passed over on July 1st, of 2005. He had been looking forward to attending the last gathering of Brotherhood Days in Danville, Illinois.

When I remember Calvin I will always think of his humor, wit, dignity, and decorum. Calvin was a well-spring of knowledge and his kind and generous nature touched many people. I will miss him.

Born November 9th, 1929, in Oglala, the great-grandson of Tatanka Iyotaka, (Sitting Bull), Calvin graduated from Wesleyan University with a Bachelors degree in Arts and Art Education. He received his Masters of Arts degree from Black Hills State University. Calvin served as principle at Red Cloud Indian School for eight years before joining the founding staff at Oglala Lakota College.

Calvin was a driving force in creating the first tribally contracted school, Loneman School in Oglala, on the Pine Ridge Reservation and was a firm believer of Indian control over reservation schools. He drew great satisfaction in the growing number of tribal members who serve as educators and staff in the reservation's school system.

Calvin was fond of saying, "As long as I can stand and talk, I can teach."

Calvin was recognized with the South Dakota Indian "Living Treasure" award in 2001 for his life-long efforts in keeping Lakota language, culture, and song alive. Calvin performed at Cheyenne Frontier Days for 41 years and was inducted into the CFD Hall of Fame in 2004. Calvin, a recognized singer in his own right, was a member of the renowned traditional Lakota drum group, "The Porcupine Singers," featured in "Dances With Wolves," and "Thunderheart." Calvin, along with Nellie Two Bulls, are featured in Ronnie Theisz's book and CD, "Sharing the Gift of Lakota Song."

Pat Pumpkinseed, a long time employee of Red Cloud School said of Calvin, "He was just about the coolest Lakota man who ever lived." http://www.lakotatimes.net/Sports.htm

Thomas Shortbull, Oglala Lakota College President, described Calvin as, "....one of the great heroes of the Lakota People." To honor the example of his life the OLC, in co-operation with the South Dakota Community Foundation has established the Calvin Jumping Bull Scholarship fund. Those interested may donate to this fund through the office of Thomas Shortbull, OLC President, P.O. Box 490, Kyle, SD 57752 For further information call Thomas Shortbull at 605-455-6020 or Marilyn Pourier, OLC Development Director, at 605-455-6045.
http://www.olc.edu/calvin

Response to mikekohr (Reply #11)

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»Redskins "controvers...