Apparently descendants/relatives of the guy the old Washington NFL team’s logo and name were inspired by want the name and logo back…and are saying that the Native Americans that fought to have the old name/logo removed never asked them for their opinion, or what they thought when pushing to change it.
They’re now taking action to get the old stuff reinstated.
Any thoughts?
See here.
The image was inspired by a real life Blackfoot Chief.
Why is this even provocative? The original name change was the scandal.
Because until now, there seemed to be a consensus that the nickname was a racial slur, and the image an offensive “redface” racial caricature.
That’s similar to how the “Chief Illiniwek” mascot for the University of Illinois was ended back in 2007.
The only thing is, now the descendants/relatives of the guy whose real-life face the Washington NFL team’s image/logo was based on are crying foul, and asking that it be brought back.
Incidentally, in Illinois’ case, people have proposed a Kingfisher bird with similar colors as a new mascot…and more recently…a MAMMOTH. See here:
I can get down with a Mammoth for sure!
Sounds more like they’re mad the royalty checks stopped
It was a fabricated controversy to see just how far the Wokies could run with this ball. Bring back the Redskins and, while we’re at it, the Indians. I also miss Chief Noc-A-Homa. Who drove him off the reservation?
Glad the Braves still do the chop. Illinois changing their logo was offensive.
Incidentally, here is the real life guy that inspired the logo.
A Blackfoot tribal chairman named Walter “Blackie” Wetzel proposed the name and logo to the team in 1971.
How did a racist like Wetzel get away with using the term “Blackie?”
Perhaps because he was a member of the BLACKfoot tribe?
Just sayin’! Probably wasn’t a race thing.
I’ve always thought I have no right to tell someone that’s part of a people group I’m not whether or not to be offended by something.
It seems the redskins name has some of those individuals on both sides of this one but not sure that’s all that unusual.
Consensus of whom? A certain media made you believe it. This where D.C. vs the real world are opposite of each other.
I used to call on many Native Nations in California, Arizona and New Mexico. The subject came up a few times.
Every single time Natives were 100% for the Redskins name. They actually felt betrayed when the name was changed. It was quite an interesting topic. Native Nations are not usually friendly toward another Native Nation. The Navajo/Dine Nation and Apache nation are close and friendly to each other but that is not always the case with others. The Dine Nation hates the Hopi Nation and rightfully so.
I’ve never understood. I still call them the Redskins, the Indians and in the NBA, the Bullets. That was beyond stupid. Bring back the Edmonton Eskimos while we’re at it.
At first I thought it was highly offensive until…the name change came up (I did not bring it up) with Native Nations members. That completely changed my perspective.
AI Summary…
Major Tribal Resolutions & Opposition
That’s a pretty strong consensus.
That said, those feelings are apparently not universal, and there does appear to be a legitimate “other side” to this.
Perhaps a compromise position would be to eliminate the “Redskins” name, change it to the “Warriors,” and then rename the stadium after the Blackfoot Chief that inspired the logo.
Rather than using that logo, they could have a more realistic statue of him at the stadium.
The new logo might be a stylized tomahawk.
Any thoughts?
Remember, at one time, the NCAA tried to crack down on Central Michigan for using the “Chippewas” mascot, claiming it was offensive, never mind that the university is literally located right next door to the Chippewa reservation and holds a big pow wow on campus annually. In conjunction with the Tribe, for credit classes in the Ojibwa (Chippewa) language are offered at the school, together with Native American studies courses.
Chippewa tribal leaders went before the NCAA and stated that the school used that name with the Tribe’s full endorsement and permission, and said that they were PROUD to have their name used by the school in such a way.
The NCAA, of course, backed down.
Again, sometimes there are legitimately two sides to the story.
If the University of Illinois goes ahead with a mascot change to Mammoth, may I suggest that they name him Joe Woolly Mammoth.
Pretty sure the same thing happened for FSU Seminoles…
Unanimous Tribal Resolution: On June 17, 2005, the Tribal Council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida unanimously passed a resolution officially endorsing FSU’s use of the “Seminole” name and associated symbols, such as Chief Osceola and Renegade. [1, 2, 3]
However, other Seminole entities see it very differently.
Distinction from Other Tribes: While the Seminole Tribe of Florida actively supports the university, opinions differ among other groups; notably, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma has historically opposed the use of tribal names and imagery in sports. [1, 2]
Here is the Central Michigan agreement with the neighboring Chippewa Tribe.
Now then, it is worth mentioning that while the name “Chippewas” is fully supported, the school agrees to not use Native American caricatures, clothing, imagery, tomahawk chops, or the word “Indian” in association with the school or its students.
The logo is a flying letter “C” for Central, and you don’t have people dressed up in costume or makeup on the sidelines.
It’s different from the Florida Seminoles schtick in that regard.
Oklahoma Seminoles were probably just mad they weren’t getting the royalties like the Florida Seminoles are…
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