The U.S. Patent Office dropped the Washington Redskins name off from being a registered trademark. But Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has still refused to change the team’s name, citing a long tradition in the District. The team still uses the name, but lost legal trademark protection. Meaning anyone can use the name and logo for their own use. The issue is the most significant political statement towards public disdain of a sports team nickname in U.S. History.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the first time a D.C. pro sports team changed a name as a result of an open debate over a name. The late Abe Pollin, the NBA team owner in the late nineties decided to change the name of the Washington Bullets to the Washington Wizards, due to the consistent high violent crime rate of the city at the time, and because his friend, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, died by a bullet, literally. Maybe a very easy change to pull off due to no real emotional connection to “bullets,” but to be frank, the logo and name suck.
The name of the Redskins is technically a warrior, or “person” to personify. It has become a hard obstacle for changing the name of the Washington Pro Football Team. Plus, many people here do not fair well with the name change of the franchise.
Residents, and beyond, are on both sides of the fence; some argue that the name should be changed, others argue to keep it’s name. Others have no idea what’s going on, and many don’t even see a problem with the current name “Redskins”.
I see a problem with the name—both the Skins and Wizards—but can see a problem with the argument against. Due to the competitive, physical nature of American football, teams are named after past warriors: Vikings and Nordic types, “Fighting Irish” and other Irish types, patriots and other colonial/pioneer fighters, cowboys and western gunslingers, rangers, marauders and other raiding peoples, pirates and other swashbuckling open sea types, any variant of Soldier, troop or warfighter from world history to present day. No wonder we figure that we are justified to use some form of a warrior of the indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere. Technically, many team names are based on stereotypes.
If there isn’t a team name change, perhaps the franchise can find out what Native peoples were in the D.C. area and then go with that. Or find out what tribe is reflected on the current logo and adopt that. Much like any fighting Irish mascot, no one has a problem with the actual tribe or affiliation being called out. There’s minimal issue with the fact that Florida State uses the Seminoles as their team name and College mascot. The fact that the Seminole tribe existed in Florida helps.
Another idea is to honor Black fighters. An idea has been expressed that it would be preferable to change the team to the Washington Redtails, based on the Tuskegee Airmen who fought in World War II, a solid idea.
While looking at the name game, what about the Wizards? In light of the horrid Charlestown, SC shooting, and the debate over the Confederate stars and bars, and hate groups that support its use, the NBA franchise name Wizards conjures in my mind white hoods and burning crosses. Maybe it’s just me?
DC’s professional football and basketball teams should consider new names, in my opinion.
What are your thoughts?
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