Blog Update!

 I just wanted to come out and say thank you to all the people that have been reading my blogs. The football season is a little over half way through, I will keep posting about the Redskins/Commanders for now. Once football is over I will be mostly focusing on the Nationals. We have a lot more DC sports content coming so if you liked hearing about the Redskins/Commanders just wait till baseball season!

The Name Commanders

  In 2020, the then Washington Redskins decided to change their name due to a lot of people beingoffended by the name because it was offensive to indigenous people. Over the past four years a lot of people wished to bring the name back. There was a petition in 2023 with over 140,000 people voting to go back to the Washington Redskins. The name controversy has surfaced again due to the team wanting to move back to the old RFK site where they used to play in the 80s. A Montana senator, Steve Daines has blocked the bill for the team to build on the site because he wants the team to honor the old Redskins logo.“Now, you may ask why a Montana Senator has a specific interest in this bill. Today is about righting a wrong. Specifically, my goal is for the Washington Commanders to honor the pride, history and heritage of the Blackfeet Tribe who are my constituents in Montana for the tribe’s contributions to the team’s legacy. He is representing the Wetzel family and Blackie Wetzel, the man who came up with the idea to change the R logo “with something that represented Indian Country.” He is asking not to change the name back to Redskins but honor the people with the logo which I see no issue.Because the name "Redskins" is a historical tradition, opponents of the name change frequently contend that supporters shouldn't be made to give it up. They assert that pride and loyalty are embodied in the name and logo. However, it ignores the lived realities of many Indigenous people for it is a reminder of past oppression rather than a badge of pride and loyalty.The two teams that changed their name and logo were the Redskins and the Cleveland Indians, there is still multiple teams that represent indigenous people. For example the Chicago Blackhawks use a logo that is very similar to the old Redskins logo that senator Daines wants represented and the Florida State Seminoles use a logo like that as well. So, if teams use a logo that is pretty much identical and represents indigenous people in a good way, there could be a possibility that the logo could come back but not the name.A research study that was done by the university of Michigan says, “For example, among Native Americans who frequently engage in tribal or cultural practices, 67 percent find the Redskins team name offensive”. By changing the name, the takes a moral stand against racism and promotes a more This decision is aligned with contemporary views of equality and respect for all. We are all aware of the importance of words and how they can affect how society views us. A name change is a modest but effective way to promote an environment of respect and recognition. If a tribe in Montana is disrespected because they feel like a logo that represented them was taken away, we should be open to hearing them and finding a way to represent them in way that won’t disrespect anyone.It is our duty as fans, members of the community, and social to support the change.We must encourage other sports teams to for a future where all individuals are respected, and are acknowledged. Also, by trying to find ways to not erase indigenous peoples heritage but by respecting it in a way that is not offensive.

Photo Courtesy: Daines.Senate.Gov