Several members of Congress have sent a letter to Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, telling him that when he promises never to change the name of his team, he’s promising to keep using a racial slur.

 

In the letter, Snyder is told that the word “Redskins” is deeply offensive to many American Indians, and that he has a moral obligation to change the name. The letter is signed by the co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) and Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota), as well as Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District of Columbia’s delegate in Congress.

 

“Native Americans throughout the country consider the R-word a racial, derogatory slur akin to the N-word among African Americans or the W-word among Latinos,” the letter states. “Such offensive epithets would no doubt draw widespread disapproval among the NFL’s fan base. Yet the national coverage of Washington’s NFL football team profits from a term that is equally disparaging to Native Americans.”

 

Members of Congress to Snyder: The R-word is like the N-word | ProFootballTalk

The R-word is like the N-word? Seriously!?!?!?

Seriously? Congress doesn't have anything more important to worry about than the name of a sports franchise?

Seriously? Congress doesn't have anything more important to worry about than the name of a sports franchise?

 

My guess is because Snyder dug in on this issue Congress is trying to bully him.

 

Hopefully Snyder will fire back.

 

:popcorn:

My guess is because Snyder dug in on this issue Congress is trying to bully him.

 

Hopefully Snyder will fire back.

 

:popcorn:

These days the P word is as bad as the N word. P being Politician.

The R-word is like the N-word? Seriously!?!?!?

 

Depends on which Native Americans you talk to. Some don't like it, would prefer the franchise drop it but won't lose sleep over it. Others, yes, they find it very offensive. I am not sure if "Braves" is as offensive.

Depends on which Native Americans you talk to. Some don't like it, would prefer the franchise drop it but won't lose sleep over it. Others, yes, they find it very offensive. I am not sure if "Braves" is as offensive.

 

I wonder if the term Redskins get "knocked out" meaning Snyder caves then Braves will be next and then Blackhawks and so on and so on...

This is some of the stuff that I just don't' understand. For one, I have many "Black" friends, and I say "Black" because, they get pissed when someone calls them "African Americans" because they say they are no more "African" than I am. Now, when I say something about a "Black" person sometimes people say I shouldn't say "black" and follow with the proper term is "African American". I can't win, either one seems to be wrong depending on who I am talking to.

 

Now, Redskin is supposed to be offensive, but the Native Americans used to call Whites "Pale Face". I don't find "Pale Face" offensive, why is "Red Skin" offensive.

 

We, I mean all races, often refer to other races by the color of their skin as a way of describing people. Why is it now offensive? I don't get offended when people call me "White".

I am 1/4 Cherokee and not offended by Redskin. Now call me a heathen or a squaw...or a heathen squaw.

This is some of the stuff that I just don't' understand. For one, I have many "Black" friends, and I say "Black" because, they get pissed when someone calls them "African Americans" because they say they are no more "African" than I am. Now, when I say something about a "Black" person sometimes people say I shouldn't say "black" and follow with the proper term is "African American". I can't win, either one seems to be wrong depending on who I am talking to.

 

Now, Redskin is supposed to be offensive, but the Native Americans used to call Whites "Pale Face". I don't find "Pale Face" offensive, why is "Red Skin" offensive.

 

We, I mean all races, often refer to other races by the color of their skin as a way of describing people. Why is it now offensive? I don't get offended when people call me "White".

 

I think HOW the term has been used historically rather than the term itself generally determines how offensive the term is. The term blacks and whites most often have been used in a primarily neutral (neither offensive or praising manner) way to simply point out race. Where as Redskins I am assuming was used most often in a manner to insinuate Native Americans as less than civilized or outright savages. On the other hand, Indians was generally intended to be neither offensive or praising, it just got a bad wrap since most Native Americans role their eyes at the term because Indians are from India, not the Western Hemisphere. The two Native Americans I have talked to when someone incorrectly refers to them as Indians, they joking say something like, "We're not Indians, we build casinos, not call centers". They two guys take terms like Redskin, Braves and Indians with a grain of salt so long as the person is using the terms is doing so in a non insulting way.

They two guys take terms like Redskin, Braves and Indians with a grain of salt so long as the person is using the terms is doing so in a non insulting way.

And, that I can agree with, so long as any term is not meant to insult, I am fine with it. And, I have to think the the name of the NFL franchise is not meant to be offensive. I've always thought it was a way of showing the American Heritage. I don't think they named the team and said, "Hey, lets make fun of the Native Americans". Just like the Cowboys are not meant to downplay real Cowboys, it's meant to speak of them in a positive light.

My guess is because Snyder dug in on this issue Congress is trying to bully him.

 

Hopefully Snyder will fire back.

 

:popcorn:

 

He should threaten to withhold campaign donations. I bet that'd get their attention.

This is some of the stuff that I just don't' understand. For one, I have many "Black" friends, and I say "Black" because, they get pissed when someone calls them "African Americans" because they say they are no more "African" than I am. Now, when I say something about a "Black" person sometimes people say I shouldn't say "black" and follow with the proper term is "African American". I can't win, either one seems to be wrong depending on who I am talking to.

 

Now, Redskin is supposed to be offensive, but the Native Americans used to call Whites "Pale Face". I don't find "Pale Face" offensive, why is "Red Skin" offensive.

 

We, I mean all races, often refer to other races by the color of their skin as a way of describing people. Why is it now offensive? I don't get offended when people call me "White".

 

We had one of them come in our office today. She was more lily-white than me, but her guttural English accent told me she can definitely claim that heritage. I suppose it might be more correct to call her an "Afrikaan-American," however.

This is some of the stuff that I just don't' understand. For one, I have many "Black" friends, and I say "Black" because, they get pissed when someone calls them "African Americans" because they say they are no more "African" than I am. Now, when I say something about a "Black" person sometimes people say I shouldn't say "black" and follow with the proper term is "African American". I can't win, either one seems to be wrong depending on who I am talking to.

 

Now, Redskin is supposed to be offensive, but the Native Americans used to call Whites "Pale Face". I don't find "Pale Face" offensive, why is "Red Skin" offensive.

 

We, I mean all races, often refer to other races by the color of their skin as a way of describing people. Why is it now offensive? I don't get offended when people call me "White".

 

I despise being called African American. I was born in Houston and raised in Kentucky. Call me black.

I despise being called African American. I was born in Houston and raised in Kentucky. Call me black.

That's what all my black friends say. But, man I have been raked over the coals by some people for saying that, and got some death stares, mostly by white people.