Response to Change Washington NFL Team Name

Native News Network Staff in Native Challenges. Discussion »

MCLEAN, VIRGINIA – Unity Journalists issued the following statement in support of two newspapers that will no longer use "racist" football team name:

This year marks the 80th birthday of a National Football League team that became "The Washington Redskins" in 1937. Most Americans likely are not aware that "redskins" is the equivalent of the "n-word" for African Americans.

Last week, the Washington City Paper gave notice that it would no longer use Washington Redskins, replacing it with the Washington Pigskins. This is good news and we applaud the Washington City Paper for refusing to use a racist name and perpetuate ugly stereotypes through its coverage of this team. But true victory only will come once this team stops calling itself Washington Redskins.

“We appreciate the support from UNITY to address the Native Mascot issue, especially since Halloween is coming up and many people dress up as Natives thinking it is OK,”

said Rhonda LeValdo, president of the Native American Journalists Association.

“We are a culture, not a custom. I think it affects not only native culture but others as well.”

Editors Note: It has remained the policy of the Native News Network since our inception, not to publish the "racist" team names that perpetuate ugly stereotypes.

posted October 26, 2012 7:40 am edt