Persuasive Essay On Redskins

Duaneah Wheeler

College Writing I

Persuasive Essay

September 8, 2017

Is the Washington Redskins Team Name Offensive?

When one thinks of NFL football words like racist, offensive, and derogatory don’t usually come to mind. But in regards to the Washington Redskins team name those words are often used to describe it. When you Google the word “redskins” “American Indian” is the first word that displays. That is confirmation that this word is directly related to Native American people. So, allowing the continuation of this offensive team name means society has deemed it acceptable to directly correlate a mascot with a group of people still present and alive today. Unfortunately, the word “redskin” reminds Native American people of a terrifying

time period in their past in which Native Americans were hunted, killed, and scalped by European colonists (Martin, pars. 4-8). It also contributes to the massive cultural appropriation issue in society. Thus, the Washington Redskins team name is entirely offensive and should be changed.
The “redskins” mascot directly harms Native American people today by reminding them of ancient wounds that never fully healed.

European colonists offered compensation for the scalps of Native American men, women, and children: “50 pounds for adult male scalps; 25 for adult female scalps; and 20 for scalps of boys and girls under age 12” (Holmes, par.3). The “redskins” mascot glorifies this horrific time period in Native American history. Philip Martin states “[p]aying money for scalps of women and even children reflected the true intent of the campaign-to reduce native populations to extinction…so the native could not oppose European seizure of Indian lands” (par. 7). Hereafter, the genocide of Native American people is the direct result of the colonist operation of buying “redskins.” Therefore the name “redskin” is a constant reminder of the scalping of Native American ancestors. Fortunately Native American people survived the genocide but the societal approval of this mascot negatively acknowledges the historical trauma Native American people deal with

everyday.
Intergenerational historical trauma is a real issue in Indian Country. Many members of the Native American community are affected by history of colonialism and assimilation. According to Mary Pember there are three phases of intergenerational or historical trauma: “In the initial phase, the dominant culture perpetuates mass trauma on a population in the form of colonialism, slavery, war or genocide. In the second phase the affected population shows physical and psychological symptoms in response to the trauma. In the final phase, the initial population passes these responses to trauma to subsequent generations” (par.6).
Historical trauma in turn contributes to high rates of addiction, suicide, mental illness, and sexual violence in Indian Country (Pember, par.7). The historical trauma of an entire race of people is being passed down from generation to generation and society is acknowledging it by naming a mascot after them. Therefore this mascot can potentially contribute to the negative effects historical trauma enhances.
Another direct issue in relation to the “Redskins” team name is cultural appropriation. The main argument to keep the team name is grounded in tradition. According to Richard Riley, “Redskins” was used to honor Lone Star Dietz, a self proclaimed Native American and former coach, in which changing it would disrupt eight decades of tradition (pars. 4-6). The team owner believes they are honoring Native American people through their team name. But they are also encouraging cultural appropriation by allowing their players and fans to don traditional regalia, paint their faces, chant insulting songs, and display racist posters. It seems the team does not have a true understanding of tradition if they are allowing their fan base to appropriate Native American traditions and cultural practices on a daily basis. Therefore the traditions that Native American people are fighting to preserve are evidently appropriated through the Washington Redskins team and fans.
Therefore the offensive reminder of scalping, historical trauma, and cultural appropriation are reasons why the Washington Redskins team name is offensive.

It not only incorporates racism but also reminds a minority group about their history with genocide. Not changing the team name showcases the notion that Native American people are not relevant enough to respect. Why is an NFL football team name more important than the general wellbeing of an entire group of people in our society? The continuation of the team name “Redskins” sends a clear message to Native American communities. By allowing the existence of this team name our society is reiterating that minorities are not that important. They are not important enough to help find resolutions for the historical trauma they experienced and continue to experience but they are important enough to “honor” at football games. But in this case, honoring consists of making fun of historical traumas, appropriating culture, and chanting racist slogans. Thus, the Washington Redskins team name is

offensive.

Works Cited

“American colonists practice scalping.” This Day In History: Feb 20. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-colonists-practice-scalping. Accessed September 2017.

Holmes, Baxter. “A ‘Redskin’ Is the Scalped Head of a Native American, Sold, Like a Pelt, for Cash.” Esquire. June 17, 2014. http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a29445/true-redskins-meaning/.

Martelle, Scott. “Forge the poll: ‘Redskin’ offends, and the NFL should drop the name.” Los Angeles Times. May 25, 2016. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-ol-washington-redskins-racism-nfl-native-american-20160525-snap-story.html.

Martin, Philip. “Scalping: Fact & Fantasy.” Manataka American Indian Council: Book Reviews. http://www.manataka.org/page1438.html.

Pember, Annette Mary. “Trauma May Be Woven Into DNA of Native Americans” Indian Country Today. May 28, 2015. https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/news/native-news/trauma-may-be-woven-into-dna-of-native-americans/.

Riley, Richard. “What’s In A Name? Arguments For and Against a Redskins Name Change” Fansided. https://12thmanrising.com/2014/10/04/whats-name/. Accessed September 2017.