Sports Team Names with Native American References

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There is considerable controversy that dates back to the 1960’s over sports teams’ names that reference Native American heritage. “The National Congress of American Indiana’s (NCIA) created a campaign in 1968 to eliminate stereotypes found in print and other media.” (ChangeTheMascot.org). The American Indian community has worked for many years to abolish the right to use Native American Names, spiritual and cultural symbols by professional sports teams (Teters) that they feel offensive. The Washington Redskins football team continues to battle a long standing controversy to change their name. Native Americans, politicians, fans of American football, as well as the general public all seem to have opposing viewpoints regarding if this team should be forced to change their name out of respect to those offended. Research indicates The Redskins name should not be changed as many Native Americans perceive it as a tribute of respect and honor to their people. Changing their name would be both costly and unwarranted to the research that proves that most Native Americans are not offended by the name, but rather feel it is an honor to their people. In a paper published by Ives Goddard of the Smithsonian Institution, Goddard details that the term Redskins was a term that was first used by Native Americans to distinguish themselves from the “white” others encroaching on their lands and culture”, not a racial slur derived from the theory “origins… of presenting bloody red skins and scalps as proof of Indian kill for bounty payments” (Goddard). According to research by J. Gordon Hylton, he found that team owners frequently began using words with indigenous connections in the 1850s. "Native American names appear to have been chosen to em... ... middle of paper ... ...14 “The Confederate Flag: Controversy and Culture.” David Sarratt American Studies University of Virginia. Web. 22 Feb. 2014 “History of Progress.” ChangeTheMascot.org. Web. 20 Feb. 2014 Karol, Gabrielle. 4 to Watch: What Would it Cost to Change the Redskin’s Name?” Fox Business. Fox Business, 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 1 Feb.2014. Nuckols, Ben. “AP-GfK poll: 4 in 5 Americans say don’t change Redskins nickname, 11 percent say change it”. Associated Press, 2 May 2013. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. Ritz, Erica . “Do You Know the History Behind The name 'Washington Redskins'?” The Blaze, 11 Oct. 2013. Web. 1 Feb.2014. Teters, Charlene. “American Indians are People, not Mascots.” American Indian Movement . Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

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