The Washington Redskins and the Potential for a Better Identity

Last updated on: October 28, 2013 at 8:30 am by Ethan McCarthy

The Washington Redskins and the Potential for a Better Identity 2013-10-28T07:41:27-06:00 Ethan McCarthy

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It’s a little hard to believe that, in a culture so obsessed with political correctness and respect for all people, a team name like the Washington Redskins persists and can, in fact, be staunchly defended by large swathes of the populace. This month, amid rumors that a name change could be in the offing, Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder wrote an open letter to the team’s fans reaffirming his commitment to the name. “When I consider the Washington Redskins name,” he writes, “I think of what it stands for. I think of the Washington Redskins traditions and pride I want to share with my three children, just as my father shared with me… We are Redskins Nation, and we owe it to our fans and coaches and players, past and present, to preserve that heritage.”

The irony is, of course, that Snyder uses the proud heritage of his team (81 years and counting, he points out) to defend the demeaning of the much richer heritage of Native Americans. He does so knowing that most of the American public is on his side. An AP poll conducted in May of this year found 79% of respondents in support of the Redskins’ keeping their name. Only 11% thought the name ought to be changed.

It’s not that most Redskins fans really want to degrade Native Americans. I myself grew up in Georgia as an Atlanta Braves fan, and I’ve chopped and chanted with the best of them at Turner Field, blissfully unaware that I was doing anything offensive or tasteless. Instead, most fans of teams like the Redskins, the Braves, or the Cleveland Indians who defend such names are more concerned with the identity of something they care deeply about. We are a culture that identifies deeply with the sports teams we support. As Dan Snyder points out in his letter, we often associate our teams with childhood memories, with our families, and with admirable virtues like loyalty, courage, and community. To alter the iconography of those institutions would be like altering our own personal histories.

The trouble comes when we are asked to lay down a part of ourselves out of deference and respect for someone else. It’s certainly not easy, but that kind of humble self-sacrifice is in many ways the basis of a just and peaceful society. I imagine that whichever major sports franchise is the first to take that courageous step will reap many benefits that they can’t as yet foresee. They will, in fact, be rewriting their own identity as something even more meaningful, respectful, and courageous.

That’s a team I could get behind.

Previous Post

October 28, 2013

Why I Raised My Voice (and Encouraged Other Asian Americans to Do the Same)

Next Post

October 29, 2013 God and Country Music: Stories and Reformation in Outlaw Country

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz