Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington, D.C., NFL football team, has announced that he will “NEVER” change the team’s name from “Redskins,” despite widespread objections to the name on the grounds that it is an ethnic slur. The term “redskin” stereotypes Native Americans based on skin color. Imagine the objections if Latinos were referred to as “brownskins” or Caucasians as “paleskins”!

Snyder’s defenders say the name dates back to an era when the term “redskin” was common in western movies and TV shows. They argue it is not meant to stigmatize or offend Native Americans any more than the names Cleveland Indians or Atlanta Braves or Kansas City Chiefs. Those teams have not changed their names, but they have modified their logos in response to complaints, removing pictures that implicitly stereotype Native Americans and substituting symbols like arrowheads and feathers. Well-known sportscaster Bob Costas points out that terms like Braves, Chiefs, and Warriors honor Native Americans, whereas “redskins” can only be considered a stigmatizing slur.

But why is “redskin” a particularly offensive ethnic term? According to many opponents, it was introduced in the 1800s as a derogatory name for Native Americans and thus still carries those negative connotations. Ray Halbritter, of the Oneida Indian Nation, explained why the term is offensive: “Its origin is hated... [It] was used against our people when we were forced off our lands at gunpoint.” On the other hand, not all Native Americans object to the term. Robert Green, former Chief of the Fredericksburg- area Patawomeck Tribe, said:

“You can’t rewrite history – yes there were some awful bad things done to our people over time, but naming the Washington football team the Redskins, we don’t consider to be one of those bad things.”

There are many terms that might or might not be perceived as slurs, depending on the situation. For instance, some people in Latin America call U.S. citizens “yanquis” with derogatory intent, but most Americans don’t mind being referred to as Yankees. When white people use “the N-word,” it is a serious, perhaps unforgivable ethnic slur, but some black people use the word with each other with no negative connotations. Ethnic slurs are still common, and many other terms can be offensive or friendly depending on how they are used. Some people think the term “redskin” could be reclaimed as a badge of pride, as has happened for the term “gay.” Terms like “gay” and “queer” have been used as insults. However, the LGBTQ community reclaimed the words by promoting gay pride and queer theory.

What do you think? Should the NFL require the Washington Redskins to change their name? Do you think it’s possible to get rid of the prejudice and conflicts that make words such as “redskin” offensive? Or is it better to focus on eliminating terms that stereotype or offend particular groups from all speech?