Part 1: Summary of Article
This article focuses on Washington based Red Skins team. This team under the captainship of Dan Snyder has come under sharp criticism over its name. Many are of the view that the name ‘Red Skins’ is offensive to the Native American community. In spite of these criticisms, Snyder and the team administrators have vehemently sworn to retain the name. The justification that the team has used in fighting to keep the name is the fact that the name brings out a rich tradition for the team. The team has used the name for a long period of team. It would hence change the brand name of the team of the name was changed. One of the things that is worth noting is that a team is an business enterprise. This means that a change in the name would affect the marketability of the team based on the fact that the team has used the name ‘Red Skins’ as a brand name. On the other hand, people that are sensitive of insults to minority groups in the United States have maintained that the name should be changed. This is because it is important to respect the heritage and richness of any culture. Therefore using team names that might be offensive to a give indigenous community is not a justified entrepreneurial move to undertake.
Part II: Indigenous Group Discussed
The indigenous group that is discussed in this article is the Native Americans. This ethnicity has had a difficult past that has been characterized by massacre, displacement from native land, and segregation. With an effort to build national cohesion in the United States, it is tantamount that each ethnicity within the United States be treated equally and with respect. This can only be achieved by making sure that offensive language that might alter national cohesion is avoided. The mascot of the redskins uses a facial representation of the Native American community. The representation in this mascot has been viewed as being stereotypical of Native Americans. For example, the Native American that is represented using feathers illustrates that Native Americans are still in connection with traditional beliefs and culture and far from what has been treated as civilization and modernity. However, this is not the case. The Native American communities are a progressive people that have contributed both to the history of the United States and actively participated in the socio-economic welfare of the state. Therefore, the bone of contention about the ‘Red Skins’ is its portrayal of the Native American community. Its portrayal of the Native American tribe has been viewed as being disrespectful of the Native American peoples.
Part III: Personal Reflection
One of the key things that are worth noting is that people are more important than any business enterprise. The welfare of the people should take precedence over the economic needs of a single individual. The concerns of the Native American tribe, regarding their portrayal by the Red Skins team, should be treated with uttermost seriousness. There is a need for indigenous communities to be treated equally as the large ethnicities with the United States. The name Red Skins is insulting to a large group of people with the Native American Community. As a way of enhancing national cohesion and respect, I believe that Dan Snyder should be more welcoming to the idea of changing the team’s name. This would be a noble move to make and might make his name more respected and loved more than it is today. Therefore, it is important that the Red Skins to consider changing the name of the team.
Works Cited
ICTMN Staff . "Snyder: We Will NEVER Drop Redskins Name - ICTMN.com." Native & American Indian News, Culture, Music, Art and More - Indian Country Today Media Network.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/05/15/snyder-we-will-never-drop-redskins-name-149367>.
