Redskins?

REDSKINS

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." – William Shakespeare.

 

So if the Washington Redskins change their name, will they still stink?

Pressure has been building for this NFL franchise to change its nickname to something more politically correct.

The team has been called the Redskins for 80 years and it was never an issue until recently. While activists have been successful in many schools and colleges in getting sports programs to drop Native American/Indian nicknames, big league teams seemed immune to politically correct pressures, and Redskins, Braves, Indians, and Warriors still competed with their long-time nicknames.

The nicknames, ironically, were meant to HONOR Native Americans, not disparage them. Inevitably, some malcontents were “offended” by some of the caricatures portrayed and adjustments were made. For example, Chief Noc-a-homa, the Atlanta Brave mascot, retired for good. Teams tried to compromise.

And most Native Americans were not offended. A Sports Illustrated survey found that almost 80% of American Indians supported the nickname associations. Indeed, the sign outside a high school on a Navajo reservation proclaimed “Welcome to the Home of the Redskins.”

What’s really troubling is that this is yet another example of a small minority of activists defining the issue on THEIR terms, i.e. “Redskin” being insensitive or worse. So they try to impose their perspective on everyone else.

This nonsense has been going on for far too long. It’s tough to counter it, because the activists are so quick to play the “racist” card, and who needs that?

Shockingly, the federal government has now taken sides, led by President Obama, who presumably has more pressing issues to deal with.

Michael Galo reported in “Athletic Business” that the United States Patent and Trademark Office cancelled six federal trademark registrations for the name of the Washington Redskins, ruling that the name is "disparaging to Native Americans." Due to its "disparaging" nature, the name cannot be trademarked under federal law which prohibits protection of offensive or disparaging language. The decision allows anyone to use the "Redskins" name on merchandise or other memorabilia, without needing permission.

So a team that honors Native Americans with a nickname that most Native Americans support is losing trademark property rights. It’s outrageous.

When are we going to stand up to these activist bullies? Appeasing them simply encourages them to continue their moral preening as they target their next victims. School boards and timid college administrators usually acquiesce to the unhappy braying of the politically correct, but kudos to Washington Redskin owner Dan Snyder for standing firm.

Property rights, freedom of speech, and tolerance of different perspectives are hallmarks of a great America. Too many activists in Washington—and Concord—have been successful at eroding these rights. If we let them get away with it, then we only have ourselves to blame.

CUPCAKES AND BEER

Along the same lines as above …

For generations youngsters celebrated each other’s birthdays at school with cupcakes. But no more. Due to the First Lady’s crusade for “healthier” eating, some schools told students that birthday cupcakes are now forbidden, due to nutritional concerns.

Where will it end?

And …the Orange County Register recently reported the firing of Jay Creps, who led Chatsworth School's softball team to the L.A. City Section Division 1 championship game. Principal Tim Guy canned him after a parent turned in a photo of him drinking beer out of a bottle during a team bonding party at his home that was attended by parents and players in either 2012 or 2013. So now you can get fired for having a legal libation in your own home? Granted, Creps may have been better advised to have had a soda. But SODA POP is now forbidden in many schools. Too much sugar, the First Lady will tell you.

Where will it end?

ON A HAPPIER NOTE …

… the Orange County Register also reported that more than 500 baseballs and softballs, 60 bats, 20 batting tees, umpire gear and other items were donated to the local Banning-Pass Little League by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The gear represents a $5,500 gift from the tribe to the league, according to a news release from the tribe.

One of the teams in the Banning-Pass Little League is known as the Indians. Presumably they won’t need to change their name!