Local Columnist Calls for Name Changes to Washington Redskins, Negro Mountains
Washington Post writer calls the names "offensive."
Has the PC-ification of modern society gone too far, or not far enough?
In 2009, the Supreme Court decided to let stand a federal appeals court decision that Native Americans had "waited too long to bring their challenge to the Redskins trademark and thus forfeited any right to sue," as reported in The Christian Science Monitor.
Now, Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy has linked the football team's name to the Negro Mountains in western Maryland and Pennsylvania and is calling for Native American leaders to join forces with African-American leaders to take a stand against names "rooted in systemic efforts to dehumanize."
Milloy points to the controversy over the mountain range's name as early as 2011, and current efforts by Maryland state Sen. Lisa A. Gladden (D-Baltimore) and Pennsylvania state Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood (D-Philadelphia) to change the name.
The columnist details some other name changes that include the word "negro" and suggests the battle to change "Redskins" will be tougher. But he said he believes that "following the same principle of decency will no doubt lead to victory in that fight, too."
The full text of Milloy's column can be found on The Post's website.
Do you think the Washington Redskins and Negro Mountains names should be changed? Tell us in the comments.
Floyd D. Warren
10:17 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
What a bunch of BS! The Redskins name is not abusive to anyone and it is a mark of respect for the Indian Nations toughness, bravery, and ability to fight against huge odds. It is a shame how we have treated The American Indians. Spend your time helping get schools, jobs, and social welfare to the reservation and stop worrying about this BULL!
Leslie Hill
1:57 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
The Redskins name is offensive and nothi g in the name suggests bravery, toughness or tha ability to fight against huge odds. It is a racist name pure and simple. We have treated Native Americans poorly and this is but one of many examples of how we denigrate others in our society without even thi king about it. Improving the situation on the reservations is indeed necessary a d treating native Americans with respect is a good start.
Jim Gabel
5:43 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
I live in okla and work with several cherokee indians. Have talked to all of them on a one on one basis about there thoughts on the team using redsins as there name. To the man they said they didnt find it offensive and was prowd the team used the name. Jim gabel lifetime redskin fan
Robyn Winterson
12:22 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Get over it! The name has been use since 1934! It's not going to change! They tried. A new study shows that most native Americans like it and don't care A MAJORITY OF THEM!!!! So get off of it! If you don't like it the. Don't support it. Sometimes I think people protest for the hell of it. This is one of them. Does it really effect you this much??? Secondly on the negro mountains. Negro is a Spanish word for black. The color black not the racist slang. And lastly if you want them to change the mountain name the get African Americans to stop saying the word too. How is it racist when they say it all the time and use it in rap songs. Are they hating themselves. People need to grow up and worry about what's really important and stop trying to get into things just too. Move on. Turn off the tv. Live in your world if you don't like it. You don't have to support the redskins and you don't have to go see the mountains. I am a black with Native American linage who is a skins fan and can tell the difference between the Spanish word for black and the racist slang!!! Get on with your life and worry about how your going to live and put food on the table for your family.