A Native American group threatened a national boycott of the Washington Commanders unless the NFL changes its name back to the Washington Redskins. Here’s the full story.
The Demand to Change the Name Back
The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) wrote in a tweet that they sent a letter to the leaders of the Washington ‘Commanders’ football team formally requesting the team “revitalize its relationship with the American Indian community and rightfully change their name back to ‘The Redskins.’”
No More ‘Redskins’
In 2020, the football team announced it was removing ‘Redskins’ from its name, and two years later announced the national professional football team would be called the ‘Washington Commanders.’
Pressure From Cancel
The name change came about from pressure from the cancel culture mob following the death of George Floyd and those who claimed that the term was racist and offensive to Native Americans.
The name change stemmed from pressure from the cancel culture mob following the death of George Floyd and those who claimed the term was racist and offensive to Native Americans.
Advocates for the Name Change: ‘Redskins’ Is Offensive
The team dropped their former name after 87 years. Advocates for the name change said the Washington ‘Redskins’ was offensive to many Indigenous people who viewed the name and branding as both a slur and a disparaging stereotype grounded in America’s history of violence against Native people.
It’s Not Alright
Suzan Harjo, a 76-year-old who advocated the team’s name change, called the change “a huge step forward.” She said, “It’s not alright to use disparaging terms, derogatory names, slurs, images, and behaviors.”
Harjo refers to the word redskins as the “r-word” and says it is inseparable from harmful, racist attitudes that have translated into emotional and physical violence against Native Americans.
‘Redskin’ Didn’t Start Out as an Insult
The origin of the term has been debated by linguists and historians, and some say the word ‘redskin’ didn’t start out as an insult.
However, to many Native Americans, the word refers to the grotesque act of hunting down and skinning their ancestors’ scalps for cash bounties.
NFL Erasing the Role of Native Americans
NAGA addressed what they called “cancel culture” against the Native American population.
By changing the name of the football team, the NFL was erasing Native Americans’ “steadfast role in American history, including serving as counselors to the Founding Fathers in the creation of the US Constitution.”
The Name Is 87-Years-Old
In their letter, NAGA talked about the history of the Washington football team and its relationship with the Native American community dating back to its 1933 season when they were named the Boston Redskins.
Change the Name Back
NAGA said the team could revitalize its relationship with the American Indian community by doing two things. First, change the team’s name back to ‘The Redskins’ which recognizes the first inhabitants of America.
Encourage Others to Learn About Native American History
Second, NAGA wants the team to use their historic name and legacy to encourage Americans to learn about the history of America’s tribes – not cancel it. The group wants everyone to know the role the American Indian community played in the founding of the United States.
We Will Do Just That
Their letter threatened, “Should we need to encourage a national boycott similar to what happened with Anheuser Busch (Bud Light) which is now down $27 billion (note, not one brick thrown, not one highway blocked, not one bridge burned) – WE WILL DO JUST THAT.”
Bud Light Boycott
After a popular transgender influencer promoted a Bud Light contest on Instagram, calls for a boycott followed.
Because of the boycott, Bud Light’s sales dropped and two of its executives took a leave of absence. In a three month span, the world’s largest brewer’s revenue declined by 10.5%.
NAGA Stands Their Ground
The letter from NAGA to the football team ended by noting that in today’s society, this “oppression and arbitrary and capricious recognition of U.S. history and Constitutional rights is not acceptable.” The group vowed to stand their ground because “if you don’t acknowledge history, we are doomed to repeat it.”
Trans Activist Called on Crowd to Punch TERF Women in the Face During Hate Inciting Speech
The Trans Pride event held in London recently became the center of a heated debate after a transgender activist, Sarah Jane Baker, made a controversial speech inciting violence against those critical of Trans ideology. Trans Activist Called on Crowd to Punch TERF Women in the Face During Hate Inciting Speech
Power Play or Health Concern? President Biden Mysteriously Rises and Vanishes During Live TV Broadcast
President Joe Biden found himself at the center of attention after an unexpected moment during a live TV broadcast when he stood up and left the studio while cameras were still rolling. Here’s what happened. Power Play or Health Concern? President Biden Mysteriously Rises and Vanishes During Live TV Broadcast
Russia’s Former General Dies in Unexpected Plane Crash and Ukraine Gains Momentum on Regaining Control
After Russia continues its 16-month-long invasion of Ukraine, a surge of political upheaval has unfolded in Moscow, coinciding with Kyiv’s efforts to regain control of its territories. Russia’s Former General Dies in Unexpected Plane Crash and Ukraine Gains Momentum on Regaining Control
She Found Out Her Nosy Neighbor Was Tampering With Her Mail So She Left Her a Note That Left No Room for Misinterpretation
A nosy neighbor keeps tampering with packages and was caught on Ring doorbell, so the owner left her a note that went viral and is receiving mixed reactions from users. She Found Out Her Nosy Neighbor Was Tampering With Her Mail So She Left Her a Note That Left No Room for Misinterpretation
“It’s Legal Tender!” – Obnoxious Customer Gets EXACTLY What He Demanded From This Cunning Cashier
Confronted by an entitled customer, this quick-thinking cashier makes sure he has a change in attitude. She complies with his requests and without breaking a rule ensures their transaction is anything but convenient. “It’s Legal Tender!” – Obnoxious Customer Gets EXACTLY What He Demanded From This Cunning Cashier
The post “Cancel Culture”? Native American Group Threatens NFL Boycott Unless Washington Football Team Reverts to ‘Redskins’ first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / dean bertoncelj . The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.