Yes, you've hit on the root of the problem. It's that the targets of racist and offensive language get offended by it. Why shouldn't national football franchises be allowed to use offensive and racist language. How dare anyone get upset at being the targets of racism. You're really onto something.
How many people or what percentage of a group does something have to offend before it matters? Ten percent? A third? What if it's a statistically insignificant number?
I'm not sure of the exact number. I'm also of the opinion that you can't always avoid offending people and shouldn't even always try to avoid offending people. I don't have a problem offending people when the time is right. But using a racist term as the name of an NFL team doesn't really seem like a great place to make a stand about it being okay to offend people. We do know that Redskin is a racist slang word, and no harm would come at all from changing the name of the team. The idea that some folks would be upset at people (whatever the percentage) getting offended by racism is pretty laughable. After all what harm have white racists ever done to the Native American tribes?
it doesn't matter at all. what ever happens, nobody's life will be better or worse from this. The idea that some people would waste their time protesting this crap is incredible. but to answer your question. 71% of americans think they should not change their name
Again we have a poster who is angered by people protesting racist slurs used as the name of an NFL team, but doesn't appear at all angry the use of the racist slurs. Very strange priorities here.
Well 60 years I am sure a majority of people probably felt using the n-word was no big deal. Instead of looking at a number look at the trend. It has gone down from 89% to 71%. Seriously its a name how hard would it be for them to change it. Most Native American's probably don't care I mean its a pretty trivial issue that doesn't directly effect their lives. Most Americans don't care because it doesn't effect their lives. Redskin has always been offensive.
I can understand people arguing to get rid of the team name who aren't fans but I don't understand people who don't give a crap about the team (many posters in this thread) who are adamantly arguing to keep the name (and buying shirts lol) Why do you care so much that the name is kept? What is your horse in the race?
worrying about what others say and think of you is a waste of time and energy changing the name isn't going to improve the lot of a single Native American
Interesting you feel qualified to speak for Native Americans as to what we should worry or not worry about. btw, note conservative writer Charles Krauthaummer favors the name change as a show of simple, elementary respect. He points to the importance of considering the history of the term. He also refers back to how he used to think the term "gyp" simply meant to "cheat" and quit using the term when he learned it was really a shortened form of the word Gypsy and thus offensive. You could also see a similar offensiveness to the term "jew someone down". With all of the possible team names and icons that could be used to identify and support a sports team, you would think it would be possible to avoid terms like this. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/16/charles-krauthammer-favors-redskins-name-change-it-has-to-do-with-simple-elementary-respect/
Jesus, it's a ****ing name- they changed the Washington Bullets which is way, way less offensive. It's racist and has no place in the 21st century. **** tradition- we don't have the Oilers anymore- do we sit around and not root for the Texans because of it? **** no. Just change the ****ing name- and you apologists are a sorry group.
who apologized for what? btw he didn't even comment on whether they should change the name. He said Native Americans should care little about this. Not sure what you are worked up about. Again, this issue makes nobody's life better or worse at all.
Treaty rights and tribal sovereignty have nothing to do with race. They are treaties that the US government signed with tribes to get them to agree to lay down arms and move to reservations.
