Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The Rude Pundit on the Re-naming of the Washington Redskins

Lee Papa, The Rude Pundit
As with everything else in this country, the controversy over the Washington Redskins name seems to have become a right versus left issue. And though I'd usually side with the left anyway, I can safely say that in this case, I'm unequivocally, absolutely, indubitably, unapologetically correct. There is no other justifiable answer but that the Redskins should change their name. Period.

I could go on at length as to why--though really, it shouldn't be necessary--but I don't need to. Because, The Rude Pundit, one of my favorite writers, has written a piece so brilliant (and of course, rude), that it simply can't be improved upon. If you doubt me, read it, and leave me a comment that refutes it. Dare ya.

I'm guessing die-hard Redskins supporters would
think this old GE ad is okay too? Image from source.
[Excerpt]
 
Regarding Racism and Redskins

. . .Casual, quotidian racism was everywhere; it was a part of the American cultural landscape as much as it was part of the American sociopolitical landscape. Advertising was filled with unsubtle racist caricatures. Tom and Jerry cartoons, into the 1950s, featured a Mammy who was constantly reacting to Tom's behavior. Aunt Jemima? Uncle Ben? Rastus, the Cream of Wheat chef? This shit was America, inescapable, insidious, and ubiquitous. . .

Read more at: The Rude Pundit

2 comments:

  1. Let's see. Fighting Irish. Is that a bad name? How about the Vandals? My high school was named the Coons until they changed it to Cooney.
    Then what about animal names. That surely pisses off PETA.
    It's not a cut and dry issue as many Indian support the Redskins and others do not.

    ReplyDelete
  2. At best "Redskins" is a poke at their color, at worst an allusion to the scalping and skinning of Native Americans by settlers. It is more like calling a team the "Darkies" or the "Spicks." I don't understand why the team owner would keep a name that is considered offensive. Especially when he has the potential to rake in a fortune on new merchandise. He could make it easy and call them the "Redwinds" or something close that is NOT offensive, or he could have a contest to name the team. Why in the world would he keep this PR disaster?

    ReplyDelete

Have something to say to us? Post it here!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...