A group of House Democrats on Wednesday introduced a bill that would prevent the term "Redskins" from being trademarked, a move intended to put pressure on the Washington football club to change its name.
The Non-Disparagement of American Indians in Trademark Registrations Act of 2013 is co-sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and comes days after a federal trademark panel heard arguments over whether the team name was a slur. The panel could potentially overturn the team's trademark, which would erode profits by allowing other businesses to sell apparel and goods featuring the Redskins name.
Earlier this month, Norton said the team "should consider" a new name.
Nobody would let a comparable name to blacks stand," Norton said, adding that she thinks the team will eventually be forced to make a change.
“I certainly do. But nothing happens without pushing and shoving ... I am a fan of the Redskins. I’m just not a fan of their name," Norton said.
Now, this is a fine debate to have, and I've heard versions of it locally over North Side Hish School's team name. I come down somewhere in the middle. I think there's nothing at all wrong with general names, such as Cleveland Indians or Atlanta Braves. Those should be no more objectionable than the Fighting Irsh or Boston Celtics. But "Redskins" is a little rough, the near equivalent of slurs we all know that are applied to certain groups. I don't think anything derogatory intended by the name, but you'd have to be pathologically insensitive not to understand how it might upset some people.
But regardlesss of where you come down on it, why would you want Congress messing around with it? They don't have more important things to do? They shouldn't leave this to the local jurisdictions involved? "The Non-Disparagement of American Indians in Trademark Registrations Act of 2013." There's the biggest mouthful of condescending, overreaching poop I've heard in a while.
Comments
If we're not supposed to use the term "redskins", what ae we supposed to call that type of peanut?
We cannot stop with just " Redskins". If we're going to be PC, we must go all in.
Cowboys- clearly a gender identifier. Must be changed to "Cowpersons"
Patriots- connotative of right wing ,gun loving ,bible thumpers. Change to "New England Founders Who Owned Slaves."
Raiders- Are you kidding ? Promotes violence. How about Oakland Peace Circle?
Titans- Sounds pagan to me. Change to Tennessee Hill Persons
Chiefs- Clearly sexist and anti native American. Change to Kansas City Equal Native Americans
Giants- An affront to midgets (oops) little people. New York Abnormally Large People
Saints- Cant have a Christian reference. This is America. New Orleans Brave Hurrican Survivors
49ers- Sound lke greedy 1% capitalists. San Francisco Gay Boys from here on out
Vikings- No. Long history of violence. Minnesota Hubert Hmphries sounds good.
Buccaneers- Criminal and violent. How about "Occupy Tampa Bay"?
WE can't have Purdue Boilermakers either. Boilermaker, an alcoholic drink, promotes drunkeness. How about the Purdue Keady Bad Hair Comb Overs?