Even though I’m a lifelong Redskins fan, I’m not opposed to this idea:
A D.C. Council member is preparing to introduce a resolution calling on the Washington Redskins to change its name, perhaps to the Washington Redtails.
Council member David Grosso, an independent elected last year, said he plans to pursue his non-binding resolution because the current name is “a derogatory, racist name.”
“It’s been a long time that we’ve had this name associated with Washington, and I think its time we take a stand and change it,” Grosso said.
Grosso is circulating his resolution to other council members to try to get co-sponsors. So far, he said, council members Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) have agreed to sign on to it.
I get the argument that “Redskins” no longer implies a racial slur and is simply a word associated with the football team. But, likewise, it’s a football team! Changing the name to something inoffensive (and kind of cool) is a minor yet important display of penance for centuries of genocide.