• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Sunday, May 28, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Opportunities
      • Legals
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

What’s in a name? Racist abuse, say hundreds of protesters

by Aleeza Hasan
October 30, 2019
20
SHARES
399
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
By Demetrius Pendleton

On Thursday evening October 24, hundreds of Native Americans and their allies gathered across from US Bank Stadium before and during the Minnesota Vikings football game to protest the Washington team name: Redskins.

The rally was preceded by a march to the stadium from Peavey Park. Protesters carried signs and chanted slogans that voiced their displeasure. Traditionally dressed dancers performed at the rally on the chilly fall evening. Speakers included longtime Native rights activists and Minnesota Lt. Governor Penny Flanagan. Flanagan told the crowd that her six-and-a-half-year-old daughter told her, “We are not mascots.”

The crowd gathered holding signs with phrases like “I am not a mascot” and “NFL Racist.” Many of them also donned the long-sleeved t-shirts that were handed out bearing the message “#notYourMascot” on the back.

Among them was Anne Haines, an Indian advocate, from the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Law Center. Haines, who is African American and Native, said, “What brought me to the protest is the heinous name of the Washington football team that White culture continues to appropriate and misappropriate and abuse my people.

“Simply put,” said Haines, “if it is that offensive and you do a little bit of research and history about why it’s offensive, any decent human would immediately disregard using that name, that logo [or] that imagery.”

- ADVERTISEMENT -
By Demetrius Pendleton

While the origin of the word “redskin” remains heavily debated and controversial, some believe that it relates to the scalping of Native Americans by White settlers during earlier U.S. history. An article from a Minnesota newspaper printed in 1863 included this: “The State reward for dead Indians has been increased to $200 for every red-skin sent to Purgatory.”

Others have argued that the original use of “redskin” was not offensive and a reference to the Beothuk Indians who painted themselves red, causing others to refer to them as “red men” or “red Indians.” A fan of the Washington team wrote in 2008 in Bleacher Report, “I don’t use the term in a derogatory way. I don’t conjure up negative images of Native Americans when I think about my team; I picture proud warriors who would fight to the last.”

David Glass, president of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media (NCARSM) and a member for 30 years, attended the protest. The Coalition has been working for three decades to change sports team names across the nation. “We’ve been responsible for helping to change the names of over 3000 [K-12] schools, college, universities, that have appropriated Indian imagery and/or regalia as costumes,” he said.

NCARSM’s primary focus is raising awareness. Glass explained that once they are made aware of a sports team with a name they find offensive, they contact the school board, the principal, dean, or the university president with a letter explaining who they are, the work that they do, and why the organization finds the name offensive, why it’s disrespectful.

“We provide them all kinds of documents, psychiatric mental health reports that talk about the damage being done to our kids and our youth,” he said.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

According to a report by Dr. Michael A. Friedman, the more prominent the team, the larger the negative impact upon the community. “That increases the likelihood of Native Americans experiencing prejudice and discrimination by being exposed to harmful stereotypical slurs in every aspect of their lives: on television or radio, in newspapers or magazines, at work, in stores or in schools,” stated Friedman.

Consistent stereotyping against Native Americans may lead to worsening mental health within their communities. Studies demonstrate that “prejudice and discrimination worsen some of the most serious mental health issues among Native Americans. Specifically, prejudice and discrimination is associated with increased depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation among Native Americans, as well as health symptoms and health behaviors that influence well-being.”

Speakers at the protest called upon team owner Dan Snyder to change the name. Snyder, who bought the team in 1999, has refused to change the name. He was quoted in a USA Today article in 2013 saying, “We’ll never change the name.”

By Demetrius Pendleton

The director of communications for the Washington NFL franchise, Sean DeBarbieri, in a statement responding to the protest, wrote, “Our organization has always believed the name represents honor, respect and pride; ideals we work to uphold each and every day. As we’ve shared previously, we have significant local support to keep the name and a 2019 Washington Post poll reconfirmed this sentiment.

“Not only are Native Americans not offended by our use of the name, they are proud of it—and our organization is and will remain proud to carry the Redskins name.”

- ADVERTISEMENT -

It is likely that controversy over the team name will continue for years to come, but protesters remain adamant about the racist connotations connected to the term. “That’s a dark piece of our history,” said Glass. “It’s not honoring us.” 

Aleeza Hasan welcomes reader responses to ahasan@spokesman-recorder.com.

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

The importance of educators of color for black & brown students

Next Post

Child Protection under fire as critical legislation to help Black families stalls

Aleeza Hasan

You Might Also Like

​The search for elusive Black fans continues
Sports

​The search for elusive Black fans continues

New Vikings GM confident he hired the best head coach
Sports

New Vikings GM confident he hired the best head coach

First flag football season could be the start of something big
Sports

First flag football season could be the start of something big

Flag football gains momentum with Vikings support
High School

Flag football gains momentum with Vikings support

Flores resists NFL’s forced arbitration threat
Sports

Flores resists NFL’s forced arbitration threat

NFL agrees to end ‘race-norming’
Sports

Fallout from NFL lawsuit continues

Next Post
Child Protection under fire as critical legislation to help Black families stalls

Child Protection under fire as critical legislation to help Black families stalls

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Community remembers, looks forward three years after George Floyd’s police killing

Community remembers, looks forward three years after George Floyd’s police killing

In history-making selection, Biden picks Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, Jr. as chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff

In history-making selection, Biden picks Gen. Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, Jr. as chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Black-owned farmers market in full swing this spring

Black-owned farmers market in full swing this spring

Honoring Black Americans’ role in the inception of Memorial Day

Honoring Black Americans’ role in the inception of Memorial Day

Saints pitcher Woods Richardson keeps on trying

Saints pitcher Woods Richardson keeps on trying

Black Business Spotlight: West Indies Soul Food

Black Business Spotlight: West Indies Soul Food

Minneapolis
◉
79°
Sunny
5:31 am8:48 pm CDT
MonTueWedThuFri
88/66°F
86/66°F
86/66°F
86/66°F
90/66°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Mar 31
March 31 @ 7:30 pm-May 28 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

May 29
10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring

Preserving Nature Photos by Walter Griffin: REFLECTIONS

May 29
10:30 am-4:00 pm

Memorial Day Community Celebration at Lakewood Cemetery

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...