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On Monday, November 3rd, 2008, the eve of the presidential election, Chris Berman from ESPN asked both presidential candidates to address one issue "for change" regarding sports in America...

"Real Change" in Washington? "Redskins" NO WAY!

by Alan Lupiani (Contributor)

17

707 reads

Breaking News

November 17, 2008


On Monday, November 3rd, 2008, the eve of the presidential election, Chris Berman from ESPN asked both presidential candidates to address one issue "for change" regarding sports in America.

The interview took place during halftime of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Washington Redskins game on Monday Night Football.

Obama replied that he would like to see college football implement a playoff system for a national champion.

McCain offered up a similarly safe response by stating that he would expect more policing and monitoring of drug use in sports.

That being said, I'd like to offer up my opinion:

Start by changing the name of the racially insensitive, Washington Redskins.

The name "Redskins" gets a double whammy for:

1) Being totally insensitive to American Indians, and

2) It's the name of the football team in the city that houses our federal government.

Come on folks, give me a break!

Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins,  if you ever read this article, please take note. 



The Washington Redskins have bad karma for a reason. 

It sits on the head of every Washington Redskins football player. 

Mr. Snyder, the monumental "face" of America will change right in front of our eyes on January 11, 2008 when President-elect, Barack Obama takes the reigns of this country.

A "face" that's embodied in the talents of your starting quarterback, Jason Campbell.

Is it any wonder that a Superbowl won by the Redskins came by way of an exceptional African-American quarterback by the name of Doug Williams?

That's right!  Doug Williams led the Redskins in Superbowl XXII to victory on January 31, 1988 by beating John Elway's Denver Broncos. 

Williams earned MVP honors in that game completing 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards, and four touchdown passes, arguably the best quarterback performance in Superbowl history.

Mr. Snyder, why not make some real change with your franchise instead of just spending millions of dollars trying to fix a problem that you just won't allow yourself to see? 

Seize the moment, the limelight, the world stage, something I am sure you would not mind at all!

Bad karma can't be fixed by throwing money at it.

Bad karma can only be fixed by realizing that a wrong has been committed, and doing something about it!

We as a country have changed.  We expect more from ourselves and each other.  "WE the people" have evolved, hopefully.

That includes respecting each others identity.

Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians take note. Your'e next. 

Daniel Snyder, it's time for you to put your millions aside and make a bold and "brave" statement for your country.

Show America and the rest of the world that change really has come to America. 

Author Poll

Best new name for the Redskins?

  • Comets
  • Delegates
  • Wave
  • World
  • Other (leave comment)
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Best new name for the Redskins?

  • Comets

    5.6%

  • Delegates

    16.7%

  • Wave

    0.0%

  • World

    5.6%

  • Other (leave comment)

    72.2%
  • Total votes: 18
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17 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Andrew Slebos 7 months ago

    WHAWHAWHA, effing crybaby. BTW...Mark Rypien was the last QB to win the Superbowl for the REDSKINS. I would suggest doing some research before you write an article. And to follow that up, I would suggest you do some "proof" reading after finishing said article. DC Comets is the worst name ever. It sounds similar to every cry baby sports name that has come out since people like you started crying about the insensitivity of sports mascots.

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  2. Alfred B. 7 months ago

    If you ever want to be taken seriously (1) do your homework and (2) proofread. All of the American Indians (which is their preferred name these days) of the central United States are fans of the Kansas City Chiefs! Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Also, being an Irish American myself I am disheartened you haven't addressed the ridicule I endure every Saturday when the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take the field. I am in no way a violent person, yet there is my heritage being displayed in an offensive light all over NBC. If you ever wish to be taken seriously please make your work a bit more scholarly next time.

    - Liberal Ph.D. in DC

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  3. Alan Lupiani 7 months ago

    Man, I really appreciate all the editing done to my article. Accuracy is the key, no doubt. Looking forward to reading your next...eeerrrr, first efforts! Kick ass dudes.

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  4. Jayson Edwards 7 months ago

    Alan Im a big fan of you'res and Ive readed all of your articles since you startd righting for the readskins. Dont let those haterz Alfred and Andrew get u down they don't no what they sayin. Lookin forwurd to ur next podcast.

    PS Im liberal and I think every team should change their names when ofense is taken. How hard is it to make change a team name obviously people here don't want Skins to win another superbowl b/c they are unbeated after elections.

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  5. Tom Jones 7 months ago

    ALan I loved Batman Bad. Keep up the good work!

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  6. Angel Navedo 7 months ago

    There may have been some slight oversights, but the message behind the article is what's important. It's not about being liberal—it's about not objectifying an entire class of people, and turning aspects of their culture into a meaningless chant.

    There are plenty of names available. It's difficult to mess with history, and the Redskins are a historic organization, but change needs to be made.

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  7. stan ogglesby 7 months ago

    How about the Washington Whiteys? The emblem can be a toothless redneck with a mullet or a money hungry politician or businessman. What do you think? Or, how about the Washington Suburbanites and the mascot could be a well groomed man with a government job who is crumbling inside while his wife and children run his life.

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  8. DCFootballFan Walters 7 months ago

    Seriously though, How about The Washington Warriors? The name change alone, even if the same mascot remained would be an improvement. If the mascot was to be changed it could even become a racially nonspecific American soldier or something along those lines.

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  9. Tom Jones 7 months ago

    How about this for name controversy- a basketball team named the "Tall Blacks"

    This is true:

    http://www.basketball.org.nz/national-teams/tall-blacks/

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  10. George W Bin Laden 7 months ago

    The Washington Infidels

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  11. James Turner 7 months ago

    I like the Redskins. Warriors is not a bad idea at all. But changing their name needs to take some time. Let some of the Native Indians publicly speak their opinions about how they feel about the Washington Redskins. Come to a conclusion. I mean I've heard Native Americans had problems with it but bring it more to the limelight. Then, we can take it from there.

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  12. Alan Lupiani 7 months ago

    I got it....the new name for Washington!

    I thought about this ALL DAY.

    And it just hit me.

    The Washington REDHAWGS!!! Perfect...I am not kidding.

    It blends the old with the new AND the glory days of the '83 SuperBowl.

    Perfect.

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  13. stan ogglesby 7 months ago

    I have another idea for the name. We serve up some irony by changing the name to "The Washington Indians" but the mascot becomes a man wearing a turban while sitting "Indian style" on a magic carpet. The cheerleader's can all dress like genies and the stadium will be known as "The Magic Lamp"

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  14. ian archibald 6 months ago

    Would all of you ask yourselves this question? Would a true white-supremiscist (spelling) or racist actually be a fan of a team named after a "rebel" native american warrior? Or go around with an American Indian head on his/her jacket?

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