In “Obama Points to ‘Legitimate Concerns’ Over Redskins’ Name,” Ken Belson writes about the continuing debate over the appropriateness of the Redskins’ name.
The long-simmering debate over the Washington Redskins’ name took a new turn when President Obama said that he would consider changing it if he were the team’s owner.
Obama’s comments are likely to stoke the dispute, which has forced the team, the N.F.L. and politicians on both sides of the aisle into the awkward position of defending a nickname that some Native American groups find objectionable.
“I don’t know whether our attachment to a particular name should override the real legitimate concerns that people have about these things,” Obama said in an interview Friday with The Associated Press.
Obama, who roots for baseball, football and basketball teams from Chicago, said he did not think that fans of the Redskins were deliberately trying to offend Native Americans. But advocacy groups and at least 10 members of Congress who insist that the Redskins name is derogatory are likely to embrace his comments.
Students:
- Is it offensive for sports teams to use Native American names and mascots? Why?
- Should teams, like the Washington Redskins, change their names? Explain.