I love the words you just said! Keep the message going! WE are all beind you!

Hello Gyasi Ross

I am also from the Blackfeet Tribe in Browning, Montana born and raised. I have not paid much attention to the Native American Mascots that are used for things such as football and baseball or any other sports mascot. In ways I see it as an honor that they use names like the Washington Red Skins, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Braves etc. We ourselves use the name the Browning Indians or Big Red as I recently have heard with a mascot of the Indians, however, we have the right because we are Indian. The thing I don’t like is when they start parading around making a mockery of us Native Americans like it some sort of joke. No other race that I know of is displayed in this manner whether it is white people, Asians, blacks, Hispanics their ethnicity is not used as a mascot. You don’t see a team running out with afros paraded proudly or mocked at, you don’t see the Hispanic hats worn as a mascot, but if you think of it they wouldn’t look at cool as ours. This is also why I say it can be a prideful thing for us if they use it in that way, but a lot of times I don’t see that and more times than not you see it as a joke of some sort or hate towards Native Americans. This is what I think about it.

Melissa Wall

What makes people think redskins is any better than nigger?

As a grandmother, I don't think that calling my grandchildren "little redskins" is in anyway "honoring them". Braids, ribbon shirts, chokers, cowboy boots (never did get that one), beaded belt buckles, etc, etc, is just window dressing. The word "radical" simply defined just means "getting to the root" of something. Read the history of the name and then tell me its not that big a deal.

I agree to all of Native American beauty talking maidu, cherokee, sioux, fox, athabasken,

I agree to all of Native American beauty talking maidu, cherokee, sioux, fox, athabasken,

it is offensive how would another faction like gollywog and b**** skins...
martina manypaws ..Cherokee wa do O gi na li.

I am Lakota Sioux and I find the name offensive. It needs to be changed as it glorifies a derogatory term for my people.

Sioux children and families continue to seek and defend their freedom while AIM in Minnesota puts resources toward a protest of this kind. It shows us how little we understand of each other and what common sense we have. If we're going to live a full life the way we were created we've got to rise above our misunderstanding of each other and learn how we can go forward in this world. Only then can we learn to share our culture, our history and show others of this land the better way.

It offends me. I don't call white people crackers and so on about other races.

Enrolled member Choctaw Nation, instead of arguing about it I would like to see them change the name, out of respect. We have had so much taken and so much history obscured it would be great if they could just gracefully change the name and acknowledge the history of exploitation of the people whose ancestors have been here since their were Mastodons walking around the place.Calling people Redskins just furthers the mythology of race over culture and ignores the Sovereign Nation statutes that give us our rights.

I am not offended per se but I do think it is high time in our generation that respect is given to NA and if they say they find it offensive then change it. Simple as that. I am from the Oneida of WI, the Stockbridge Munsee of WI and the Cherokee of OK tribes. I'm also part white. I really don't care what non-natives think or say I still know as a child when I didn't have the understanding of life it would have affected me negatively. So yeah, I say change it. Kathy

i am not registered as american Indian but i am part Cherokee and Choctaw my thoughts on the term redskins, braves etc. is, back in the day it was a derogatory statement describing the killing of our people as far as being used as a name for a sports team it is not being used in a derogatory manner actually being used to describe warriors/fighters so I am not sure this is an issue we need to attack when we have much bigger issues that might help all tribes. Personnally I see it as a misdirection of energy when i read so many issues needing time, energy and money to fix them. My opinion may not count but there is mine anyway, thanks Ronjohn

Well myself, I don't feel offended about the Name of a Football Team, known as the Redskins. Afterall, its just a name of a team. It does not identify any particular tribe. I refuse to take it that way. If you let things bother you this way, you will never really accomplish anything but more hatred. You see, we all as individuals have our own opinion. there are so many REAL important things that matter to me as a Full Blooded Native Women from Indianbrook Reservation, in Nova Scotia, Canada, like suicide, alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, an over abundance of drugs running rampant on our reservations (no reservation is exempt). When innocent people start getting injured because of a "title" something is amiss. The more energy we put forth as a nation on the REAL important matters that concern our people, we will be better of.

I've been saying that what Native people think about the name is the most important. What I've heard is that there are a number of Native people who don't like the name and want it changed. If that's true, then there should be change, since why insult or offend people who don't deserve to have yet another insult thrown their way. But any changes should consider the assumed target of any insult associated with the team name and what those people want and think.

ok Mr.SWRUSSEL not trying to argue with you sir, but agree if it is harming children then yes it comes to a stop but no mascot anywhere in the world has harmed children so in fact what they are referring to is it offensive or not. I am Anishinabe from White Earth, MN and no it isn't offensive to me but an honor these mascots have been around for decades and this should be a vote amongst all Native Tribes in the USA to see how we feel not a bunch of I want to make myself look good our VOICE needs to be heard not every non Anishinabe.don't like what I said sorry. Miigwetch

I am Kituwah-"Cherokee" and I believe the name is offensive. I know where the terminology began and it is not something I want to hear on a regular basis. It disturbs me how the First Nation peoples are of no concern in the international community. It is our duty to rouse each other and stand up together. Spreading the story on how the terminology started would make a difference. It was our ancestors being skinned for money that started this term. The blood on the skinned hides was where the name began. It was not an honorable term, nor did it originally signify a color on the medicine wheel as I've heard some of our youth say. The changing of this demeaning name would be a great start in the right direction.

I am for it .IT is a Team With Honor and Pride

I am Irish and Lakota. My features and skin tone look Lakota. I was not raised on the reservation or in the Lakota community. When I was a kid, I took a lot of bullying because of my looks. I am proud of my heritage. Both sides! I am not offended by the term. I am grateful that I learned to cope with other people making rude remarks. Also glad that I learned about my heritage. It has made me strong. I do not care what words they use. Hearing that term, redskin......it is a badge of honor to me that it doesn't make me weaker. Good luck with this poll. I have talked to others, including elders. They say be strong, and I admit that I would rather emulate them than the cry babies. I think if Native Peoples speak up, we could be roll models for those who let the words of others cripple them. Words....should not define how we see ourselves. Thank you for the opportunity to express this.

Isnt there more important issues to be focused on! Like y most of tribes are not getting the money distributed like it should. Instead were focused on whether or not the name, ”Redskins” is politically correct. Honestly I don't care bout that, get back to the real issues!!

I am a redskin fan and very proud of my heritage the way I see is everyone wants to be an Indian LOL

" I've kinda stayed away from this subject" thats exactly when you should have continued with that action. Those of us who have been involved in this issue for over twenty years don't need to hear your tired perspective about it, we've heard it all along . The impulse to change these slurs and mascots is Native and always has been.

I see other issues being more important to Native Americans. Yes I'm Native and have two sons who agree.

Often people and organizations admire the heroism and romanticism evoked by the classic Native American image but others feel the use of Native American imagery in mascots is offensive and racist. Many native people consider the use of “Redskins” as derogatory.

Americans, in general, have a history of gathering inspiration from native people that dates back to the 18th century and this practice led to the origins of many nicknames and mascots. These were not from authentic sources but rather as Native American life was imagined by Euro-Americans.

I can remember attending schools on reservations where there was an institutional apathetic feeling that was shared by most teachers and educational staff. This apathy and lack of respect for culture is the foundation for education at many schools that serve American Indians and may well be the reason that the mascot issue is not bigger.

Despite the trend of multicultural education in some school systems, many school texts remain slanted towards stereotypes and prejudices and even worse, there are antiquated ideologies and approaches to teaching that still result in a poor education system for American Indians.

Addressing the use of inappropriate mascots is important and confronting the issue head-on by demonstration brings the issue to the public. I applaud the efforts of protesting and other grass roots methods, but it is an atrocious loss that, over the years, our education system has missed the mark completely. Racism is something that is learned and methods of combating racism can be learned as well.

The issues are not going away. It would be far easier and commendable for the owners to take the high road and change the Washington Redskins name to something everyone can be proud of, but confrontation and clashes between Indian and non-Indian is so ingrained in American history that, sadly, both sides will end up utilizing tons of resources before the mascot issue is put to rest. Education of non-Indians and Native people who may not realize that mascots, such as “Redskins,” and “Savages” have deep roots in racism, will take time and effort but it is an imperative move in the right direction of making mascots more positive. Simply put, offensive mascots such as “Redskins” are racist and need to change.

Lets start with the Tecumseh, Oklahoma high school mascot. The Tecumseh Savages name has been sanctioned by Native Americans on the school board. These Indians need to be educated.

One more thing..when I hear people say there are more important things to worry about like poverty, alcoholism, suicide etc.. I just shake my head. Most of those things are directly related to the Indigenous history of colonization and genocide and subjugation at the hands of Europeans and Americans. Using the term Redskins, no matter what people say, is a colonizers way to identify a people as one dimensional, and keep them stuck in the past. Just my thoughts.

I love your perspective and agree with everything you said in this article. My question is this: do the opinions of the team's fans, owners, and members really not count? I have a sneaking suspicion that most of the people involved in this outcry against the name have no personal interest in the issue and are using this soapbox to further themselves in some twisted way. Meanwhile, the loyal fans and people who have dedicated their lives to this organization are being attacked and offended themselves. I am only 1/16 indian but I am proud of that heritage, it is part of why I am a Redskins fan and have been for 40 years. Does my opinion count?