WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a group of Native Americans who think the name of the NFL's Washington Redskins football team is offensive.
Article Source: NBC Sports
from:NBC SportsCourt won't hear complaint about Redskins name
Seeded on Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:21 PM EST (NBC Sports)
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These people need to get a life! Now if a pride of lions or pirates (raiders) wanted to sue because a team was besmirching their fine name, they might have a case. On the other hand, if the indian group used that argument...that the Redskins either needed to "get a team" or give up the name...that might fly.
Well then shouldn't the NAACP have to change their name too?
If the supreme court did listen to this case, it would open "pandora's " box on a whole plethera is similar issures in the country. The native american's and slaves, as so stated in the Constitution are "property" and not considered human; ie: "THREE FITHS OF A MAN". Throughout history and NOT his/her-story, you will find the thefts of religions, cultures, natural resources throughout the entire world and again, the supreme court does not want to be the light switch that turns the light on all that ugliness.
@1.1
Why do they need to get a life? It IS offensive to call Native Americans "Redskins." (Also, we're Native Americans... if you want to call us "Indians," I don't mind... Can I call you an imigrant?)
Back on topic: Are you telling me that you wouldn't care if there were a team called the "Blackskins?"
There are 6 (SIX) Native Americans who are offended that a football team is named Redskins? C'mon. There are so many offensive names to call us, but this is not one. A derogatory name defeats the purpose of the name, to project strength, fierceness.
I think the Redskins is a terrible name that should never have been approved and should be changed. There is a double standard in that people think anything to do with Native Americans is fine and not racist, have you seen the Cleveland Indians smiling Indian logo? But if this were a white or black racial slur it wouldn't last two seconds before someone shot it down. I think the NCAA set a good standard to not allow racist names in their sports, the NFL and MLB would be wise to do the same. I've heard people bring up the fighting Irish of Notre Dame as an example of a team name that isn't native american and is making fun of the Irish. I think that's different though since that is an Irish Catholic University that adopted that as their team name, a bit different than our Nation's capital choosing Redskins for their team name. Disgraceful.
I agree that a name change should be considered. A name that was acceptable in 1967 isn't necessarily appropriate 42 years later. Times change. But, that should be a matter between the team, its league and its fans. There's no role for the government here. Even the plaintiffs seem to recognize a limitation to what they can accomplish. They know they can't directly force a name change, but if the trademarks are invalidated the team will have to change its name out of business necessity.
But, the validity of the trademark should be viewed in the context of 1967. If the term wasn't widely considered insulting at that time, the trademark should stand. Otherwise, patents, copyrights and trademarks have no value if they can be revoked simply because society's standards change.
Thanks Barry for a well thought out response. I agree fully that this has little or no place in the supreme court. The NFL and the city of Washtington can call their team whatever they want. My point is that they should reconsider the image they are portraying with this team name and the negative connotations is it connected with. This is all a legal game to try to undo the trademarks to win their case since society as a whole and most of the other posters to this site can so easily laugh away racism. it's an opinion shift we need, not legal loopholes.
It is obvious the team picked the name out of reverence and respect for Native Americans, for there will to fight, to maintain their lifestyle and protect what was theirs. Qualities you would hope to instill in a team by selecting such a name. People need to get a life and look at the context something is being used in. Were I Native American I would feel honored that someone chose to acknowledge my race in such a manner. However, let me be the first to propose a new name should this group eventually succeed, I feel they should call themselves the Washington Carpet Beggar's or Washington Vote Panderers.
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Good gravy Marie:
We are worried about what a no talent Football Team ids called. The Political Correctness has gone far beyond the stupid stage and is now bordering on ridiculous,
AE North:
Be careful what you wish for you may just get it.
No; no self-respecting sissy bytch would wanna hang with him.
Professional Victims at work. What are all these minorities going to cry about when whites are a minority?
Besides, don't you get it, Washington and red skins, go hand in hand. They cant balance a budget, they overspend and most tax payers are going around seeing red.
i also have a complaint about a nfl team name: the vikings. i am of norse descent and find the name offensive to me, to my people and my ancestors. the horns on their helmets totally misrepresent the true vikings as they never wore them on their helments and their mascot, that fat, bearded pig wouldn't stand a chance against the real thing much less anyone on the team. i and all my friends of norse descent, who also feel the same way, are forming a group to protest the derogatory depiction of norse people. NOT! sounds pretty stupid doesn't it?
Hey, I'm upset with Notre Dame - I'm Irish and I don't think it's fair to label us as "Fightin". They should be called the "Bar Hoppin Irish" instead. It's more our montra'!!!
Will people get a life! Your forefathers were not that concerned when the names were originally used (same thing with the St. John's Redmen)! You should be proud that a team remembered your ancestors by naming their team after them! Are they also going to sue the motorcycle company who makes the Indian Motorcycle? And don't forget the guy who wrote the song "Ten Little Indians" while your at it!!
I understand there are a group of people from Troy who are getting ready to sue USC though.
It would be nice if this society would stop trying to be so damn PC. What a waste of time and money that could've been better spent feeding and housing the poor redskins that DON'T have their own casinos. I'd like to see the implementation of thick-skin training instead of sensitivity training. Get over yourselves people!
i have a friend who is a full blooded navajo. his two favorite teams are the REDSKINS and the CHIEFS. doesn't look like he's too offended.
Love your comment! The things people make up to get attention are ridiculous. There are far more important things to worry about than this. And, good for your friend....he has his priorities straight, I hope his team wins..whichever it is.
He doesn't know much about football, does he? It's not like golf. Low score doesn't win.
I guess none of you will be offended when I start my own NFL team called the Arkansas Inbreds and have everyone in the stadium show up in straw hats and overalls with jugs with three xxx's on them? Maybe you wouldn't, maybe you'd think that was funny and maybe it would be. But you could maybe see how people from Arkansas might think that was offensive.
Now why would you wanna change a fine logo with a pig on it to that dreadful image?
With that kind of logic, then every team in the country should change their name.
Being from the South I would not be offended at all. Hell we have a College team here called the GameCocks.
Aardvarks, Artichokes, Banana Slugs, Big Macs, Chokers, Criminals, Dots, Earwigs, Fighting Okra, Flivvers, Geoducks, Hot Dogs, Imps, Jumbos, Kewpies, Lawyers, Meloneers, Nanooks, Orabs, Peglegs, Quips, Rock-a-Chaws, Snails, Spudders, Thunder Chicken, Urchins, Voks, Wreckers, Yellowhammers and Zizzers -- believe it or not, these names are actually used by high schools and colleges across the United States as mascots for their athletic teams. -Marc Sheehan's Distinctive Mascot Collection
Corsair82, I hear you loud and clear. We have a ball team around hear called the SOB's (South-Obrien County)
how do you offend a state that had hillary clinton as govenor????????????
OMG
this country is full of cry BABIES!!!!!!!!!! Get a life.
Good! What nonsense.
Have to agree and I've thought this for many years--Get a life. It's football for crying out loud. I'm Swede and agree with co2 sq--Go Vikes! Augustana College in Rock Island IL are proud of their Swedish heritage and their moniker are the Vikings also. I had my photo taken in Bergen Norway in Sept under the awning of a shop "The Vikings" I'm Proud to be a Viking. I discovered I was part Irish, when I found my birth family 5 years ago. I was, well, disappointed. My ex was a drunkin' Irishman, now I IS ONE!!! Only, I'm not drunkin'! But you know, some of the biggest fighters I've ever seen are drunkin' Irishmen!! Several years ago this same thing came up in Omaha--yep, the city is named for an Indian tribe! Anyway a local high school had to change their name from Indians to "Patriots". 'come on...it's just plain stupid all this political correctness--GO FIGHTING ILLINI...
Redskins name offensive??? How about they move the team to California and call themselves the "HOLLYWOOD HOMOS".
The name is offensive. So is the cleavland basball team. Blacks would never stand for it.
The name may be offensive, but where in the Constitution does it give someone the right to not be offended? The name may be in poor taste, but that's not for a court to decide.
The fact is, if I were to recite the racist or ethnocentric names given to jews, white people, African Americans, Hispanics, Muslims, gays, Asians or any other group that compare to this term, I would no longer be able to post on this site because it is abusive and I would get banned. I love football and even so the name 'Redskins' disgusts me and I believe it is a complete embarresment to the United States of America. You don't have to agree because this is America. Even so, admitting that you advocate a double standard you prove yourself a bigot, which makes you a backwards low life, regardless of your identity.
well they beat the broncos so there!
If the Redskins were a winning team, nothing would be said. Who cares what the team is called, its just a football team. I am Native American and could care less what they call that team, just wish they could have picked a team that won more. I guess after the Dallas and Green Bay game, any cowboy would be ashamed that Dallas was named after them. So giive it up and stop all this BULL.
I guess all of the Southerns are getting together to have the Yankees change their name too!! I surprised that the athiests havn't done something to have the LA Angles name changed also!
Plus, there's not an Irish Player on the Boston Basketball team so their name should be changed also!
The courts have better things to do than to listen to a bunch of crybabies who need their 10 minutes of fame! GET IT SOME OTHER WAY!
I hear large, hairy, gay men are lining up to have Chicago change the name of its football team too.