My friend Gary Edwards is wrong on this one. I saw his video on the Washington pro football team website. There is no way to justify using the term redskins, no matter how many coats and backhoes the team owner wants to give away.

Gary, Dan and Commissioner Goodell (as Gary calls them in the video), ignore the consequences of further degrading a proud people slaughtered, deceived, and demoralized. Capitalizing on a slur, no matter how you justify it, sadly perpetuates an ugly story. The foundation is a sleazy effort to win over a racial group. If you really want to “help” Native Americans as you say—do the right (and very easy) thing—start with changing the team’s name. Then if you really want to “help” us some more, create an education scholarship where all Native Americans may benefit if they so desire.

I have studied Native American history, particularly that of my tribe, Hualapai. I cannot find one instance where our people called themselves redskins. You claim some past tribal people called themselves redskins in negotiating with the federal government. Really? If that’s the case it was long ago. The times have changed. We have a black president, slavery is gone, Native Americans are considered citizens of the United States, anti-discrimination laws have been passed, the N word and other ugly racist names to identify a racial group are no longer acceptable and on-and-on. Why do you think redskins should be an exception?