The logo for the Change the Mascot campaign
Peter d'Errico explores the campaign against the Washington NFL team's racist mascot:
If the campaign against "redskins" were only a debate about a name, it would be superficial. But the name represents the surface of a whole complex of issues, all rooted in anti-Indian colonialism…a colonialism that continues to this day in the form of laws and practices enshrined in "federal Indian law." Federal Indian law rests on the doctrine of "Christian Discovery," derived from 15th century Papal decrees promoting Christian colonial wars against "heathen and pagan inhabitants" of the "New World." That religious legal doctrine has never been overruled; it continues to be cited in U.S. Supreme Court decisions. If proof is needed that colonialism still exists, these decisions provide it. The ones who need a calendar are those whose calendars only show the game schedule of the Washington football team. One comment on another Facebook page, "Save the Washington Redskins," offers an over-the-top defense of the name: "To protect the sanctity of [the] term Redskins and the legacy of the Washington Redskins Franchise." Wow! "Sanctity"?! The dictionary defines that word to mean "holy, sacred, saintly." The anti-Indian religious roots of "Christian Discovery" have flowered into a sacred worship of the "term redskins"! Not satisfied with the sacred worship of the racial epithet, the commenter also calls to protect the "legacy of the…Franchise." Here we have entered the temple of corporate worship. A football franchise represents one of the most lucrative forms of capital investment. A sports franchise receives tax breaks and subsidies in the form of stadiums and relief from anti-trust laws. A sports franchise that has been deified by its fans—"sanctity"—has achieved the highest form of human allegiance: worship.Get the Story:
Peter d'Errico: The Puzzling Case of Natives Who Favor 'Redskins' (Indian Country Today 10/6)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Opinion: FCC can't block broadcast of R-word on
public airwaves (10/3)Gyasi Ross: Why African Americans should care about mascots (10/2)
FCC will consider petition to outlaw R-word on public airwaves (10/1)
Migizi Pensoneau: Behind the scenes at a Washington NFL game (9/29)
Column: Washington team should be worried about FCC petition (9/29)
Chelsey Luger: Washington NFL team doesn't own our identity (9/25)
Osage Nation to avoid FedEx due to association with NFL team (9/24)
DC Council considers bill to ban race-based mascots at schools (9/24)
Opinion: Town sends wrong message with street after R-word (9/24)
Activists ask judge to dismiss Washington NFL team's lawsuit (9/23)
Peter d'Errico: Video uses humor to battle racist NFL mascot (9/22)
Opinion: Racist sports mascots preserve 'imaginary' Indians (9/22)
Norbert Hill: It's past time to drop the Washington NFL mascot (9/18)
Peter d'Errico: Connecting mascots to racism and termination (9/18)
Opinion: Eliminating NFL team's racist mascot is just the start (9/18)
Student newspaper punished over refusal to print the R-word (9/18)
Sen. Cantwell to introduce bill to end NFL's tax-exempt status (9/16)
Bruce Anderson: Washington team name preserves stereotypes (9/15)
Column: DC-area Native people oppose NFL team's racist mascot (9/15)
Coalition asks broadcasters to avoid Washington NFL team's name (09/04)
Editorial: It's time to sack Washington NFL team's offensive name (09/04)
