Native American Guardians Association demands Commanders bring back ‘Redskins’ name
A group called the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) has demanded the Washington Commanders to bring back the ‘Redskins’ name.
NAGA has gained immense support for the reinstatement of the ‘Redskins’ name in Washington after Daniel Snyder sold the team. The support has grown so big that over 90,000 people have signed a petition for the reversal of the team’s name. The letter was addressed to the Commanders’ new owners, Josh Harris and Magic Johnson.
NAGA is a non-profit organization that promotes increased education about Native Americans in all venues. They also recognize the greater value of Native American heritage through sports, like the ‘Redskins’ and public platforms.
“We invite all Americans to stand up for the dignity of EVERY AMERICAN under assault in today’s increasingly nonsensical culture wars,” the petition says.
“This ‘LINE IN THE SAND’ moment reinforces undeniable history of the NATIVE AMERICAN assisting the FOUNDING OF AMERICA, with NATIVE AMERICAN principles used by the FOUNDING FATHERS in the US Constitution – and, EVERY AMERICAN’s right to the 1st and 14th Amendment and not to be targets of cancel culture or ESG.
“This is not a simple left or right issue for Americans; it reaches across the political spectrum dating back to our Founding Fathers.
“As the NFL franchise representing the nation’s capital, you have a distinct opportunity to recognize the history and value of the American Indian.”
The word ‘Redskins’ is seen as a common misconception around non-Native Americans, according to NAGA.
“‘Redskins’ or ‘Red people’ are the most authentic terms as the Native Americans used a color system to identify others. In the late 1600s and 1700s, the term was first used by Native Americans to self-describe and distinguish themselves from the White man and Black man. ‘Redskins’ was first used as an inclusive expression of solidarity by multi-tribal delegations,” the article says.
“As with many words in our language, intent, tone and context play a part in how words are interpreted. Anyone calling Redskins ‘racist’ when it’s used as a self-identifying Native American term, simply because it’s used positively, is an act of finding the worst in it. Ignoring its intent, tone and context deliberately misinterprets its use,” the article continues. “Why, when 90% of Native Americans feel differently? They have the right to elevate the term, and we have a duty as a community to state our intent and context, with the blessings of groups like the Native American Guardians Association who represent saving and defending native imagery in a positive way.
“The name Redskins was chosen in 1933 to honor Native Americans in general and the coach and four players at that time who were Native American; and that in 1971 coach George Allen consulted with the Red Cloud Indian Fund on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation when designing the logo,” the organization says in the article.
Ultimately, if Native Americans believe the term ‘Redskins’ isn’t racist, but instead a more elevated term in their culture, why do people have to disagree with it? It is a term of honor, according to NAGA. Why make such a big deal out of it?
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