What's in a Name?

Monday Night Football kicks off its 44th season tonight (Sept. 9), with the Philadelphia Eagles at the Washington Redskins as the opening act. Don’t be surprised if you hear the fight song “Hail to the Redskins” a few times during the game.

But as they prepare to hit the field, the controversy surrounding team names and mascots such as “Redskins” has again resurfaced. In fact, renowned Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King said recently he would not use "Redskins," while media such as AP and New York Times do not plan to change.

Various universities have addressed the issue, such as the St. John’s “Redmen” changing to “Red Storm,” and the University of Illinois retiring its mascot “Chief Illiniwek.” Professional sports – not so much.

Obviously, this controversy is not new. In fact, below is a column I wrote for my college newspaper back in 1992. I even alluded to possibilities 20 years from that time, our present day.

Take from it what you will. Til the next time…

February 27, 1992

Angelo State University Ram Page

Guest editorial: Racism not strictly black-and-white issue

“Don’t tell me that you agree with me, when I saw you kicking dirt in my eyes…If you’re gonna be my brother, it don’t matter if you’re black or white.”

-- From “Black or White” by Michael Jackson

           

            Several weeks ago, Americans observed a holiday in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. That is, everyone except Arizona.

            Arizona does not view Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a federal holiday. It did in 1986, when former Gov. Bruce Babbitt enacted legislation making King’s birthday a holiday. One year later, however, then-Gov. Evan Mecham rescinded the King holiday for “budgetary reasons.” Past-Gov. Rose Mofford fought hard to revive the holiday for King, but when voters turned it down in 1991, it became extinct.

            Beyond the federal government, states should have the right to conduct business as they think necessary. Yet, state governments find themselves pleasing no one. They hope strong public relations and a mound of paperwork will convince people what they are doing is right.

            While blacks are discriminated in Arizona, Native Americans are discriminated in professional sports. The use of nicknames such as Indians, Chiefs, Braves and Redskins by professional organizations has long been resented by Native Americans, who feel such terms are offensive. Even Webster’s Dictionary defines “Redskin” as an offensive word.

            In last year’s World Series, Clyde Bellecourt, founder of the American Indian Movement, led a group of protestors demanding the Atlanta Braves change their nickname. A few weeks ago, Bellecourt again joined about 4,000 people to demonstrate against the use of “Redskins” as a Washington mascot.

            Mascot supporters argue the protestors are “mobsters” trying to draw attention to themselves. Other supporters claim such sport nicknames uphold tradition and upstanding values.

Yet, imagine 20 years from now watching the Phoenix Jews play the San Diego Caucasians or the Pittsburgh Negroes host the Los Angeles Hispanics. Do those nicknames elicit tradition and upstanding values to you?

However, it is not the fault of Arizona or professional sports. It is the fault of us all. Sure, we can create “laws” and form commissions to investigate problems. But have we found a solution to the question of racism?

Look at the issues of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and civil rights. Each has been the subject of much debate. Once again, where are the solutions? All are still as unanswered as they were 20 years ago. It is as though we are moving nowhere.

Simply put, each of us has a duty to end racism and racial discrimination. Sure, we all have feelings of jealousy, prejudice and fear toward each other, especially on the basis of color. Yet, that is on the inside. It is what we convey to others that reveals those feelings.

In late August 1963, more than 200,000 blacks and whites assembled at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to listen to King. He told them: “I have a dream that one day … little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today!”

If we realize we are all one people in color and content, the “dream” of ending racism toward blacks, Native Americans and our fellow man can slowly become a reality. Otherwise, we are not making King’s “dream” come true. We are making it a nightmare.

(Contributed by senior journalism major Scott Maier.)