Seeing red, again

A few months ago I addressed the issue of the Washington Redskins name. It's been around a long time so of course it's still here. Here's a news flash: It will be here until Redskins owner Daniel Snyder or his successor changes the name. Sooner or later there will be capitulation.

Since Snyder has his heels dug in, it's likely to be later than sooner. The issue will continue to fester until Ogallala High School (Indians) and Leyton High School (Warriors) are brought to their knees.

My view of the matter those several months ago was, in a nutshell, I don't care. If people were really that bothered by it, fine. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and history, so I'd be sorry to see the change. I'm not much of an NBA fan but I was even sorry to see the BaltimoreWashingtonCapital Bullets change their name to Wizzards. But if people are truly and deeply offended, nostalgia seems less important than hurting their feelings.

As this issue has dragged itself out in growing fervor, I noticed there is something truly bothersome about the thing. I heard it said on ABC that only about 10 percent of people were offended by the name Redskins. The number apparently wasn't much higher among native Americans.

Upon hearing that I've tried to Google a poll that was taken on the subject. I found nothing. Perhaps there's one out there, I just can't find it. So I don't really know how Americans in general feel or Native Americans in particular feel. I've never heard a word about it outside the media.

What's bothersome about it - especially if Native Americans really aren't troubled by it to any large degree - then where did it come from? Did it come from some small group that is determined to force their opinion on the rest of us? If that's so, they'll win. That's why I think eventual capitulation will come. It's an easy thing to market. Most Americans are generally decent. We don't like hurting people.

A couple of days ago Ray Halbritter, a representative of the Oneida Indian Nation, was a key speaker at a symposium in Washington discussing the issue. Halbritter and those he represents are offended. Halbritter is leading an effort to pressure Snyder into changing the name. I won't question his motives. I assume he's sincere.

Even President Obama weighed in on the issue. But of course he's a politician. He can't offend, so their was only one answer he could give - and he gave it. He said if he were the owner he would consider changing the name. Not much of a news flash there.

Of course those advocating for a name change are wise to present the president with the question. Because, like a good lawyer, the advocates know the answer to the question before they ask it. But President Obama has more pressing matters on his desk at the moment. We're not likely to hear much more from him on this.

I'd love to know where all this started. Whether or not Native Americans ever were really offended by it in the sense a black man would be offended by the "N" word seems unlikely to me. Offended, yes. But not to that degree.

Behind the delivery of the N word towards a black man is a history of vicious hate and ignorance. I didn't even know the word Redskins was even directed towards Native Americans with the same feeling. I know some pioneers called them Savages.

But I suppose that's not the point. Being called "Whitey" or "Cracker" or "Honkey" or "Pilgrim" wouldn't bother me. Call them the Washington Crackers for all I care. I could conjure up some pretty funny mascots to fit the name. But I simply can't relate to the issue in that way. As was one of my points when last I visited this topic, I didn't have to grow up being attacked simply for the color of my skin.

If I had been pounded from a young age by being called a Pilgrim - and I came to understand that word to mean that I was being called "a nothing" or worse, simply because I had white skin, I would have a better sensitivity to the matter on a more personal level. I can grasp it on an intellectual level, but not a personal one.

The things that hurt one aren't necessarily the same things that hurt others. I'm more hurt by negative things sent directly towards me or my family. That's as big as my tent gets. Make nasty remarks about my religion, my heritage, my home town and I couldn't care less. Put it in the form of a good joke and I'll laugh.

In the back of my mind I always thought the sports nicknames based on American Indians were in recognition of a great people - an honor. The image of Warriors or Indians, Blackhawks or Redskins seems to be about courage, honor, self sufficiency and toughness. That's what sports teams using those names are trying to project.

I have little doubt when the Washington Redskins adopted their name they wanted to project such an image of honor and toughness to their public. Afterall they're a football team - not a beautiful garden club. Just like the Native Americans had to be tough and self sufficient, so does a sports team.

Well, I have no conclusion here. I've been over this before. Traditions end and I'm always sorry when they do. I'm sorry, too, if some small group has to make the rest of us feel bad about the nickname of a sports team - if that's all it is. I'm sorry if millions are offended by "Redskins." As for myself I'll keep honoring what the image of what Redskins conjures up in me.