Reply #31: Thank you for your valuable insight [View All]

[JonLP24]

This article reminds me of a poll conducted SI years ago and even though the 'majority' didn't find the name offensive it was a far smaller number then MSNBC.

<snip>75% of Native American respondents in SI's poll said they were not, and even on reservations, where Native American culture and influence are perhaps felt most intensely, 62% said they weren't offended. Overall, 69% of Native American respondents -- and 57% of those living on reservations -- feel it's O.K. for the Washington Redskins to continue using the name.<snip>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/magazine/08/17/indian.wars030402/index.html

When I did have a SI subscription years ago I remember an intramural basketball team at University of Northern Colorado conducted a satirical team name protest in the native american team names. While I can't remember which of the many magazines I still have features the article, Wikipedia has it down. I thought it was funny and a good idea.



The Fighting Whites (alternatively identified as Fightin' Whites, Fighting Whities, or Fightin' Whities) were an intramural basketball team formed at the University of Northern Colorado in 2002 and named in response to the Native American mascot controversy.<1>

The intramural college team briefly attracted a storm of national attention because of its satirical protest about stereotypes of Native Americans being used as sports mascots, particularly the "Fightin' Reds" of Eaton High School in Eaton, Colorado, not far from the university in Greeley. The Reds' mascot has been described as "a caricature Indian with a misshapen nose, a loincloth and eagle feather".<2>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Whites