controversy controversy involves logo national_football_league nfl franchise located washington metropolitan area native american individuals tribes organizations questioning use image decades professional organizations representing civil rights educational athletic scientific experts published resolutions policies state use native american names symbols non native sports teams harmful form ethnic promotes misunderstanding prejudice contributes problems faced native americans washington team example larger controversy receives public attention defined insulting modern prominence team representing nation capital native americans officially demanding change include hundreds tribal nations national tribal organizations civil rights organizations school boards sports teams individuals largest organizations count total enrollment membership million individuals growing number public officials sports commentators journalists advocating change addition forms direct protest opponents took legal action cancel held team june united_states patent voted cancel federal trademark considering native americans july alexandria virginia upheld decision support continued use come team owners majority fans include native americans supporters honors achievements virtues native americans intended negative manner team president point use high school teams reservations majority native american students supporters asserted majority native americans offended based national poll commentary published soon poll native american scholars collaborated critique stated flaws study measure native american opinion expression white privilege washington_post published poll central question posed yielding identical result critics immediately questioned addressed flaws found poll questioned reducing complex civil rights issue matter personal opinion national public opinion polls consistently find majority general public support team continued use ranging percent recent years separate metropolitan area polls found small majority fans think term offensive native americans contexts history football team shared playing field baseball team moved home boston_red_sox owner changed likely avoid confusion retaining indian imagery team honor coach logo similar current logo native american head profile trailing feathers current logo proposed tribal chairman president introduced modeled likeness buffalo members tribe today express range opinions support indifference strong opposition based personal experiences origin meaning public debate meaning word team supporters frequently citing paper senior curator emeritus asserts term originally meaning interview admits impossible verify native words accurately translated began reference skin color racial usage history lecturer states native american usage generally attributed european writers states team logo works reinforce unrealistic stereotype non indians define image native american positive stereotypes allow fans supporters honestly state honoring native americans forcing idea honour people fundamentally advocates changing emphasize current meanings american english include usually offensive insulting taboo meanings consistent usage found books period studied trademark litigation linguistic expert successfully argued origins time based passages books newspapers movie clips word inevitably associated contempt sentimental noble savage associate professor columbia_university compares racial terms oriental acquired implied meanings associated contempt defenders point native american use term including predominantly native american high schools mascot native american writer attorney compares native american use variations word african american use variations word use terms members minority communities mean words outsiders ross notes activism issue minority native americans concerned immediate issues says presentation problematic native americans identifies natives way vast majority natives simply don identity controversial claim term emerged practice paying bounty indians refers bloody native americans official documents use word way historical association use paying newspaper daily republican printed announcement state reward dead indians increased red skin sent sum dead bodies indians east worth news story published kansas october tells settlers hunt view obtaining valued association evoke strongly negative sentiments interview trademark decision lead expressed opinion actually dates time native american population bounty hunters hired kill native american people order kill bring skin controversy issue discussed media terms reduced feelings opinions prevents understanding history context use native american names images use sports teams eliminated social science research says sports images mere entertainment important symbols deeper psychological social effects directly affect academic performance self esteem native american youth people face high rates suicide unemployment poverty euro americans exposed likely believe stereotypes true native americans identity stereotypes research demonstrates harm studies showing exposure stereotypes increased likelihood stereotypical thinking citizens regard groups advocates changing team use stereotypes native americans understood context history includes conquest forced relocation organized efforts federal state governments native cultures boarding schools late 19th early 20th centuries europeans landfall north_america native peoples suffered array stereotypes portrayed noble eyed recently simply casino rich native peoples find efforts treated measure respect integrity undermined images complex tribal historical personal experience dimensional representations tells depicted addition names images native americans opposed point culture fans playing indian understanding deeper meaning feathers face paint chants dancing director emeritus society article imagine people mocking african americans black face game game team indian fans war paint faces equivalent black face unofficial mascot team aka african american man attended games beginning dressed red faux indian costume complete war fans dress similar costume games controversy began receiving attention starting february topic washington subsequently new_york sponsored series radio ads city coincide games season featuring targeted message broader range persons spoke favor change open discussion including local government leaders members congress president barack_obama statements support change civil rights religious organizations added native american groups making decades direct action form rallies marches frequent larger number participants owner nfl commissioner supporters keeping logo believe refers positively native americans qualities strength courage majority scholars argue use stereotype positive negative advancement targeted group wrote use stereotype portrayal indians considered national organizations representing academic disciplines reviewing research issue passed resolutions calling end native american images sports include executive board nation leading organization scholars history approved resolution april organization american historians adds voice growing demands native american organizations sister disciplines people ethnic backgrounds change logo washington report published research real impact native team names american indian case public debate misses point individual opinions matter given effects mental health native american young people exposed ethnic identity hostile insulting behavior non natives occur teams names play writes use native imagery particular use dictionary defined form bullying negative impact officially sanctioned controversy crossed atlantic response scheduling game stadium london october letter nfl members parliament said goes directly values british citizens addition stadium bbc policies allow use racial solution change send team native american advocates change 1940s created campaign eliminate negative native american people media time campaign began focus indian names sports maintains teams braves negative stereotypes native american people native traditions rituals issued new report opposition indian team names generally particular trademark case placed significance opposition estimating organization represented native american population time granted met criteria substantial composite native americans finding brief filed case states combined enrollment member tribes million individuals addition tribal councils passed resolutions issued statements opposition including nations oklahoma arizona tribes new_york north eastern tribes april voted favor statement opposing washington team references american indians professional sports franchises native american groups advocating change include national native american law student association individuals native americans actively opposed include author recent presidential medal freedom recipient senator director indian author historian author founder activist actor civil rights religious organizations annual conference leadership conference civil human rights includes members passed unanimous resolution representatives present recognizing business amendment right use chooses need use insulting calling federal state local government entities end tax policy treatment viewed supporting franchise long retains current team resolution commended current government officials media outlets entities encouraged franchise change team refused promoting current team response team released brief statement reiterated previous position quoting individuals native american fans want change issued press release decision cancel trademark protection team issued press release supporting decision stating called specifically change continue stand native indian community moniker changed alliance non profit organization closely allied nfl civil rights issues decided announce support change repeated attempts discuss issue team owner representatives attorney alliance law professor study controversy concluded native americans justified finding offensive issued resolution calling end sports teams names promote racism particular organizations signing letter broadcasters urging avoid advocates change group religious leaders washington sent letter nfl commissioner team owner stating moral obligation join change mascot movement offensive inappropriate nature causes pain intended june passed resolution calling stop images native american community june affiliated amended dress code ban logo offensive values community protests assumed debate recent origins local washington newspapers published news items controversy times response native american individuals organizations asking changed national protests began team super bowl victory prompting numerous native americans wrote letters owner products protested rejected possibility change protest people super bowl aim main organizers protest occurred occasionally played particularly cities significant population native americans dallas denver minneapolis protest supported minnesota politicians resumed season team played largest rally minneapolis estimates number owns naming rights team stadium corporate sponsor officially subject native americans indian tribes largest tribe native peoples responses controversy following february racist stereotypes cultural appropriation american sports members congress sent letter team owner nfl commissioner requesting changed offensive native americans response team owner famously told usa today change simple use caps sent open letter fans published washington_post october stated important meaning association fans memories personal history team states chosen honor native americans general coach players time native american coach consulted reservation designing logo sent letter washington_post stating organization endorse use like native american organizations country members staff extended community find offensive june defended citing origins traditions polls support popularity website team states annual nfl poll showing percent support poll taken native americans demonstrates continued widespread deep opposition changing respect point view small number people seek change important recognize people agree case making team president addressed letter dated senator repeating position originated native americans refer logo designed approved native american leaders vast majority native americans public find offensive defense come mainly conservatives george native american support website reported opinions local fan claimed chief american originally tribes alaska said offensive family term indians reservation nfl commissioner wrote letter congress pointed recent remarks chief american chief indicate support nickname native americans soon reported american chief chief nickname including list court records related theft domestic violence matters executive director said chief indian terms alaska native peoples brother sister new_york state native american ardent fans virginia indian leaders offended concerned issues lack federal recognition virginia tribe eagles green retired chief area stated radio talk offended team change article current chief states offended current support changing team november nfl salute service month recognized members briefly commercial break stated opinion team american action criticized described publicity stunt april voted favor statement opposing washington team references american indians professional sports franchises later year members students attended game support released minute video youtube entitled powerful number native americans express support team fourteen individuals members tribe montana associated club descendants logo designer members tribes state fans team find wrong think positive individuals video reported born washington african american japanese descent teams use supporters note predominantly native american high schools use sports teams suggesting acceptable principal arizona said use word outside american indian communities avoided legacy term created located voted number high schools steady decline percent having local efforts change april high schools states subsequently additional high schools changed additional schools california required january change business decision professors summarized research new_york_times editorial studies college teams changed names indicate long term financial benefit vocal opponents change threatened withdrawal support changes professional teams comparison nfl teams shows highest negative trend brand equity calling question business logic retaining native american names offensive minority commentary forbes states research specifically considering fan loyalty traditions team indicates value brand significant unlikely change business reasons alternative opinion team benefit branding new need carefully selected sales merchandise declined prior year people having second thoughts wearing shirt logo called racist said senior analyst team spokesman attributed decline dismal performance season teams bad records seen steep decline sales corporate sponsors public response media inquiries stated play role decision team nfl despite controversy value team risen million billion making valuable franchise nfl based published forbes magazine governmental regulatory action political opinion majority advocating change democrats indication issue real significance electoral decisions given native americans small percentage electorate likely influence outcome election states natives greater percent population alaska arizona montana new_mexico oklahoma wyoming polls definite political difference opinion general public democrats opposing change versus republicans statements political figures generally expressions personal opinion recommendations government action non binding resolutions advocating change proposed new_jersey passed minneapolis california topic came interview president barack_obama stated owner consider changing native americans didn stake issue owner professional sports team november obama speaking white house tribal nations conference stated names sports teams like negative stereotypes native americans praised new initiative help schools change names designing new paying cost new uniforms senators democrats sent letter nfl commissioner asking league referencing case send clear message nba racism place professional sports democratic senators declined sign letter republicans invited senators publicly supported declined opinion stated opposition senate involvement issue metro area jurisdictions local political discussion building stadium beginning 1990s maryland location chosen possibility building new stadium near future previous current district_of_columbia stated change discussion team rejects virginia governor met owner discuss building new stadium virginia years beginning departure nfl team large area maryland southern states slowly changing maryland nfl fans baltimore maryland politicians stated change current governor opposes change citing desire stadium maryland virginia fans numerous dedicated supporters state local governments economic incentives encourage team relocation facilities maintain entirely business decision team agency commonwealth virginia lottery sponsor team says complaints trademark cases prominent native americans petitioned cancel trademark owned inc judges canceled federal registration mark district_of_columbia reversed decision grounds insufficient evidence subsequent appeals rejected basis native americans pursued rights manner words old second case filed younger led june voted cancel held team decision held term substantial composite native americans demonstrated near complete drop usage reference native americans beginning 1960s majority held represented percent native americans time question board found satisfied substantial composite test found term refers native americans having independent meaning team claims shown costumes worn marching band 1960s 1980s native imagery press guides years evidence include frequent references years reporting loss game passages movies 1940s 1960s refer native americans savage enemy expert team unsuccessfully argued merely descriptive term different uses color differentiate people race reaction decision characterized government interference private business improper limitation freedom expression fact government responsibility regulate use team retains rights common law enforce federal government assistance july judge lee affirmed decision denying team summary judgment motions challenging act granted summary judgment motions finding evidence court supports legal conclusion consisted matter substantial composite native americans decision bar team marks taking steps protect rights brand october filed appeal addition maintaining validity arguments rejected appeal team added list names claim offensive racist given making cancellation marks unequal treatment december struck prohibition separate case involving similar denial trademark registration asian american band majority opinion stated personal feelings mark issue marks amendment government deny registration find speech likely april asked review case public opinion polls varying somewhat national opinion polls consistently indicate majority general public advocate change percent april percent june percent september yielding overall results similar national polls majority supporting team keeping local surveys ask additional questions polls supported team percent percent percent maryland virginia fans said word offensive native americans contexts september national poll found percent think native americans percent shows percent lot annual nfl poll found significant difference opinion based age race older respondents opposed change strongly favor change white fans believe changed african american latino fans agree change poll little difference white non white opinion annual nfl poll found significant difference opinion based age race older respondents opposed change strongly favor change white fans believe changed african american latino fans agree change poll little difference white non white opinion question submitting minority rights majority decision president indian wouldn poll race wouldn african americans vote decide sort racial epithet offensive survey frequently cited opponents change definitive native american opinion performed questions election year issues respondents identified native american asked professional football team washington calls native american find offensive doesn bother response ninety percent replied bother percent said offensive percent answer methods survey conclusions drawn criticized social scientists native american scholars legal experts years august memo written senior researchers organization responsible collecting data survey clear taken accurate reflection native american attitudes time alternative method standard opinion polls survey conducted individuals individuals positively identified native americans finding agreed statement offensive racist response non natives opposite responding offensive washington_post poll washington_post released poll self identified native americans produced results poll respondents bothered team differences poll poll criticized land lines time rare reservations respondents new poll contacted cell phones based surveys indicating native americans cell phone household land line answered request youngest adult present respond questions cell phones individual answering phone completed survey new survey included alaska hawaii large populations indigenous people survey included states sample selection new survey routine opinion survey asked consider white black african american asian native american mixed race race responded native american native asked questions sample identified hispanic asked enrolled members tribe respondents said tribal members addition codes containing high proportion tribal reservation land targeted low percentage native americans general population responses collected month period december april new questions included participants asked heard debate responded heard said debate important responded personally offended called smaller sample respondents asked term native americans responding said pro football fans split similar national polls adults variations characteristics sample population native americans based census data reported results based statistical raw data respondents older highly educated college likely live northeast regions compared native americans census criticism wording question native american find offensive doesn bother confusing addressed asking question respondents check answer given problem critics question unclear asked given find offensive distinct doesn bother later reports results offended bothered response poll responded poll uses faulty data methods continuing problem self identification reporting results misses point objections established social science research authentic voices native americans real individual feelings issued statement calling publication poll reporting significance inaccurate misleading reporters editors story known justification continued use harmful racist dangerously process reporting story acceptable institution addressing criticism editorial board continues maintained prior position avoid use possible editor advocate change decide drop protest light poll results los_angeles_times editorial cites evidence offensive poll change given questionable representation native american opinion
Washington Redskins name controversy