I’m just riffin’ here so fact-check the minutiae as you see
fit but I’m gonna stand by the larger points.
In a world that’s existed for millions of years, of which we’ve
been present and accounted for maybe a fragment of a percentage, we’re infants.
So I’m somewhat heartened when I come across a genuine first-world problem. And
by that I do not mean figuring out how to hold one’s place in line during work
hours while waiting for the new iPhone to go on sale. (In big cities I’m
assuming this is a boon to the street economy.) No, I mean truly philosophical,
first-world problems. The Washington Redskins. The name itself is offensive to
a considerable number and variety of people. But it’s also a great source of
pride for another, very specific, group of people. And therein lies a truly
modern (progressive?) conundrum. Much like Scotland’s recent referendum on
rebellion and secession, the debate regarding the name and mascot of the
Washington, D.C., franchise of the National Football League (trademark, etc.)
is, and largely has been, a civil one. And that is something that can only
exist somewhere that has the freedom to argue the meaning of words because society
has accepted a basic understanding of humanity.
Don’t get me wrong, the good ol' US of A still struggles with
racism, classism, poverty, and its own unique version of the caste system. But
these things are not mutually exclusive. Jefferson is the architect of modern
representative-democracy yet owned slaves and profited greatly from them. Such
duality is a blessing and a curse, but our best intentions return to our
principles and we strive to actualize them in the face of our own shortcomings.
We’ve always been our most progressive when facing the demons of our own
creation. We rejected the unjust yoke of one king to beget a nation that raped
the indigenous kings and queens of another; we perfected slavery and servitude
in pursuit and deliverance of the world’s greatest bounty, and then paid penance
(gained redemption?) through united struggle to overwhelm forces who would yoke
the world entire; and we continue to cloak ourselves in a hero’s cape while
subduing the modern-day comic book villains.
But to be able to wrestle with such foes is a testament to
our progress. There are always dragons to slay, but there is a certain
refreshing appeal to knowing that we’ve reached an existentialism that includes
the branding of an epithet and the arguments for and against that follow.
Washington didn’t mean to offend when creating their mascot because offending
wasn’t a consideration at the time. Now that it is, more history has passed to
give merit to those who have known nothing but pride in a name.
The prudent thing, by the mere fact that this is a thing - a
discussion - is of course to change the name and make serious hay (that is, $$$)
from the tedious process that entails. For surely even those who will claim
offense to having the name changed will remain supporters, versus the ongoing
quagmire of being known as a racially insensitive, backward, racist
organization in a league that already tacitly condones rape, murder, adultery,
and spousal abuse. Then again, maybe calling themselves the Redskins for as
long as they possibly can is the best idea. If after all the other bullshit
that’s gone on in just the past few months alone doesn’t impact ratings and
viewership (yeah, check your stats, kids), continuing to offend a statistically
insignificant portion of said viewership (or, PEOPLE) isn’t going to make them
change their minds.
But there’s a discussion going on. And in a world that
sometimes seems hell bent on destroying itself, that alone is perhaps something
to inspire us further onward.
