A recent petition for the Washington Commanders NFL team to revert to its former name, the Washington Redskins, shows that there are a large number of people supporting such a decision. Moreover, the petition was organized by a Native American group, the people who were supposedly offended by the former name.
The Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA) started the online petition, which has skyrocketed to over 100,000 signatures. “We, are passionate supporters of the Washington Redskins and its rich history. We write to you today as a collective voice, urging you to reconsider the recent name change from the Redskins to the Commanders. We believe that restoring the original name, the Redskins, is the right decision for the team, its loyal fanbase, and the legacy it represents,” the petition reads.
Instead of causing offense, the petition’s author claims the phrase “Redskins” is culturally significant to Native Americans. He claims it is actually a term of endearment, and changing the name of Washington’s football team suggests otherwise.
“The name “Redskins” carries deep cultural, historical, and emotional significance, honoring the bravery, resilience, and warrior spirit associated with Native American culture. It was never intended as a derogatory or offensive term but as a symbol of respect and admiration. Changing the name abruptly disregards the positive legacy that the Redskins name has built over the years and disorients the passionate fans who have invested their emotions, time, and unwavering support in the team,” the petition continues.
The description continues explaining that the name change hinders the football team from embodying its own history. The petition claims that by discarding the long-held name of “Redskins,” it weakens the brand of the team and divides the fanbase. For generations, Washington football fans have been committed to the “Redskins,” not the “Commanders.”
“The name “Commanders” fails to capture the essence, tradition, and historical weight associated with the Redskins. It lacks the uniqueness, emotional connection, and pride that our team’s original name embodies. The change to “Commanders” dilutes our team’s identity and weakens the connection with its devoted fanbase. By restoring the Redskins name, we reinstate a symbol of unity, strength, and shared identity that has inspired generations of fans.”
NAGA concludes its petition by requesting the organization bring back the iconic name that many fans used to love. The Native American organization claimed that doing so would only honor Native Americans while benefiting the team’s identity and fanbase.
“In light of the aforementioned reasons, we kindly request that you reconsider the name change and reinstate the name Redskins. By doing so, you will honor the history, tradition, and emotional connection that millions of fans have forged with the team. We stand united in our belief that this change will strengthen the team’s identity, engage the fanbase, and promote a spirit of unity and understanding.”
As of writing this article, the petition sits at nearly 110,000 signatures, well on its way to reaching its goal of 150,000. In fact, it could easily surpass this goal with the recent publicity the petition has received, where over 6,000 people signed the petition today alone.
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