Even after the President of the United States weighed in with his personal account of what it means to be a victim of prejudice.
With all due respect, the issue needs to be addressed on a much grander scale. There are a slew of Native Americans in and around small town Canada being followed in much the same manner as described by Mr.Obama and I’m sure other ethnicities around the globe can speak of similar stories.
At the core of every discriminatory act is insecurity, but perceptions are engrained by our environment and the extent to which it’s been accepted. For further insight, we need look no further than what has been gracing recent headlines.
Contestants on CBS’s Big Brother were caught hurling homophobic and racial slurs, justifiably given a swift kick in the a**, but lo and behold, ratings skyrocket.Then there’s the southern belle being sued by a former employee where she openly admitted to using the n-word. Sponsors and endorsements are dropping like flies as companies scurry to put as much distance between her and the profits.In both circumstances, the networks promptly denounced the offenders in an attempt to douse the flames. A ploy perhaps, something akin to the organization that touts itself an equal opportunity employer when it’s really just trying to save face.
Counter to these tribulations, stand the NFL and their adamant rationalization of a name and logo which are clearly racially motivated yet readily accepted, even hailed by some. It’s taken a concerted effort of lobbying on the part of proponents to a bill that would abolish the use of the term, but society has been duped into believing it’s a compliment so it’s “open to debate.”
If money is the root of all evil, then ignorance is the seed.
There’s no denying all of the behaviours as inexcusable, but why has the Redskins degradation and other such monikers been left to flourish, to become more tolerable? Discrimination masqueraded or in the closet is still discrimination. It seems what ultimately determines its indecency is how much people are willing to buy into it.
If the Redskins were to seize this opportunity to become the transcendental voice by opening tenders for a new name and logo exclusively from Native America, they may be pleasantly surprised to find an, albeit different, but more culturally sensitive depiction befitting the organization.
Of course it would mean letting their guard down and a giant leap of faith.
