Politics & Government
Rep. McCollum Urges NFL's Redskins to Change Nickname
What do you think of the team's name? Tell us in the comments section below.
Story by Patch editor Kris Janisch
Congresswoman Betty McCollum, co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, last week announced her endorsement of the“Change the Mascot” campaign, which aims to change the name of the Washington Redskins.
The Oneida Indian Nation of New York initiated this campaign to urge the NFL and Redskins owner Dan Snyder to end its use of the team name.
Find out what's happening in Rosevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The NFL and its Washington franchise are promoting and profiting from an offensive, racist caricature of Native Americans that simply can’t be tolerated,” said McCollum, who represents Roseville in the U.S. House. “The Change the Mascot campaign has my full support. I hope football fans, the media, and all Americans send a strong message that Native Americans and their culture are to be respected and honored, not degraded.”
The congresswoman in May sent a letter to the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell, according to USA Today, called Redskins nickname “a unifying force that stands for strength, courage, pride and respect.”
Find out what's happening in Rosevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The team’s name “from its origin represented a positive meaning distinct from any disparagement that could be viewed in some other context,” according to USA Today, and was never “meant to denigrate Native Americans or offend any group.”
McCollum said the Oneida Indian Nation of New York should be commended for “standing up for the dignity” of Native Americans.
For updates and other information about the community, join us on Patch, Like us on Facebook and follow Roseville Patch on Twitter.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.