Washington Redskins to retire controversial team name following review

[Razgovory]

I don't understand why people called native Americans "red skins" in the first place.

[grumbler]

I liked the suggested Washington Red Tails - named after the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots in the US during WWII.

Actually that sounds really good to me.

There were a bunch of squadrons known as the "Red Tails," though, even if the Tuskegee Airmen have the most association with the name because of the movie.

Plus, the name seems too close to the existing, objectionable name, and would sound too PC to me for that reason.

If you want to honor African-American fighters, then "Washington Buffalos" might do it, named after the Buffalo Soldiers of the 1860s-WW2.  There were a lot more of them than there were Tuskegee Airmen.

[PDH]

Washington L'Enfants.

It would have about the same level of success as the present team.

[Tonitrus]

If you want to honor African-American fighters, then "Washington Buffalos" might do it, named after the Buffalo Soldiers of the 1860s-WW2.  There were a lot more of them than there were Tuskegee Airmen.

The Buffalo Bills might not like the potential confusion.. 

[FunkMonk]

The Washington Filibusters 

[Oexmelin]

I don't understand why people called native Americans "red skins" in the first place.

It's an interesting history. It seems to come from the interaction of French, English and Choctaw in the Mississippi Valley/Mobile Valley. The Choctaw (and perhaps the Chickasaws as well) used to use "Red men" for themselves, as people of war (red being the color of war - hence Baton Rouge). The French used "Red Men" following Choctaw diplomatic usage in negotiations of all kinds, which in turn filtered in official correspondence back to Versailles. The label certainly stuck, because the French and the English in the Carolinas themselves had begun to refer to themselves as "white men" vs the  "black men" they enslaved. Whether or not the Choctaw used "Red Men" in response to that earlier French (or English) practice is unclear. The usage eventually made its way up the Mississippi - including in translation into English in Kentucky. By the end of the 18th century, the word is making strong headway in the new United States. How red "men" became red "skins" in the US thereafter accompanies Indian removal, re-entering French from translation of American texts.

[Razgovory]

Thanks.

[Barrister]

I liked the suggested Washington Red Tails - named after the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots in the US during WWII.

Actually that sounds really good to me.

There were a bunch of squadrons known as the "Red Tails," though, even if the Tuskegee Airmen have the most association with the name because of the movie.

Plus, the name seems too close to the existing, objectionable name, and would sound too PC to me for that reason.

If you want to honor African-American fighters, then "Washington Buffalos" might do it, named after the Buffalo Soldiers of the 1860s-WW2.  There were a lot more of them than there were Tuskegee Airmen.

Well no - part of the appeal (says I as not at all a fan of the Washington DC Football club) is that it is close to the existing name, but springs from a far more PC source.

As mentioned, Washington Buffalos would seem to be a non-starter for a league with a team from Buffalo.

[grumbler]

If you want to honor African-American fighters, then "Washington Buffalos" might do it, named after the Buffalo Soldiers of the 1860s-WW2.  There were a lot more of them than there were Tuskegee Airmen.

The Buffalo Bills might not like the potential confusion.. 

No one has ever confused the Bills with the Colorado Buffalos.  And the Buffalo Bills are named after a guy, not an animal.

[Syt]

I seem to recall that the Buffalo Soldiers participated in the Indian Wars (like probably much of the military at the time). Would that be problematic?

[Crazy_Ivan80]

what about the "Washington Reskins" then?

[Syt]

I like the Red Tails suggestion. Alternatively, "Washington Swampers."

[Razgovory]

Pick a safe name like the Washington Hummingbirds or the Washington Rat-fuckers or the Washington Doppelgangers.  You know what nobody has ever done?  Name a football team after another football team.  They could be the Washington Detroit Lions.

[Admiral Yi]

I seem to recall that the Buffalo Soldiers participated in the Indian Wars (like probably much of the military at the time). Would that be problematic?

Not if Bob Marley sang about them. 

Red Tails is cute but Tuskegee is in Alabama.

I also don't get the logic of dropping an Indian themed name and picking up a black themed name.

[garbon]

Probably better if new name doesn't reference people of color even if meant respectfully.