Shelby Mustain

If you’re a sports fan, there’s no doubt you’re familiar with this feeling: the game is tied, the home team is mere inches away from scoring a go-ahead touchdown, and you’re one of 30,000 people screaming at the top of your lungs, “Let’s go _______, let’s go!” Go ahead. Insert your favorite team’s name: Aggies, Razorbacks, Crimson Tide, Cowboys. Yeah, you know the feeling.

Now imagine your right as a sports fan to yell your team’s name or proudly display that moniker across your chest was being put into question. If this is the current case, you must be a Washington Redskins fan.

For years, the Redskins and other professional and collegiate sports teams have been scrutinized for their use of Native American-related nicknames: the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Chiefs, Florida State University Seminoles, and Atlanta Braves all carry such names. In 2008, the Arkansas State University athletic program, formerly known as the Indians, became the Red Wolves. The Redskins are just the most recent case of teams being asked to ditch their “racially and derogatory” team name.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, district law makers in Washington, D.C. called on the Redskins to change their name. The “Sense of the Council to Rename the Washington National Football Team Resolution of 2013” was first introduced in May. However, team owner Dan Snyder has no intention of changing the name of his football team.
But the question remains: should he?

Winners of three Super Bowl Championships, the Redskins are one of the most historic teams in major sports, but should history and branding come before the feelings of an entire ethnic group? Who’s to decide?
I’m glad it’s not up to me. That’s for sure.