Redux: Offensive Mascots

I've always thought the name "Redskins" was offensive but now that I know the root of the name, I'm convinced that Redskins should never be used for any team mascot.

I'm not sure how the Redskins got their name, but here is what the term
means....Back not so long ago, when there was a bounty on the heads of the Indian people...the trappers would bring in Indian scalps along with the other skins that they had managed to trap or shoot. These scalps brought varying prices as did the skins of the animals. The trappers would tell the trading post owner or whoever it was that he was dealing with, that he had 2 bearskins, a couple of beaver skins...and a few scalps. Well, the term "scalp" offended the good Christian women of the community and they asked that another term be found to describe these things. So, the trappers and hunters began using the term "redskin"...they would tell the owner that they had bearskin, deer skins....and "redskins." The term came from the bloody mess that one saw when looking at the scalp...thus the term "red"...skin because it was the "skin" of an "animal" just like the others that they had...so, it became "redskins".

 

4 Responses to Redux: Offensive Mascots

  1. Black Wombmyn Chat Says:
    Awful. Did not know that.
  2. Dell Gines Says:
    That is the thing, these mascot issues should be decided on a case by case basis. The NCAA is being really dumb, by making blanket statements, when some tribes actually appreciate the usage in their area.

    Redskins prolly should go.
  3. James Manning Says:
    I'm all for banning Redskins. I think the mascot in Cleveland should go as well. The NCAA is a fraud organization and I may have to post on them one day. However, I agree with their intent even if they way they are going about it is wrong - which is usually the case the NCAA.
  4. Anonymous Says:
    Disgusting and degrading...haven't Native Americans been through enough?