Redskins’ owner is losing battle
Sidwell Friends School has been shaped by the values of its Quaker founders, foremost among them the imperative “to show kindness and respect toward one another.” Because the school’s dress code forbids students from wearing clothing with messages or images that conflict with the school’s values, students were right to argue that apparel bearing the offensive name of Washington’s football team shouldn’t be allowed. Good for them in taking a principled stand, and good for the school’s administrators in agreeing.
Starting this fall, students at the private school won’t be allowed to wear clothing with the name or logo of the team. The rule change came after the upper school’s student government passed a resolution stating that the mascot of Washington’s National Football League team is offensive and antithetical to the values of the community.
Those who would discount the school’s move – and, to be sure, there was the predictable derision about political correctness – would do well to read the thoughtful resolution from the student government. It seems that an appearance at the school this year by Native American activist Gyasi Ross about the insult inherent in continued use of a racial slur as the team’s name prodded the discussion. “No matter our intent in wearing Washington Football Team apparel, as Gyasi Ross told us, its impact perpetuates stereotypes and takes the voice away from Native Americans in our society,” the resolution read.
More than a dozen schools across the country have discarded team names demeaning to Native Americans since the issue started getting heightened attention in 2013, and California has banned its public schools from using the name employed by Washington’s team. Washington team owner Daniel Snyder should take note of the fact he is losing the battle with America’s next generation. Eventually the team’s name will change.
This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Redskins’ owner is losing battle."