The NFL’s Washington football team goes by the name “R*dskins,” yet the term discriminates against and marginalizes Native Americans.

The Oxford Dictionary defines R*dskin as a “dated offensive” term referring to “an American Indian.”

The term is considered racist by 67% of Native Americans polled in a prominent study conducted by the University of California San Bernardino.

Multiple studies have found that mascots like the Washington R*dskins have a direct effect on the self-esteem of Native American children and teenagers, whose suicide rate has increased by 65% in the last decade.

The term “r*dskins” was historically used to justify violence against Native Americans, and is “rooted in the commodification of native skin and body parts as bounties and trophies.”

The team name is not just offensive, it is a human rights violation, and its use should stop immediately. (See the Seattle Human Rights Commission’s resolution urging a name change and boycott here for additional details on the human rights at stake.)

Yet the team owner vows that he will NEVER change the name.

To convey the urgent need to change the team name, we ask you to boycott purchasing goods and services from the D.C. N.F.L. team sponsors, which include FedEx, Bank of America, Bud Light, Ameritel, Ticketmaster, and StubHub. 

Take action to show the team owner and the NFL that you support a name change, and that you are willing to put your money where your mouth is by boycotting team sponsors.