Preserve the former Washington Redskins logo and Native American Imagery. Rename: Warriors
Preserve the former Washington Redskins logo and Native American Imagery. Rename: Warriors
The Issue
Before I begin allow me to clarify, I am probably the furthest thing from Native American anyone can be. However, the color of my skin should not have anything to do with how you perceive my reasoning below, please allow me to be judged by the content of my character and the validity of my claims.
As of July 13th 2020, the Washington Redskins name and logo have been retired. Although many people believe that this is a win for social justice, and believe that the Washington Redskins name and logo is meant discriminate against and demean American Indians, it couldn't be further from the truth. People fail to recognize that a majority of Native Americans have a sense of pride when they see that logo, and believe it is a symbol of honor.
According to a poll conducted by the Washington Post in August of 2019, Native Americans were asked to describe how they felt about the name Redskins. "The survey presented respondents with more than 40 emotions and asked them to indicate whether each represented how they felt about the team’s name. The word picked most was “proud.”.
For those who don’t know, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel was born on the Blackfeet Reservation near Cut Bank Creek. He would grow up to be a career political leader, serving as a Chairman for the Blackfeet tribe, and from 1960-1964 served as the President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
After he'd moved to Washington DC and finished his service as President of the NCAI, he proposed designing a new helmet logo for the Redskins NFL team to better represent people of the "Red Nation". So in 1971 Walter “urged the Redskins... to change their logo from the burgundy and gold "R"". He created a new logo based upon a composite of Native American photographs, most prominently including the headshot of an early 20th century Blackfeet Chief: Two Guns White Calf. The same headshot used for the Indian head nickel, struck in United States Mint from 1913 to 1938.
Walter's goal was to gain more national recognition for the people he represented, and give them an image that Native Americans across the country could identify with. His son Lance Wetzel describes the logo his father created as"...a depiction of a real Native American... not a cartoon type character like the (MLB’s) Cleveland Indians.". Walters other son Don Wetzel Sr. said "in 2014 that his father's logo was not derogatory, but instead was "...something that represents the Red Nation in a positive way.”".
In addition to trying their best to honor the history of American Indians, the Washington Redskins organization created the "Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation" which "according to Blackfeet Tribal Councilwoman Cheryl Little Dog," worked to find out what "community needs the foundation might address.". and "As of September 2014 the Blackfeet Tribe has received tens of thousands of dollars of donations from the foundation, including school supplies, school football equipment and a passenger van..." also promising "...an additional contribution of playground equipment at some point in the future.".
Councilwoman Cheryl Little Dog descried the situation as "...a great blessing..." and went on to say. "I have no problem with the name, I never have. I'm actually proud to see a Native American on a helmet...".
Since the unveiling of the logo in 1972, the Washington Redskins have proudly worn it as a symbol of respect and honor for Native American tribes across the United States. Dr. Ken Ryan, an "economic development officer for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for both the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes, expressed admiration for Walter Wetzel’s accomplishments. “He brought Native people together, and when he did, all of the tribes in national tribal programs advanced,...Walter’s influences on all of the tribes of America... are far-reaching and profound because he was a profound leader.”". The Redskins were a very successful franchise in the later half of 20th century, being Super Bowl champions two times during the in the 1980s and once in the early 90's, and "...every time people looked at the Washington Redskins football helmet, they saw a person with a Native American profile on the shield on the side of the helmet, and that subliminally had an effect on those that were Native,”.
Throughout the logo's run as the image for the team, it has given many a sense of pride, knowing that they were being represented in a positive light in American Culture. Sadly today, the Redskins name and logo have been retired and the organization intends to stop using Native American imagery altogether. This is a great injustice to the representation of American Indians in modern culture and casts the great legacy of Walter Wetzel into oblivion. A man who dedicated his life to the betterment of his people, and the representation of the “Red Nation” in pop culture thrown away. with no sign of having any intended use for the future of the franchise. If the Redskins name must go, the team should at least keep the logo, the history, and the legacy of Walter Wetzel alive, by keeping with the theme of Native American imagery.
If the name must change, let it be the Warriors.
Sources:
50
The Issue
Before I begin allow me to clarify, I am probably the furthest thing from Native American anyone can be. However, the color of my skin should not have anything to do with how you perceive my reasoning below, please allow me to be judged by the content of my character and the validity of my claims.
As of July 13th 2020, the Washington Redskins name and logo have been retired. Although many people believe that this is a win for social justice, and believe that the Washington Redskins name and logo is meant discriminate against and demean American Indians, it couldn't be further from the truth. People fail to recognize that a majority of Native Americans have a sense of pride when they see that logo, and believe it is a symbol of honor.
According to a poll conducted by the Washington Post in August of 2019, Native Americans were asked to describe how they felt about the name Redskins. "The survey presented respondents with more than 40 emotions and asked them to indicate whether each represented how they felt about the team’s name. The word picked most was “proud.”.
For those who don’t know, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel was born on the Blackfeet Reservation near Cut Bank Creek. He would grow up to be a career political leader, serving as a Chairman for the Blackfeet tribe, and from 1960-1964 served as the President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
After he'd moved to Washington DC and finished his service as President of the NCAI, he proposed designing a new helmet logo for the Redskins NFL team to better represent people of the "Red Nation". So in 1971 Walter “urged the Redskins... to change their logo from the burgundy and gold "R"". He created a new logo based upon a composite of Native American photographs, most prominently including the headshot of an early 20th century Blackfeet Chief: Two Guns White Calf. The same headshot used for the Indian head nickel, struck in United States Mint from 1913 to 1938.
Walter's goal was to gain more national recognition for the people he represented, and give them an image that Native Americans across the country could identify with. His son Lance Wetzel describes the logo his father created as"...a depiction of a real Native American... not a cartoon type character like the (MLB’s) Cleveland Indians.". Walters other son Don Wetzel Sr. said "in 2014 that his father's logo was not derogatory, but instead was "...something that represents the Red Nation in a positive way.”".
In addition to trying their best to honor the history of American Indians, the Washington Redskins organization created the "Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation" which "according to Blackfeet Tribal Councilwoman Cheryl Little Dog," worked to find out what "community needs the foundation might address.". and "As of September 2014 the Blackfeet Tribe has received tens of thousands of dollars of donations from the foundation, including school supplies, school football equipment and a passenger van..." also promising "...an additional contribution of playground equipment at some point in the future.".
Councilwoman Cheryl Little Dog descried the situation as "...a great blessing..." and went on to say. "I have no problem with the name, I never have. I'm actually proud to see a Native American on a helmet...".
Since the unveiling of the logo in 1972, the Washington Redskins have proudly worn it as a symbol of respect and honor for Native American tribes across the United States. Dr. Ken Ryan, an "economic development officer for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for both the Sioux and Assiniboine tribes, expressed admiration for Walter Wetzel’s accomplishments. “He brought Native people together, and when he did, all of the tribes in national tribal programs advanced,...Walter’s influences on all of the tribes of America... are far-reaching and profound because he was a profound leader.”". The Redskins were a very successful franchise in the later half of 20th century, being Super Bowl champions two times during the in the 1980s and once in the early 90's, and "...every time people looked at the Washington Redskins football helmet, they saw a person with a Native American profile on the shield on the side of the helmet, and that subliminally had an effect on those that were Native,”.
Throughout the logo's run as the image for the team, it has given many a sense of pride, knowing that they were being represented in a positive light in American Culture. Sadly today, the Redskins name and logo have been retired and the organization intends to stop using Native American imagery altogether. This is a great injustice to the representation of American Indians in modern culture and casts the great legacy of Walter Wetzel into oblivion. A man who dedicated his life to the betterment of his people, and the representation of the “Red Nation” in pop culture thrown away. with no sign of having any intended use for the future of the franchise. If the Redskins name must go, the team should at least keep the logo, the history, and the legacy of Walter Wetzel alive, by keeping with the theme of Native American imagery.
If the name must change, let it be the Warriors.
Sources:
50
Supporter Voices
Petition created on July 14, 2020