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Way to Go Arlington County

5/19/2015

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We wrote to Arlington County and so did other citizens. They heard us. They passed the following resolution today:
May 19, 2015 – Arlington County Board

http://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/arlington-county-board-requests-redskins-name-change/


Resolution Commending the Washington NFL Football Team and Requesting a Name Change

WHEREAS, the Arlington County Board finds that for more than 80 years, the Washington Redskins football team has brought great pride and joy to the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, serving as an important symbolic and tangible representation of the values, achievement and unity of our region; and

WHEREAS, recent news reports suggest that the team may be seeking a new home, and is considering Virginia and such a move would be met with near-universal acclaim throughout Virginia, uniting a Commonwealth and its residents of all incomes and races, north and south, urban and rural, young and old, conservative and progressive; and

WHEREAS, the word “redskins” is objectionable to many Americans, Virginians and Arlingtonians who consider it to be a racist slur and derogatory, as demonstrated by the 1983 edition of the Random House Dictionary of the English Language Second Edition Unabridged which defines “redskin” to mean:  “Slang (often disparaging and offensive), A North American Indian; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution 43-01 adopted on January 9, 2002, by the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments found that “the term ‘Redskins’ is viewed by many sensitive and progressive-minded individuals as a demeaning and dehumanizing racist insult that embodies a history of degradation and slaughter;” and

WHEREAS, many sports teams – at the professional, collegiate and high school levels – have changed names that reference Native Americans in this derogatory manner; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, prominent Americans and organizations, including President Obama, the Anti-Defamation League, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, the Council of the District of Columbia and many more, have urged changing the name because it is not a neutral term regardless of present day intent, and

WHEREAS, the “rebranding” of Washington’s professional football team need not result in economic loss, as evidenced by the successful rebranding in 1995 of Washington’s professional basketball team, when the team’s owner changed the team’s name from “Bullets” to “Wizards” because the name was associated with violence; and

WHEREAS, the current name offends many people, serves to divide us, diminishes our humanity, and when we do not stand up against it, can erode our integrity.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Arlington County Board commends the Washington NFL football team for their outstanding contribution to the Greater Washington metropolitan region and requests the team’s owners to change the name and be welcomed into our Commonwealth with a fresh start and a brand new name.



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Two State MD Delegates Take Bold Stand

5/3/2015

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In 2014, Maryland state Delegates Talmadge Branch of the city of Baltimore and C.T.Wilson of Charles County, MD introduced a resolution urging Dan Snyder, owner of the DC professional football team, to change the name. The resolution states:
WHEREAS, The term “r-dskins” has been associated with gruesome acts of genocide, is disparaging to those of Native American heritage, and is not befitting a professional football team with such a proud, honorable, and uplifting tradition, especially a team representing the nation’s capital and playing in Maryland, a State grounded in respect for the dignity of all individuals; and
WHEREAS, The unifying force of pride for our Washington, D.C., professional football team should not be undermined by the divisive nature of its name; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That, out of respect for the diverse heritage of this nation, the Washington metropolitan area, and the team’s passionate fans, the Maryland General Assembly urges the owners of the Washington, D.C., professional football franchise to change the name of the football team to a name that is not offensive to Native Americans or any other group;

The resolution did not make it out of the Rules Committee. But Rebrand WF will be working with sympathetic Maryland legislators to re-introduce this resolution during the next legsilative session. Please contact us through our webpage if you want to be part of this effort.
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    Author

    Josh Silver is one of the founders of RWF and is a life time fan that wants the name changed!

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