This week, the Washington Post inserted itself into the controversy surrounding the name of the Washington professional football team in an audacious, self-serving, and disrespectful manner. Its poll purports to show that the vast majority of Native Americans are not offended by the team's name. But did it consult Native Americans and academic experts in designing and executing the poll? Can the Post be an ubiased referee, considering its relationship with the Washington football team, its business need to report on the team, and its receipt of the team's advertizing dollars? Was the poll journalism or the non-partial reporting of the news or self-promotion to curry favor with the team? And can a poll settle a controversy over a dictionary defined racial slur and attempt to settle Native Americans' struggle for their self-identity and cultural preservation? Does the Post have the right to posit that the poll could influence court cases against the name?
What about the unbiased conclusions of experts: the American Psychological Association released findings in 2005 calling for the permanent discontinuance of Native American mascots based on a large body of scientific research concluding that these mascots are harmful. Can you imagine the impact of mascots on Native American children. RWF has met Native American parents who must bring their kids to school and daily face the insult of the mascots and imagery.
The poll will create a perception that the matter is settled. Supporters of the name have been loudly asserting this. But the struggle will continue and the voice of Native Americans will not be silenced. See just one example of a proud people standing up and asserting who they are; this is a post from the Native American Journalists Association: http://www.naja.com/news/m.blog/509/naja-and-unity-respond-to-recent-washington-nfl-team-name-poll
RWF is a grassroots group of sports fans. We stand in strong solidarity with Native Americans in the quest to change the name.
What about the unbiased conclusions of experts: the American Psychological Association released findings in 2005 calling for the permanent discontinuance of Native American mascots based on a large body of scientific research concluding that these mascots are harmful. Can you imagine the impact of mascots on Native American children. RWF has met Native American parents who must bring their kids to school and daily face the insult of the mascots and imagery.
The poll will create a perception that the matter is settled. Supporters of the name have been loudly asserting this. But the struggle will continue and the voice of Native Americans will not be silenced. See just one example of a proud people standing up and asserting who they are; this is a post from the Native American Journalists Association: http://www.naja.com/news/m.blog/509/naja-and-unity-respond-to-recent-washington-nfl-team-name-poll
RWF is a grassroots group of sports fans. We stand in strong solidarity with Native Americans in the quest to change the name.
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