In a disappointing move, the NFL and Britain agreed to have the Washington football team play one game and possibly two next year in London. RWF just sent an email to the Department for Culture, Media, and Sports via enquiries@culture.gov.uk. We encourage you to also send an email and tell the agency to ban the use of the name in advertising and marketing. See the text of our letter immediately below.
To Whom it May Concern:
I write on behalf of Rebrand Washington Football (RWF). We are a grass roots organization of fans that oppose the name of the Washington professional football team as offensive and a racial slur against Native Americans. We have gathered thousands of petition signatures against the name and will continue working with religous and secular organizations opposed to the name.
RWF is quite disappointed with the recent announcement by the National Football League that the Washington pro football team will play one game and possibly two in London next year. A team that has a racial slur as a name and a mascot must not receive international recognition until it changes its name.
I am sure that you are aware that the Washington football team lost a trademark case before a Federal judge. The team is appealing the decision. While the appeal is in process, it is particularly inappropriate to host the team and appear to implicitly endorse its trademark.
For more information about how and why the team's name is offensive, RWF invites you to watch a video on our webpage of a recent forum and watch a prominent Native American tribal rights attorney and a sports journalist explain why the name is offensive. Our website can be accessed via http://www.rebrandwf.org
Since the schedule has been announced and the possibilities of rescinding the invitation for Washington to play in London is remote, RWF asks you to ban the use of the name in public announcements and marketing of the NFL games in London next year. This action would be consistent with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sports' mission. Your website states that your agency is dedicated towards "creating a fairer and more equal society, including opening up marriage to same-sex couples." In this vein, your agency should make a strong statement against names that are racial slurs and use "Washington" instead of the name of the team when marketing the games next year. This would send a strong message to the team and viewers at the game and in the rest of the world. We also ask that your agency issue a statement indicating concerns with the name.RWF looks forward to your reply. We would be eager to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us at rebrandwf@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Josh Silver Co-Founder RWF
To Whom it May Concern:
I write on behalf of Rebrand Washington Football (RWF). We are a grass roots organization of fans that oppose the name of the Washington professional football team as offensive and a racial slur against Native Americans. We have gathered thousands of petition signatures against the name and will continue working with religous and secular organizations opposed to the name.
RWF is quite disappointed with the recent announcement by the National Football League that the Washington pro football team will play one game and possibly two in London next year. A team that has a racial slur as a name and a mascot must not receive international recognition until it changes its name.
I am sure that you are aware that the Washington football team lost a trademark case before a Federal judge. The team is appealing the decision. While the appeal is in process, it is particularly inappropriate to host the team and appear to implicitly endorse its trademark.
For more information about how and why the team's name is offensive, RWF invites you to watch a video on our webpage of a recent forum and watch a prominent Native American tribal rights attorney and a sports journalist explain why the name is offensive. Our website can be accessed via http://www.rebrandwf.org
Since the schedule has been announced and the possibilities of rescinding the invitation for Washington to play in London is remote, RWF asks you to ban the use of the name in public announcements and marketing of the NFL games in London next year. This action would be consistent with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sports' mission. Your website states that your agency is dedicated towards "creating a fairer and more equal society, including opening up marriage to same-sex couples." In this vein, your agency should make a strong statement against names that are racial slurs and use "Washington" instead of the name of the team when marketing the games next year. This would send a strong message to the team and viewers at the game and in the rest of the world. We also ask that your agency issue a statement indicating concerns with the name.RWF looks forward to your reply. We would be eager to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us at rebrandwf@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Josh Silver Co-Founder RWF
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