Once woke, always woke.
That’s essentially the stance Washington Commanders President Jason Wright has taken on the possibility of the NFL team returning to the much-beloved Redskins nickname.
In an interview with 106.7 The Fan, Wright was adamant that the team calling itself the Washington Football Team for a long spell due to its haste to jettison the Redskins nickname — allegedly because Native American leaders called it racially insensitive — was not going back despite the desire of fans AND a petition being led by Native Americans compelling the team to do so.
“It is not being considered,” Wright told the radio station. “Period.”
Of course, as C.S. Lewis once said, “If you are on the wrong road progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road, and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”
Here’s an earlier report from WUSA on the issue:
The North Dakotoa-based nonprofit Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), is behind the petition and the Washington Commanders dismissed the organization as a “fake group.”
“We’re not a fake group. We’re tribal-enrolled members from tribes across the United States,” Eunice Davidson, the outraged co-founder and president of NAGA, told Fox News.
The petition has generated more than 129,000 signatures as of this writing, and they are not stopping anytime soon.
“We’re in it to win it,” NAGA co-founder and historian Andre Billeaudeaux told the network.
“The name ‘Redskins’ carries deep cultural, historical, and emotional significance, honoring the bravery, resilience, and warrior spirit associated with Native American culture,” the petition reads. “It was never intended as a derogatory or offensive term but as a symbol of respect and admiration. Changing the name abruptly disregards the positive legacy that the Redskins name has built over the years and disorients the passionate fans who have invested their emotions, time, and unwavering support in the team.”
“We believe that the name Redskins can be a catalyst for positive change, fostering understanding and appreciation for Native American heritage through community outreach, education, and collaboration,” the petition says, adding: “In light of the aforementioned reasons, we kindly request that you reconsider the name change and reinstate the name Redskins.”
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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