Dem Opposed to Redskins' Name Will Only Refer to Team as 'XXXskins'

A Minnesota Democrat pressured the NFL to change the name of the Washington Redskins today in a press release that Dared Not Speak the Name of the Politically Incorrect Football Team:

Congresswoman [Betty] McCollum has joined with nine Members of Congress and more than 50 organizations in urging Mr. Dan Snyder, the owner of the NFL’s Washington XXXskins football team, to change his team’s racist name.  For decades, Native American leaders and tribal organizations have advocated for an end to the use of this derogatory and demeaning “brand”.  The NFL’s commitment to diversity states, “It is a cultural and organizational imperative about dignity, respect, inclusion and opportunity.”  Unfortunately, in the case of Native Americans it appears that the league’s organizational imperative is not about dignity or respect, but the exploitation of racist branding for profit.

In letters addressed to Owner Dan Snyder, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Fed Ex CEO Frederick Smith (the XXXskins main corporate sponsor), Congresswoman McCollum called on the executives to end their profiteering from this racist team name.

“It is shameful that Dan Snyder and the NFL continue to exploit for profit a racial slur that demeans millions of Native Americans,” said Congresswoman McCollum.  “This entire issue could end tomorrow with a simple decision by Mr. Snyder to change his football team’s name to any of a million different mascots that would offend no one.”

“It’s time for the NFL and the team’s corporate sponsors to wake up, respect cultural diversity, and join Native American leaders in urging Mr. Snyder to change his team’s racist name.”

The title and subject line of the press release also included the triple-X bleep.

For the record, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a member of the Chickasaw Nation and one of just two Native Americans serving in Congress, wants the team to change its name and signed on as a co-sponsor of the Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2013 in March — a bill that uses the full word “redskin.”

Freshman Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a member of the Cherokee Nation, is not a co-sponsor on the bill.

More: D.C. Rep: Big Majority Don’t Want to Change Redskins’ Name Because They Haven’t Been Educated Yet