<![CDATA[British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name]]>British Parliament Members Write Letter to Roger Goodell Regarding Redskins Name By Adam Wells, Featured Columnist Feb 24, 2016

Use your โ† โ†’ (arrow) keys to browse more stories
hi-res-55bef033384eee44c38a43abee88c953_
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
26.3K
Reads

The NFL has been handed another stern request to change Washington's team name from the Redskins.

Per a Wednesday report by Mike Wise of The Undefeated (viaESPN.com), two members of British Parliament, Ruth Smeeth and Ian Austin, sent a "strongly worded letter" to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell urging him to "at the minimum, send a different team to our country to represent the sport, one that does not promote a racial slur."

Ideally, per the letter that was dated Feb. 2, Goodell and the NFL would change the team's nickname: "The exportation of this racial slur to the U.K. this autumn, when the Washington team is due to play, directly contravenes the values that many in Britain have worked so hard to instill."

Smeeth expanded on her thoughts from the letter, telling Wise in a phone interview she and Austin are "quite clear that sport is a vehicle for cultural change and celebration of what's best about society rather than hate and division. That's why bringing in new racial slurs to Britain is unacceptable. This is not the way we would want Native Americans introduced to our country."

Wise added that Smeeth and Austin were among the group from Parliament who met with members of the Change the Mascot campaign last month, and "no nation has stricter anti-racism laws in sports, due in part to disturbing incidents encountered by black soccer players over the years, including having banana peels and monkey chants hurled at them during matches."

In addition to the letter from Smeeth and Austin, Wise noted Wembley Stadium has "its own anti-racism charter, including the banishment of 'racial, homophobic or discriminatory abuse, chanting or harassment.'"

A Wembley spokesperson told Wise that "the issue over Washington's name is now being discussed internally."

Washington is scheduled to take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium in London on Oct. 30. NFL Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy told Wise in an email that "a team's name is a club decision. We recognize there are strong views on both sides of this."

Washington owner Dan Snyder said in 2014 the team's nickname is a term of honor and respect, and he has no plans to change it. Last year, a federal judge ordered the team's trademark registration be cancelled on grounds that the nickname may be derogatory to Native Americans. t

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/39685/british-parliament-members-don-t-approve-of-the-washington-redskins-nameRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 05:57:55 GMTFri, 26 Feb 2016 13:51:44 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:56:18 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

So.... you've been at troll-school the past few days?

You seem to be the one hiding under a fucking bridge.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582782https://brownsboard.com/post/582782Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:56:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:09:37 GMT]]>Have to wait and see gftChris. Hope you're right, but is an easy target for London media. Got my ticket for that one, though my sister has selfishly decided to get married the day before!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582755https://brownsboard.com/post/582755Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:09:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:52:36 GMT]]>

@london-bengal said:

Definitely think members of the British Parliament need to stay out of this one, but no chance of that happening when there are loads of minority communities in London and the opportunity to promote oneself is just too tempting. This story will only get bigger in the UK am sure once season is underway.

I think it's a non-starter over here. Murdoch media won't care. It might pop up in the guardian.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582702https://brownsboard.com/post/582702Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:52:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:49:13 GMT]]>Definitely think members of the British Parliament need to stay out of this one, but no chance of that happening when there are loads of minority communities in London and the opportunity to promote oneself is just too tempting. This story will only get bigger in the UK am sure once season is underway.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582701https://brownsboard.com/post/582701Wed, 02 Mar 2016 09:49:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Tue, 01 Mar 2016 22:53:34 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

We have an NFL team essentially called the Blackskins: The Cleveland Browns. Named after Joe "the Brown(skinned) Bomber" Louis.

So.... you've been at troll-school the past few days?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582609https://brownsboard.com/post/582609Tue, 01 Mar 2016 22:53:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:22:25 GMT]]>

@the-gipper said:

The British/Americans won that war FYI

Totally aware of that. It was in reference to having to fight the "redskins" some time ago. And we were British colonists, not quite modern day post revolutionary Americans. ๐Ÿ˜

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582575https://brownsboard.com/post/582575Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:22:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:21:45 GMT]]>

@canton-dawg said:

As a person of Native American descent, I don't find the name "redskin" endearing but I'm not really offended by it either.

However, to put things into perspective lets turn the tables and call them the Washington Blackskins.

Then we can see how fast that name would change.

We have an NFL team essentially called the Blackskins: The Cleveland Browns. Named after Joe "the Brown(skinned) Bomber" Louis.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582574https://brownsboard.com/post/582574Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:21:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:16:16 GMT]]>

@texasag1969 said:

French and Indian war still stings much? ๐Ÿ˜

The British/Americans won that war FYI

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/582571https://brownsboard.com/post/582571Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:16:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 23:16:48 GMT]]>

@oldbrownsfan said:

I remember those anti littering commercials and I thought they were very well done and made a great point.

That they did, but this one was much, much cooler...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581970https://brownsboard.com/post/581970Sun, 28 Feb 2016 23:16:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 20:36:37 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

Of course it turned out that "Iron Eyes Cody" was an Italian immigrant actor named Espera Oscar de Corti...

I remember those anti littering commercials and I thought they were very well done and made a great point. What surprises me is I thought the American Indian in those commercials was genuine and had no idea he might be someone of Italian descent who identified as being American Indian. If true it puts me in mind of the white woman who pretended to be black and was head of a local NAACP and said she identified as being black.

*Although the public who knew him from the movies and television thought of Cody as an American Indian, a 1996 story by The Times-Picayune in New Orleans questioned his heritage, reporting that he was a second-generation Italian-American. This was based on an interview with his half-sister, and documents including a baptismal record. Cody denied the claim.[2][3]

Cody died on January 4, 1999, at age 94.[2]

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581946https://brownsboard.com/post/581946Sun, 28 Feb 2016 20:36:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 20:16:42 GMT]]>

@flugel said:

First, what is the opposite of progress? Congress.

I never thought of it that way, but you make a valid point.

Regress? Digress? Fits in with Congress.

Coincidence....I don't think so!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581943https://brownsboard.com/post/581943Sun, 28 Feb 2016 20:16:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:22:30 GMT]]>The Washington Scalpers? No?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581937https://brownsboard.com/post/581937Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:22:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:50:32 GMT]]>I got an idea since it's Washington DC.

First, what is the opposite of progress? Congress.

Change the name of the team Snyder has devoured over the years to Congress.

Then change the logo to a spear facing a rifle.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581904https://brownsboard.com/post/581904Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:50:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:44:39 GMT]]>You're welcome... everyone needs a wingman now and then..

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581897https://brownsboard.com/post/581897Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:44:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:39:36 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

Of course it turned out that "Iron Eyes Cody" was an Italian immigrant actor named Espera Oscar de Corti...

Well done- thanks!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581895https://brownsboard.com/post/581895Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:39:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:36:24 GMT]]>Of course it turned out that "Iron Eyes Cody" was an Italian immigrant actor named Espera Oscar de Corti...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581892https://brownsboard.com/post/581892Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:36:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:07:12 GMT]]>

@oldbrownsfan said:

Even though the name Washington Redskins originated in 1933 which seems like a long time ago if you google search racial stereotypes in the 1930's I was stunned at the blatant open racism that existed during that time which was in cartoons, movies, toy products, commercials etc... So that name being coined in the 30's doesn't hold so much water as an argument as to why we should keep it.

My reason for wanting to keep the name was I believe that name was to honor the Indians as most mascot names are used to honor their schools. Let the people whose name is being used here decide it. If there are a large number of people of Indian descent who find the name offensive then get rid of it.

I remember as a kid, there was a commercial "Help Keep American Beautiful - Don't Litter." What happened in the commercial was a car was driving by an Indian on the side of the road and threw a bunch of litter at his feet. He had a tear going down his cheek with a look that said - I can't believe how many of my ancestors/relatives died fighting to keep and preserve our land from this complete lack of appreciation. Powerful message.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581881https://brownsboard.com/post/581881Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:07:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 13:18:17 GMT]]>Even though the name Washington Redskins originated in 1933 which seems like a long time ago if you google search racial stereotypes in the 1930's I was stunned at the blatant open racism that existed during that time which was in cartoons, movies, toy products, commercials etc... So that name being coined in the 30's doesn't hold so much water as an argument as to why we should keep it.

My reason for wanting to keep the name was I believe that name was to honor the Indians as most mascot names are used to honor their schools. Let the people whose name is being used here decide it. If there are a large number of people of Indian descent who find the name offensive then get rid of it.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581870https://brownsboard.com/post/581870Sun, 28 Feb 2016 13:18:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 12:46:56 GMT]]>

@wargograw said:

That's cute. Theyve had the name since 1933.

And how long has political correctness been around?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581868https://brownsboard.com/post/581868Sun, 28 Feb 2016 12:46:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sun, 28 Feb 2016 06:11:56 GMT]]>

@canton-dawg said:

Where have you been?

I'm not from the DC area, but there's been protests since the '80's about their name.

Here in Cleveland, there are protests on opening day for the Indians game since the '70's.

This is nothing new.

That's cute. Theyve had the name since 1933.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581861https://brownsboard.com/post/581861Sun, 28 Feb 2016 06:11:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sat, 27 Feb 2016 17:35:23 GMT]]>

@canton-dawg said:

Where have you been?

I'm not from the DC area, but there's been protests since the '80's about their name.

Here in Cleveland, there are protests on opening day for the Indians game since the '70's.

This is nothing new.

I am from the DC area and still live 10 minutes outside the city. This is not a big deal down here. The only outrage I've seen has been in the media. Not saying people shouldn't be offended, I don't care about the name one way or another, I'm just saying I haven't seen any of these protests or heard anyone argue against the name here.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581779https://brownsboard.com/post/581779Sat, 27 Feb 2016 17:35:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sat, 27 Feb 2016 16:45:05 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

Says Mr. Know-it-all... ๐Ÿ˜‰

I've got AG pegged more like Dudley Do-Right!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581772https://brownsboard.com/post/581772Sat, 27 Feb 2016 16:45:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sat, 27 Feb 2016 15:31:45 GMT]]>Posted Today, 09:55 AM

TexasAg1969, on 27 Feb 2016 - 08:46 AM, said:snapback.png

@texasag1969 said:

I think the

Richmond Flying Squirrels

gives Rocky a bad rap. ๐Ÿ˜†

Says Mr. Know-it-all... ๐Ÿ˜‰

***************************************************************************

I've always favored Rocky and Bullwinkle as my favorite

cartoons ever.

Now I'm offended. Need to sue Richmond for $$$$$$. Nobody mocks Rocky.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581761https://brownsboard.com/post/581761Sat, 27 Feb 2016 15:31:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to British Parliament Members don't approve of the Washington Redskins Name on Sat, 27 Feb 2016 13:59:03 GMT]]>We should call people what they want to be called just to be respectful. They need to do some polling and find out if this is just an issue being pushed by a small minority or if there is a lot of support for changing the name among Indian people. I just would not like to see it be done because of a small vocal minority.

What Canton Dawg posted makes me want to take another look at it because if it is genuinely offensive then we need to find a better name. i had resisted the name change before because as a sports fan I know we don't have mascots to make fun of but to rally around and the intent of the name Redskins was one of honor.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/581738https://brownsboard.com/post/581738Sat, 27 Feb 2016 13:59:03 GMT