It’s rare that I’m shocked by survey results on topics of public opinion. But when we asked 1,500 Americans whether they feel that the NFL’s Washington Redskins should change their team name out of respect to Native Americans, I was truly surprised. Only about one-quarter (27%) of Americans feel the Redskins should change their name.
Perhaps even more surprising to me is that minorities feel the same way. Hispanics (33%) and Black/African-Americans (41%) are, in fact, more likely than Caucasians (23%) to feel the team should change their name out of respect to Native Americans; however, the majority of each of these ethnic groups ultimately feels that the name should not be changed.
Did Americans not hear about how, in May, 50 members of the U.S. Senate urged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to push for a name change, saying that the Redskins team name is a “racist slur”? Did they not see or hear about the very moving “Proud To Be” video (originally commissioned by the National Congress of American Indians) that ran as an anti-“Redskins” ad during the NBA Finals? Or just recently, when the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board – which is part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – ruled that the Redskins name is “disparaging to Native Americans” and promptly cancelled the team’s trademark registrations? Have Americans simply not been paying attention, or do they not care and consider sports tradition more important than doing the right thing? Some of both, it appears…
Of those who feel the Redskins team name should not be changed, 84% feel that the name is “part of NFL tradition, so it doesn’t feel right to change the Redskins name now”. More than three-quarters (78%) of this group also feel that the Redskins team name “honors Native Americans”. Hard to think people believe that, when Native Americans themselves don’t seem to feel that way. So I’m really hoping this is due to lack of awareness regarding Native Americans’ feelings on the matter.
On the flip-side, of those who feel the Redskins name should be changed, 89% believe that the name is “offensive to Native Americans”. Another 79% feel that by not changing the team name, team ownership is “more concerned about money than doing the right thing”.
Interestingly, just over half of all Americans (52%) agree that, in general, “if a slang term for a different race were used for a sports team, it would not be tolerated, so it should be no different for Native Americans”. And almost as many (48%) agree that “if Native Americans are offended by the Redskins name, it should be changed”. What gets me about the latter is that the majority of Americans (52%) then disagree that the Redskins name should be changed if it offends Native Americans. How is that ok? I just don’t think that sentiment would be the same if it were other races in this country that were being offended. Why should Native Americans be treated any differently? I guess it’s not entirely a lack of awareness issue after all.
If a U.S. sports team name was offensive to Hispanics or to African-Americans, do you think it should/would be changed? The NBA took swift action when L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling made racist comments…how is an NFL team projecting racist imagery through its team name any different, in your opinion?
Kornel Burnacz, Ph.D. says
July 9, 2014 at 8:51 amThe data could also show a disconnect between Congress (the 50 Senators), the DC bureaucracy (the US Patent Office) and the American populace. Maybe the US is swinging conservative…
Peter says
July 24, 2014 at 10:47 amKornel,
Can you elaborate a little?
Mark Rosoff says
July 12, 2014 at 8:44 pmAtlanta must stop the tomahawk chop first! The US Senate broke every treaty and is the absolute last group to throw stones. Change the name back to Braves from Redskins.
Fred says
July 13, 2014 at 1:34 pmMost of all prejudice is changed by personal experience which white America never has but instead get their stereotypes reinforced by pop culture
Second change that requires political action now only happens when there are enough votes to make it happen
Jim Schwab says
July 14, 2014 at 2:40 pmAmericans are rightly confused because they have learned to be skeptical of any talking points put out by either side. So when there’s a “study” cited by Obama/Holder administration supporting the fact that American Indians are offended they don’t believe it because they have been lied to all too often. And the other side will come up with their own “survey” from American Indians that says the opposite. So there isn’t even agreement that Redskins is even an offensive term, and if offensive to some what is the threshold by which we take action to change? 1%, 5%, 51%? Who is the judge that sets the offensive threshold limit?
Peter says
July 24, 2014 at 10:45 amHi Jim,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for taking time to share your thoughts. Since you raise the question, I suspect it’s worth mentioning that our survey was not commissioned by a third party. It was something we thought would be interesting as are all our posts.
Sabrina says
July 21, 2014 at 8:47 pmI feel that most of the problem with having this double standard is due to lack of knowledge. We have almost been erased from history books that are taught to kids and what is taught is so water down they never gets pass the 1800’s most just do not know better. Right now I am producing a TV show that I feel can at least HELP in the way that the “average” american sees Natives and also will educate them on what is going on now. We are so diverse but yet always lumped into one category. Please check out our fundraise for the TV show: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/native-america
Peter says
July 24, 2014 at 11:24 amSabrina,
Thanks for sharing. I think it’s often difficult for people who have always been in the majority to relate to a minority, which is why I have such a deep and abiding respect for our system of government, although like all forms of government it doesn’t always work as intended. Perhaps the characteristic I cherish most is the one where minorities (at least in theory) are not necessarily subjected to the will of the majority, that there are checks and balances in place to protect their rights.
As a republic of elected representatives rather than a straight democracy, our leaders are empowered to do what’s right and not just what the majority wants; however, that takes courage, something that is often found wanting in our elected officials.