The Native American Guardian Association (NAGA) is calling for the Washington Commanders to revert their name back to "Redskins," the name the team adopted in 1933 when it was based in Boston.
NAGA has launched a petition, which has garnered over 80,000 signatures, urging fans to support their cause and "reclaim the name 'Redskins'." The group argues that this move is necessary to preserve American history and protect the civil liberties of all Americans.
In their petition, NAGA emphasizes the historical significance of Native Americans in the founding of America, stating that Native American principles were incorporated into the US Constitution by the Founding Fathers. They argue that the name change is not a simple left or right issue, but rather a matter that transcends political boundaries and is rooted in the principles of the nation's founding.
NAGA has also sent a letter to the Commanders' leadership, including team owner Josh Harris, team president Jason Wright, and head coach Ron Rivera, formally requesting the team to restore its relationship with the American Indian community by changing their name back to "the Redskins." The letter asserts that eradicating the name "Redskins" while allowing players who do not honor the American flag to kneel during the national anthem is a contradiction that targets the Native American community and disregards their concerns.
The Commanders have not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.
The team's name change from the Redskins to the Washington Football Team and later to the Commanders was initiated by former team owner Daniel Snyder in 2020 amid racial unrest in the United States.
Snyder cited the distraction caused by the name and the desire for inclusivity as the reasons for the change. The Commanders name was officially adopted in 2022. However, team owner Josh Harris has indicated that a name change is not an immediate priority.
According to ESPN, a team must wait five years before rebranding, unless there is a change in ownership. As Harris recently took control of the team, it remains to be seen if this exception will apply.
The debate surrounding the Washington Commanders' name change reflects the ongoing tension between preserving history and addressing concerns of cultural sensitivity. As the Native American Guardian Association continues to advocate for the restoration of the "Redskins" name, the team's response and the broader public sentiment will shape the outcome of this contentious issue.
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