Recently, the National Congress of American Indians created and spread a video protesting the use of the archaic and derogatory term “redskin” for the football team, the Washington Redskins. The video features members of the Aboriginal community defying the “caricature” that still persists and somehow seems to allow the use of such words to pass uncriticized by mainstream society. They’ve gained widespread support, including Washington’s mayor, on the matter.
This made me wonder about my own high school, Western Canada High School, where our school mascot/team name is the Western Redmen. As far as I’m aware, the term “redmen” does not hold the same offensive connotations as “redskin” does, however our team logo and the fact that the choice seems completely arbitrary in a school with little aboriginal representation or connection to First Nations. It also makes me wonder what the public reaction would be if our team were to be of a different colour with another caricature painted on the wall.
Western Canada is a fairly old high school; it’s part of the history and tradition the institution. It would end up being an extravagant venture financially to change all the logos in the gym and on clothes (although perhaps we could garner some corporate sponsorship if we considered changing it to “bull” instead of “men”?)
Is this oversensitive? I think that on this issue I have no say; whether or not something is offensive should be determined by the concerned group or person. Even if it is oversensitive, I don’t think it’s necessarily bad. Consider the recent controversy surrounding a chant during frosh week at SMU and all the chagrin it has rusted up (and rightfully so, I believe). Of course, we don’t want to fall into the trap of oversensitivity and censorship—opinions and dissent are important, but somehow I think that the names of sports teams or university spirit chants are hardly carrying important messages that would be compromised by changing a word. Or several.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRribtqdXGw
