As chairman and CEO of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, I feel compelled to respond to the June 22 letter to Peninsula Voices, “Redskins history.”
It may seem to the writer that the “R” word is not derogatory or offensive to her personally, but to the hundreds of thousands of American Indians and Alaska Natives in this country who have experienced generational trauma over the color of their skin, the word is demeaning and offensive.
It continues a one-dimensional stereotype of Indians as raging warriors and represents the last vestiges of a time when such stereotypes were commonplace.
Although the Washington Redskins may be beloved to team fans, it is simply incorrect to imply that the team names or their mascots honor Native Americans.
It is not a matter of “political correctness,” but of respecting the dignity of an entire original ethnic people in America.
These mascot caricatures and team names perpetuate incorrect assumptions, racism and bigotry toward American Indians.
Today, the public should know that we — citizens of both Indian Country and the United States of America — have unique and diverse cultural identities that are much richer and deeper than the team mascots that pretend to portray us.
In 2013, we were delighted that the Port Townsend School District decided to eliminate its derogatory team name and replace it with the Redhawk mascot.
Although many alumni were upset that their beloved mascot was disappearing, over the past four years, the Redhawks mascot seems to have been fully embraced by the community.
For those of us in Indian Country, neither the financial nor the emotional attachment to a team name is reason enough to continue the use of a derogatory term to describe any sports team.
Our tribe works diligently to contribute to this community.
We urge the public to understand our views and stand with us against the use of team names that have a strong negative connotation for American Indians.
W. Ron Allen,
Blyn