You're one of those super-sensitive newbie parents, OP. Relax, or you'll have a fit before your child turns 18!

I'm not into team sports, and dislike American football. However, like many fans have explained, the term "Redskins" and the image are not meant to be derogatory but respectful. It's the idea of the warrior Indian chief. Is it an objectification of a human symbol, or a theft by non-Native Americans of a part of their identity? Sometimes you can take an argument too far and I believe it's the case here. Images/crests that strike respect in your adversary have been added to battle gear since before the Middle Ages. This is a continuation into sports teams.

My biggest concern would be that all this obsession doesn't make the teacher seem too bright. However, this situation will not damage your child for life.

Football, no matter how in/offensive the name of the team, does not belong in school. Ever. The time this teacher wastes discussing football could be better spent on so many educational things.

Much ado about nothing. The Redskins have to win for the song to be sung.

Redskins lost, guess no singing in class.

Speaking as a member of the Cherokee tribe I do not find the name offensive. Mainly because the image portrayed is a dignified representation and is not cartoonish. I've never been a big fan of the Cleveland Indian mascot representation, but to each his own. Perhaps it is because my family does not take everything seriously enough but my mixed family always had a great time playing up the Dallas Cowboy / Washington Redskin game. We always referred to ourselves are redskins within our families there is no shame in looking different and instead we have always been proud of our heritage.

A better use of time and resources would be for white people and native american groups who oppose the Redskins name to focus on the deplorable conditions of most of the reservations in this country, where native american indians didn't integrate so easily into the american culture and instead have serious problems. Take time to examine the alcoholism, poverty and suicide rate then come cry to me about a stupid football team name. In a way the names of sports teams actually beneficially keep native american presence in the American collective consciousness. How many people are actually familiar with the Potomac name being representative of the Patawomeck or how the tribe helped integrate their image with Stafford Virginia's high school? Redskins, Braves and Indians keep the images alive and relevant. Imagine if they were all Jets, Cougars and Panthers, the cultural influence would be lost.

I agree that the name is offensive but can you prevent a teacher from displaying the gear? I seriously doubt it... unless there's an official change made by the NFL or an official school board ban. This is an interesting excerpt from a letter written to a Redskins owner in 1972 by Edward Bennett Williams in opposition to the team's name:


"Since you continue not to believe that the term “Redskins” is not [sic] offensive to anyone, let me make this clear: The name “Redskins” is very offensive to me and shows little human interest or taste. I am a Comanche Indian from Oklahoma. Indians are having enough trouble trying to erase misconceptions about themselves without having to be hit in the face with it every day in the form of a football team or baseball team. If you think you are preserving our culture or your history, then may I suggest a change? To live up to your name, your team would field only two men to the opponents eleven. Your player’s wives would be required to face the men of the opposing team. After having lost every game in good faith, you would be required to remain in RFK stadium’s end zone for the rest of your life living off what the other teams had left you. (Which wouldn’t be much.) Since you would probably find this as distasteful as 300,000 Indians do, I would suggest a change in name. In sticking to your ethnic theme, I would suggest the Washington Niggers as a start.… This would start a fantastic trend in the league. We would soon be blessed with the San Fransisco [sic] Chinks, New York Jews, Dallas Wetbacks, Houston Greasers, and the Green Bay Crackers. Great, huh? Mr. Williams, these would be very offensive to many people, just as Redskins is offensive to myself and others. You can take a stand that would show you and the team as true believers in civil rights, or you can continue to carry a name that keeps alive a threatening stereotype to Indian people. People, Mr. Williams. We don’t want the Redskins!"


Source: http://spectator.org/articles/59677/hell-redskins

I did not have time to read all of the responses but I wanted to comment to the OP:

I was a 5th grader at Strathmore Elementary School in 1990. I clearly remember the entire school singing the specific "song of the month" every morning after the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements were read. In October/November, Hail to the Redskins was the song of the month. A recording of the song was played over the intercom and all the classes sang along. My teacher even placed a transparency of the lyrics on the overhead projector for us to follow we sang. That's how I learned the words to the song in the first place.... by singing it everyday for a month at school.

As a child, I was not aware that the name and mascot were offensive to Native Americans. Your child may not truly understand this either. Children form their beliefs, opinions and view of the world based on what we tell them. My husband and I have decided NOT to explain all of the political drama (as valid as it is) to our elementary aged son. He loves the Redskins, has jerseys and hats, and is a happy child. If he asks me about the name issue, I will explain it honestly. I just choose not to impose this issue on him. If and when then the Redskins change their name, we'll explain why they changed it and purchase all the new paraphernalia.

Have you asked your child what he or she thinks of the teacher's love of the Redskins? Is your child uncomfortable with the teacher's football enthusiasm? Do you think this football theme is the teacher's way of trying to connect with the kids in class?

Kind of an important question:

How is he/she AS A TEACHER? Is he/she intelligent, kind, creative, funny, engaging, motivated, etc etc? If he/she is all those things and more, get over it. I have no use for football, let alone the Redskins, but I DO very much have use for good, hard-working teachers who take care of my kids and show them love and respect. If he/she fits the bill, drop it.

I'm with OP. This would really bother me, too.

Lighten up lady!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I simply cannot believe this would cause so much anger. When my family moved to this area my DD was a die hard Steelers fan (nope, not from Pittsburgh). She was very nervous about her first day in a new middle school. Two teachers at her school had up Steelers signs or stickers hanging in the classroom and she immediately had something in common with someone. She felt likevshe belonged. Sports are a great way to have something outside of school in common with kids that maintains appropriate boundaries.

Steelers Nation! We are everywhere

Yes, there does seem to have been a diaspora from the shithole that spawned the Steelers.

Hey, here's a question - which star player from a crumbling industrial city would you rather have your daughter date: Ben "Rapist" Rothlisberger or Ray "Beater" Rice?

Anonymous wrote:I simply cannot believe this would cause so much anger. When my family moved to this area my DD was a die hard Steelers fan (nope, not from Pittsburgh). She was very nervous about her first day in a new middle school. Two teachers at her school had up Steelers signs or stickers hanging in the classroom and she immediately had something in common with someone. She felt likevshe belonged. Sports are a great way to have something outside of school in common with kids that maintains appropriate boundaries.

Steelers Nation! We are everywhere

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be ok with that for 4 reasons.
1. The racist background of the team
2. The redskins suck
3. We're eagles fans and I do not wish for my kids to song a division rivals song, which they probably wouldn't wanna do either
4.its not appropriate to have the teachers dad come to class to lead the kids on a song...not that that would happen often, but even 3-4 times a season is too much.

Besides dog fights are better than football.

I'm the pp. he paid his dues to society, and he did more to be forgiven than any other professional athlete that made mistakes. Unless he proves me wrong, I believe in 2nd chances, no matter of he's a eagle or a jet

Your most recent stellar athlete is on video saying he would " fight ever single ni66er" ... Deal with your own dirty laundry before you tell other teams how to act.

Yes, the teacher is fine. There is a way to connect with students outside of education. This is actually a great thing.

If you have issues personally with the team, their name.. whatever, deal with it at home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't be ok with that for 4 reasons.
1. The racist background of the team
2. The redskins suck
3. We're eagles fans and I do not wish for my kids to song a division rivals song, which they probably wouldn't wanna do either
4.its not appropriate to have the teachers dad come to class to lead the kids on a song...not that that would happen often, but even 3-4 times a season is too much.

Besides dog fights are better than football.

I'm the pp. he paid his dues to society, and he did more to be forgiven than any other professional athlete that made mistakes. Unless he proves me wrong, I believe in 2nd chances, no matter of he's a eagle or a jet