Anonymous wrote:On the one hand, the teacher shouldn't do this.

On the other hand, I agree with the PP that this is not the hill you want to die on.

What I would do is talk to my child. The discussion would be something like, "You've probably found out that Ms. X is a big fan of the Washington football team whose name is the Redskins. In this family, we believe that this is a bad name that makes Americans Indians feel mad and sad, and that people should stop using that name. However, other people don't believe that. That doesn't mean they're bad people. It just means that they have a different belief. When you're at school, the best thing to do is to keep our family's belief to yourself, for now. When you get older, you can decide for yourself whether to speak up about it or not."

(Actually I've had similar conversations with my kids about several subjects, starting with Santa Claus in pre-school.)

"Mad and sad"?

I personally hate everything about football and my kid isn't into it either, but the teacher is just showing his personality and enthusiasm and will be using this theme to liven up the school day. I wouldn't say a word. I am also extremely offended by the name Redskins and horrified that it is still used. But until the franchise changes its name what name is a fan supposed to use? I think the PP who suggested you talk to your child had the best advice. If you really feel you must say something, perhaps it could be along the lines of "I know you are a huge fan, and that you love the team, not the name, but if the conversation comes up with the kids about the name of the team, I hope you will present a fully balanced discussion of the name. We are personally offended by the name and feel it should be changed...." I think it's great if a teacher shows passion and its sweet he would bring his dad into his classroom--that shows he he loves his job and loves sharing it with his family!

Anonymous wrote:I think having the class sing their fight song is odd-- although only singing it after wins is classic DC football bandwagon behavior-- but I would just have a private conversation with my kid and leave it alone.

I wouldn't worry about the fight song singing. They'd actually have to win for that to happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell my kid that the Redskins issue is another example of liberals trying to force everybody to submit to their personal wishes and morality by coercion , intimidation and haranguing . I would tell them that liberals are like the slaveholders of old who apply abortion to the weakest among us to avoid the work of raising children the same as slaveholders avoided the work of the plantation .

I am seriously stuck on this analogy. When people object to the use of an offensive name, that's just like having an abortion because you do not want to be pregnant and give birth, which is just like a slaveholder owning a slave to pick cotton instead of paying an employee, because...?

It offends you maybe but that does not make it an "offensive name" per se.. it is an opinion. Most American Indians do not find it offensive, most people that find it offensive are not American Indian and don't have a drop of American Indian blood in their veins.

How do you know this?

Because there were multiple studies done, google it. There was market research done, because if it was found to be offensive among the Am. Indians that are represented by the Redskins logo, the ones that occupied this part of the nation ... there was an agreement the name would be changed. It was found that it was not deemed offensive, actually the logo (with 2 feather, not the headdress) was found to be respectful and honored their heritage.

Were any of these multiple studies not paid for by Dan Snyder?

And what do you think of this video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR-tbOxlhvE

I would definitely let it go. Potential downside is just not worth it

because if it was found NOT to be offensive among the Am. Indians that are represented by the Redskins logo

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would tell my kid that the Redskins issue is another example of liberals trying to force everybody to submit to their personal wishes and morality by coercion , intimidation and haranguing . I would tell them that liberals are like the slaveholders of old who apply abortion to the weakest among us to avoid the work of raising children the same as slaveholders avoided the work of the plantation .

I am seriously stuck on this analogy. When people object to the use of an offensive name, that's just like having an abortion because you do not want to be pregnant and give birth, which is just like a slaveholder owning a slave to pick cotton instead of paying an employee, because...?

It offends you maybe but that does not make it an "offensive name" per se.. it is an opinion. Most American Indians do not find it offensive, most people that find it offensive are not American Indian and don't have a drop of American Indian blood in their veins.

How do you know this?

Because there were multiple studies done, google it. There was market research done, because if it was found to be offensive among the Am. Indians that are represented by the Redskins logo, the ones that occupied this part of the nation ... there was an agreement the name would be changed. It was found that it was not deemed offensive, actually the logo (with 2 feather, not the headdress) was found to be respectful and honored their heritage.

99 percent of those who are now offended by the name were not offended three years ago. This is a relevantly recent revelation to most people, althought there has always been a small group pushing to change the name.

We need to remember that others will take longer to come around, especially if you grew up in DC and the team has been a big part of your life.

The team name will change. It's inevitable. I would talk to your kid and give your view, and give the teacher a year.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a redskins fan, but I see it as being a way a teacher can have non-profession/non-personal conversations with students. It's a way to connect with the kids now and then without it being about their grades or anything personal which might be considered creepy.

It's just football. It's a way to have conversations without being personal.

Yep. I personally am not a skins fan but it's fun for kids and they are the local team. The parents need to stfu and stop acting like white busybodies. If there was an American Indian in the class who objected (I seriously doubt that would ever happen since the song is "hail to the redskins" , that would be another issue.

I think having the class sing their fight song is odd-- although only singing it after wins is classic DC football bandwagon behavior-- but I would just have a private conversation with my kid and leave it alone.

I'm not a redskins fan, but I see it as being a way a teacher can have non-profession/non-personal conversations with students. It's a way to connect with the kids now and then without it being about their grades or anything personal which might be considered creepy.

It's just football. It's a way to have conversations without being personal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a English teacher who was distractingly gay. Like flitting all over the room , an exaggerated gay voice to the max. He would say "Ohhhh that's soo ribald" if the story was at all a romance. He loved vocabulary words , if someone was chewing gym he would implore him to "stop masticating" ( a play on masterbating) lol.

He was one of the best English teachers I ever had.

How is this relevant?

+1

And how is "stop masticating" a play on masturbating?

I don't get it either. Masticating is a fancy word for chewing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a English teacher who was distractingly gay. Like flitting all over the room , an exaggerated gay voice to the max. He would say "Ohhhh that's soo ribald" if the story was at all a romance. He loved vocabulary words , if someone was chewing gym he would implore him to "stop masticating" ( a play on masterbating) lol.

He was one of the best English teachers I ever had.

How is this relevant?

+1

And how is "stop masticating" a play on masturbating?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a English teacher who was distractingly gay. Like flitting all over the room , an exaggerated gay voice to the max. He would say "Ohhhh that's soo ribald" if the story was at all a romance. He loved vocabulary words , if someone was chewing gym he would implore him to "stop masticating" ( a play on masterbating) lol.

He was one of the best English teachers I ever had.

How is this relevant?

Trying to make people act the same way and believe the same things about every trivial thing makes for bad education.

Anonymous wrote:I had a English teacher who was distractingly gay. Like flitting all over the room , an exaggerated gay voice to the max. He would say "Ohhhh that's soo ribald" if the story was at all a romance. He loved vocabulary words , if someone was chewing gym he would implore him to "stop masticating" ( a play on masterbating) lol.

He was one of the best English teachers I ever had.

How is this relevant?