Roy Exum
Clarence Page, a syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune, went on something of a rant earlier this month when the noted writer pointed out that now the National Basketball League has ridded itself of alleged racist Los Angeles Clippers owner Don Sterling, the nation ought to renew the effort to change the name of the Washington Redskins.
“Washington Redskins’ owner Dan Snyder insults Native American Indians in public every day that he refuses to change the team’s name,” wrote the Chicago scribe and it got firebrand Senator Harry Reid all worked up to the point he got 50 senators to take time from their “very busy” agendas and send the Redskins’ owner a letter calling it a racial slur.
The owner, hardly amused, wrote a letter back, stating, “Our use of ‘Redskins’ as the name of our football team for more than 80 years has always been respectful of and shown reverence toward the proud legacy and traditions of Native Americans,” he wrote.
The Washington logo, the letter said, was designed by native Americans and Snyder thinks the whole thing is silly. Far better, so does an unnamed guy who wrote an hysterical letter to the Chicago columnist. I have had to “censor” his retort and leave out a paragraph or two in G-rated sensitivity to my gentle readers but here is what I feel is a marvelous reply not only to this particular situation but our hyper society in general:
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Dear Mr. Page...
Here are some other politically correctness to consider: I agree with our Native American population. I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward.
Let's ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns.
The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the 60's alive. Gone! It's offensive to us white folk.
The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men's lives.
I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.
Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children ... The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.
The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children!
The Cincinnati Reds promote downers and barbiturates. Wrong message to our children.
The Milwaukee Brewers – well, that goes without saying … wrong message to our children.
So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress loves!
Keep those cards and letters coming!
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Can you believe 50 senators wrote such a letter? Which means, never give any politician money!
royexum@aol.com