But I've heard Sambo used as a derogatory term. I've heard gay used in demeaning context. We've seen it in our movies, we've heard it in our music, in our books, we've seen it in the news.

I've never heard "Redskins" used as a derogatory term. Not in the movies, not in books, not in music, not in the news.

I can probably go up to the Dakotas and find several Native Americans up there that have never heard the term "porch monkey". Does that make it any less offensive? Of course not.

When using the term "redskin" to refer to Native Americans it IS derogatory.

Just because you personally haven't hear it that way doesn't change that.

As I said before most of us don't live in areas where there is a large population of Native Americans so we only hear the word "redskin" when referring to that football team that plays in DC.

However if you lived in the Dakotas, Montana or any other state where there are large populations of Native Americans and often racial tension between them and other races you would hear that word used in a totally different context.

You might hear things like "That store is run by a bunch of redskins".

"That girl is a redskin lover", referring to a white girl who dates Native Americans.

"Those redskins are a bunch of drunks".

How in the world can you say that is not derogatory??

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

This is like saying the Cleveland Indians should change their mascot because Native Americans find it offensive. Their mascot isn't doing anything that should be considered offensive. He looks authentic, proud, fierce, honorable. But because he's a "mascot" it's offensive?? I'm not buying it.

A local highschool deals with the same thing. They are the Indians. Their mascot does a war dance before the game, after every score, at half-time... someone said it was offensive to Native Americans & suggested they change their name & mascot.

It makes no sense.

I know some groups find all Native American macots offensive, however we are talking about the word "redskin" here, not indian, chief, etc. There is a HUGE difference between "redskin" and the rest. "Redskin" IS a racial slur.

Braves, Seminoles, Chiefs, Warriors, Blackhawks to me seem to more honor them than degrade them.

Zulus were brave warriors too. However if a professional team tried to name themselves the Zulus, had a mascot with the typical Zulu look (bone in nose, spear, etc), I would believe the NAACP would protest that.