U.S. Patent office cancels Redskins trademark registration

[Neely2005]

U.S. Patent office cancels Redskins trademark registration:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/NFL/2014/06/18/21749026.html

[T-Bone]

One down, one to go:
468

[shayman]

One down, one to go:
468

One more to go. "Edmonton Eskimos."

[T-Bone]

One more to go. "Edmonton Eskimos."
I realized that after I responded. Correction: One down, two to go. That I know of.

[hugoagogo]

One more to go. "Edmonton Eskimos."

Just call us Esks then. Actually the term Eskimo traditionally refers to a wide range of peoples on multiple continents, not just the Inuit. I've never heard of an official protest by those that might, but I'd hate to see my team have to change its name. I guess the one thing working in our favour is our logo in no way reinforces what some might consider offensive. Unlike the Redskins and Braves.

[argonaut11xx]

People are too thin skinned these days....nothing wrong with any of the nicknames...and thats just this "honkys" opinion..and apparently the commish of the nfl as well.

Goodell spelled out the NFL's position.
"The Washington Redskins name has thus from its origin represented a positive meaning distinct from any disparagement that could be viewed in some other context," writes Goodell. "For the team's millions of fans and customers, who represent one of America's most ethnically and geographically diverse fan bases, the name is a unifying force that stands for strength, courage, pride and respect.

<address style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
</address>

[shayman]

People are too thin skinned these days....nothing wrong with any of the nicknames...and thats just this "honkys" opinion..and apparently the commish of the nfl as well.


The thing is, you don't get to decide if other people are offended or if your speech is offensive. It's not your call.

It took me a while to realize this growing up, but you should call people what they want to be called, not what you think they should be called.

[hugoagogo]

The thing is, you don't get to decide if other people are offended or if your speech is offensive. It's not your call.
It took me a while to realize this growing up, but you should call people what they want to be called, not what you think they should be called.

Gotta agree. As much as I love my football team, if they were ever approached by the community of people that are offended by the name, I know the club (especially a "community owned" one) would make every effort to do the right thing. It's not my call. But dammit, I don't wanna have to be called the GREENGOLDS :)

[argonaut11xx]

The "Politically" Correct CFL.
1) The Montreal "Trudeau's" (for Pierre)
2) The Ottawa "Trudeaus's" (for Justin) - It wouldnt be the CFL if we didnt have 2 teams with the same nickname
3) The Toronto "Layton's"
4) The Hamilton "Copp's"
5) The Winnipeg "Riel's"
6) The Saskatchewan "Tommy's"
7) The Edmonton "Stop The Oil Sand's"
8) The Calgary " No Pipelines"
9) The BC "Suzuki's"

Hell, why not re-name the Washington Redskins, the Washington "Baracks"

[ArgoRavi]

It doesn't have anything to do with political correctness; it has everything to do with basic respect.

[T-Bone]

http://youtu.be/AJKfs4ZnbNE

[LLB997]

eskimos, not even in the same league as redskins as far as offensive names go AINEC. The fighting irish name and logo and Blackhawks name and logo is more offensive imo. this is the issue here. where do we start, where do we end?? Canadiens? Canucks? Packers? Redblacks? Warriors?

[paulwoods13]

People are too thin skinned these days....nothing wrong with any of the nicknames...and thats just this "honkys" opinion..and apparently the commish of the nfl as well.

Goodell spelled out the NFL's position.
"The Washington Redskins name has thus from its origin represented a positive meaning distinct from any disparagement that could be viewed in some other context," writes Goodell. "For the team's millions of fans and customers, who represent one of America's most ethnically and geographically diverse fan bases, the name is a unifying force that stands for strength, courage, pride and respect.

<address style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
</address>

Thank you for reminding me why I once had you banned from my feed.

[argonaut11xx]

http://nfl.si.com/2014/01/31/roger-goodell-washington-redskins-name/

[T-Bone]

eskimos, not even in the same league as redskins as far as offensive names go AINEC. The fighting irish name and logo and Blackhawks name and logo is more offensive imo. this is the issue here. where do we start, where do we end?? Canadiens? Canucks? Packers? Redblacks? Warriors?
That is not the issue here. Do you seriously not understand the differences?


Gotta agree. As much as I love my football team, if they were ever approached by the community of people that are offended by the name, I know the club (especially a "community owned" one) would make every effort to do the right thing. It's not my call. But dammit, I don't wanna have to be called the GREENGOLDS :)
That is what it comes down to. If there are natives that are offended by the name like the case with the Washington Redskins then a change should be made. Like you said earlier there is nothing wrong with the logo so a new "E" name would correct the issue.

Washington Redskins fight could put pressure on Edmonton Eskimos (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/washington-redskins-fight-could-put-pressure-on-edmonton-eskimos-1.2680161)


Roger Goodell says ‘Nine of 10 Native Americans support the Redskins’ name’ (http://nfl.si.com/2014/01/31/roger-goodell-washington-redskins-name/[/url)
I wonder how much research Goodell did to come up with that stat. Ultimately, Washington can keep the name but the government has decided they are not going to protect it for them anymore. I'm sure they will be appealing the decision, which means the name and logo will still be protected until after the appeal is complete.

[D-Gap-Willie]

That is not the issue here. Do you seriously not understand the differences?



I'm sorry but that is, at least in part, the issue here, since a group of 'native Americans' have chosen to make the Washington Redskins their sole target. They have not targeted the Braves, the Indians, the Chiefs, the Eskimos, the Blackhawks or any others with 'racially' derived/derogatory names. Are those next ? Why have they chosen to target the Redskins ? The Indian's logo is far more demeaning. The Brave's tomahawk chop is extremely demeaning. Yet for some reason they have chosen the Redskins, whose name while derogatory in present usage, was invented by the native Americans themselves, and first translated by the French as peau-rouge.

For much of history, native Americans used the terms red skin and white skin freely, and not always with malice and hatred. Be that as it may, many in today's society deem the term to be derogatory and offensive. We have no idea of the size this group of "many", but we do know that they are highly vocal and have focussed their venom on the Redskins. In 1999, an almost identical trademark decision was rendered by the courts in the USA, but it was overturned on appeal shortly thereafter. In 2006, a new native American group initiated the present case. Will this decision also be overturned ?

The question is not whether the name is offensive or not - it is offensive to some people. The question is twofold. Is the offended group sincerely offended by the name, or only trying to establish a legal landmark to continue the campaign against any and all such names? Secondly, and equally important is whether the Redskins have used the name in an offensive and derogatory manner. Any other other comments ( thank you Mr Obama) serve to only politicise and sensationalise an already overblown story.

[shayman]

I'm sorry but that is, at least in part, the issue here, since a group of 'native Americans' have chosen to make the Washington Redskins their sole target. They have not targeted the Braves, the Indians, the Chiefs, the Eskimos, the Blackhawks or any others with 'racially' derived/derogatory names. Are those next ? Why have they chosen to target the Redskins ?

I would bet the other inappropriate names will change eventually. But "Redskins" is off-the-chart the worst. Directly calling out the colour of someone's skin? In 2014? Have we learned nothing from the civil rights movement in the past fifty years? I hope we are living in a more enlightened era now than when those teams were all named.

The Washington Redskins are hardly the only ones targeted. Lots of colleges have already changed their team names from "Indians" or "Redskins". for instance....

Stanford Indians (changed to Cardinal in 1972)
Dartmouth Indians (Big Green, 1974)
Siena Indians (Saints, 1988)
Miami (Ohio) Redskins (RedHawks, 1997)
Louisiana-Monroe Indians (Warhawks, 2006)
Arkansas State Indians (Red Wolves, 2008)

[Mulder]

That is what it comes down to. If there are natives that are offended by the name like the case with the Washington Redskins then a change should be made. Like you said earlier there is nothing wrong with the logo so a new "E" name would correct the issue.

Washington Redskins fight could put pressure on Edmonton Eskimos (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/washington-redskins-fight-could-put-pressure-on-edmonton-eskimos-1.2680161)


Correct the issue?

Welcome to a world where a very small minority get their way.

Inuit don't refer to themselves as Eskimos, & the Edmonton predates any racism surrounding the Inuit.
And unlike the term RedSkins, the term Eskimos actually has Inuit/native translations/origins.
So we have "snowshoe-netter" or "to make showshoes" - hardly offensive
Or as one Cree put it "It could have come from 'askamiciw'" Which means "Eater of Raw meat" For which, in Cree Text's this word is used alot to refer to other native populations, so I guess they were racists too. (there really isn't alot of documentation on the origins).

But hey, if we are going to bad the term "Eats Raw meat" time to ban the Ticat Chant too. I hear they love to eat em raw.

[Will]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>MT .<a href="https://twitter.com/strombo">@strombo</a>: W/ pressure mounting on Washington Football.... Will Cdns. apply equal pressure to Edmonton Football Club?&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23CFL&amp;src=hash">#CFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Esks&amp;src=hash">#Esks</a></p>&mdash; CFL News (@CFL_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL_News/statuses/479630704104312833">June 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[D-Gap-Willie]

I would bet the other inappropriate names will change eventually. But "Redskins" is off-the-chart the worst. Directly calling out the colour of someone's skin? In 2014? Have we learned nothing from the civil rights movement in the past fifty years? I hope we are living in a more enlightened era now than when those teams were all named.

The Washington Redskins are hardly the only ones targeted. Lots of colleges have already changed their team names from "Indians" or "Redskins". for instance....

Stanford Indians (changed to Cardinal in 1972)
Dartmouth Indians (Big Green, 1974)
Siena Indians (Saints, 1988)
Miami (Ohio) Redskins (RedHawks, 1997)
Louisiana-Monroe Indians (Warhawks, 2006)
Arkansas State Indians (Red Wolves, 2008)

Just for the record, I have been a Redskin fan since the 1950's, growing up in northern Virginia. I never thought of the name as being offensive until the court trademark decision of 1999. Nothing in the Redskin's operation has ever done anything to demean native Americans, but rather has glorified native Americans. I am aware of the many college name changes, particularly since i played for the William & Mary Indians, now the Tribe; these changes were largely brought about somewhat voluntarily. I say "somewhat", since there is always the background threat of "conform or you will be sterilized" which comes from the "the civil rights movement in the past fifty years" . Yes, we have indeed learned from the civil rights movement - just ask Donald Sterling.

As I said in my earlier post, redskin is a term invented by native Americans themselves, and has only recently come to be deemed offensive.

Being known by the color of your skin is for me no big deal. Living in China for 2 years, I was frequently addressed as " gwailo " which means white skin. For me, no problem - I have white skin.

[Mulder]

The perfect solution

http://media.zocle.com/files/5e188835b9ae583e575309622290c10c.jpg

[Will]

If attention turns to the Eskimo name then I ask this--is it up to us to decide that someone should be offended by a certain word? I'm certain whatever impact this may have on the Eskimo name will spell itself out in the coming weeks. There have been a few people chiming in, but who are to say what the Inuit may be thinking until they come out and say it en masse?

[shayman]

Yet for some reason they have chosen the Redskins, whose name while derogatory in present usage, was invented by the native Americans themselves, and first translated by the French as peau-rouge.

Here's another article on the origin of the word, from Esquire: "A 'REDSKIN' IS THE SCALPED HEAD OF A NATIVE AMERICAN, SOLD, LIKE A PELT, FOR CASH:"
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/true-redskins-meaning?

And another followup to those who dispute this meaning of the word -
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/redskin-name-update

[Argocister]

If attention turns to the Eskimo name then I ask this--.........

Can we call them the ROUGHRIDERS?
:D

[LLB997]

I'm sorry but that is, at least in part, the issue here, since a group of 'native Americans' have chosen to make the Washington Redskins their sole target. They have not targeted the Braves, the Indians, the Chiefs, the Eskimos, the Blackhawks or any others with 'racially' derived/derogatory names. Are those next ? Why have they chosen to target the Redskins ? The Indian's logo is far more demeaning. The Brave's tomahawk chop is extremely demeaning. Yet for some reason they have chosen the Redskins, whose name while derogatory in present usage, was invented by the native Americans themselves, and first translated by the French as peau-rouge.

For much of history, native Americans used the terms red skin and white skin freely, and not always with malice and hatred. Be that as it may, many in today's society deem the term to be derogatory and offensive. We have no idea of the size this group of "many", but we do know that they are highly vocal and have focussed their venom on the Redskins. In 1999, an almost identical trademark decision was rendered by the courts in the USA, but it was overturned on appeal shortly thereafter. In 2006, a new native American group initiated the present case. Will this decision also be overturned ?

The question is not whether the name is offensive or not - it is offensive to some people. The question is twofold. Is the offended group sincerely offended by the name, or only trying to establish a legal landmark to continue the campaign against any and all such names? Secondly, and equally important is whether the Redskins have used the name in an offensive and derogatory manner. Any other other comments ( thank you Mr Obama) serve to only politicise and sensationalise an already overblown story.

Glad to read that somebody understood my point. 1 name at a time. Redskins is by far the worst offender.

[argonaut11xx]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>MT .<a href="https://twitter.com/strombo">@strombo</a>: W/ pressure mounting on Washington Football.... Will Cdns. apply equal pressure to Edmonton Football Club?&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23CFL&amp;src=hash">#CFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Esks&amp;src=hash">#Esks</a></p>&mdash; CFL News (@CFL_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL_News/statuses/479630704104312833">June 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Seriously???...Strombo...oh my....(harder left than Ms Chow)

This is a debate that is going to go on for a long time....and in-spite of the fact i may be the MINORITY on this site,

in the REAL world, ....I'd suggest that there might be as many folks on my side as paulwoods- et all....<iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" style="display: none;"></iframe>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>&quot;Heeb&quot; is a registered trademark accepted for renewal by Obama's trademark office on April 18, 2014. Yet &quot;Washington Redskins&quot; was revoked.</p>&mdash; Todd Kincannon (@Todd__Kincannon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Todd__Kincannon/statuses/479515191256686593">June 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Uppity Negro, Dago Swagg, Stinky Gringo, FAG,

Like them or not, the US patent office has NO problem with these nicknames/names....

not saying any are good, or bad......

BUT...hmmmmm....

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/06/19/redskins-trademark-decision-is-offside

[D-Gap-Willie]

Here's another article on the origin of the word, from Esquire: "A 'REDSKIN' IS THE SCALPED HEAD OF A NATIVE AMERICAN, SOLD, LIKE A PELT, FOR CASH:"
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/true-redskins-meaning?

And another followup to those who dispute this meaning of the word -
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/news/redskin-name-update

You are right that this is one derived usage of the term which has been amplified in order to sensationalise the situation. However it is probably best not to put one's faith in the scholarly nature of Esquire which is in the business of selling magazines. On the other hand, Ives Goddard of the Smithsonian Institution, a linguist who has researched the name in depth, quite disagrees with you. He sources the name from usage by the native Americans themselves, at a much earlier date than given in Esquire:
http://anthropology.si.edu/goddard/redskin.pdf
http://anthropology.si.edu/goddard/redskin-examples.htm
.....or if you are not keen on reading scholarly materials, there is an adequate summary in the Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/18/curl-is-the-term-redskins-really-offensive/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

However, the issue is not about the origins of the term, but rather about whether the Redskins usage of the term is offensive to some. Obviously, it is offensive to some but we will never know the number in this group.


Glad to read that somebody understood my point. 1 name at a time. Redskins is by far the worst offender.
Yes, indeed "1 name at a time", but i disagree that "Redskins is by far the worst offender". I find the ghoulish, demeaning cartoon logo of the Cleveland Indians to be more offensive, as is the Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop. Eventually they will all come to realize that they must "conform or be sterilized".

[Neely2005]

eskimos, not even in the same league as redskins as far as offensive names go AINEC. The fighting irish name and logo and Blackhawks name and logo is more offensive imo. this is the issue here. where do we start, where do we end?? Canadiens? Canucks? Packers? Redblacks? Warriors?

How is Black Hawks worse? He was a Native leader:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk_(Sauk_leader)

EDIT:

This article explains the differences well:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/nfls-redskins-days-are-numbered-are-the-nhls-blackhawks-next/

[shayman]

On the other hand, Ives Goddard of the Smithsonian Institution, a linguist who has researched the name in depth, quite disagrees with you. He sources the name from usage by the native Americans themselves, at a much earlier date than given in Esquire:
http://anthropology.si.edu/goddard/redskin.pdf
http://anthropology.si.edu/goddard/redskin-examples.htm

On the other other hand, from the Esquire article, others at the Smithsonian see it differently. Word meanings can obviously change over time.


A few cited a study written by Smithsonian Institution senior linguist Ives Goddard that makes the case that the word did not begin as an insult.

But here is a quote from another member of the Smithsonian – Kevin Gover, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and director of the Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian:

“I’m really not that interested in where the word comes from,” Gover said. “I know how it was used. And it’s been used in a disparaging way for at least a couple of centuries. Up to and including the time I was growing up in Oklahoma.”

[D-Gap-Willie]

On the other other hand, from the Esquire article, others at the Smithsonian see it differently. Word meanings can obviously change over time.

If you actually read my post. you will see that we agree. I quote from my post "However, the issue is not about the origins of the term, but rather about whether the Redskins usage of the term is offensive to some. Obviously, it is offensive to some but we will never know the number in this group."

[Wobbler]

Please don't attempt to play the "My scholarship exceeds thine" card, D-Gap.

[D-Gap-Willie]

Please don't attempt to play the "My scholarship exceeds thine" card, D-Gap.


....... and how am I playing that card ? Shayman is debating my post when we, for the most part agree. Besides which, Esquire is not scholarship - just saying !

[shayman]

The Internet would be no fun if we were only allowed to argue with people who had different opinions than ourselves.

[D-Gap-Willie]

The Internet would be no fun if we were only allowed to argue with people who had different opinions than ourselves.
Agreed, but since a moderator has stepped in saying "don't", I shall desist.

[T-Bone]

Go Fund Yourself (http://southpark.cc.com/full-episodes/s18e01-go-fund-yourself)

[ArgoZ]

Go Fund Yourself (http://southpark.cc.com/full-episodes/s18e01-go-fund-yourself)

There are a lot more social issues that concern me than pro sports names, but you can always turn to South Park to have fun with current issues. Great for a laugh.

[T-Bone]

There are a lot more social issues that concern me than pro sports names,
Same here. Many of them are a lot more complex and the solution nowhere near as simple as with this one.


but you can always turn to South Park to have fun with current issues. Great for a laugh.
I think they do a great job of pointing out the obsurdity of many issues.


Here's a recent piece from The Daily Show:


http://youtu.be/loK2DRBnk24

[Neely2005]

Anti-Redskins Ad Powerful, Compares Name To Other Racial Slurs (Video):

http://nesn.com/2014/10/anti-redskins-ad-powerful-compares-name-to-other-racial-slurs-video/

[T-Bone]

Redskins face anti-nickname protest as team sues Native Americans (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/redskins-face-anti-nickname-protest-as-team-sues-native-americans/)


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Racist Eagles fan proves using a Native Mascot &amp; Slur as a team name is a threat to Native Americans. <a href="http://t.co/zAhQxEqljm">pic.twitter.com/zAhQxEqljm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/changethename?src=hash">#changethename</a></p>&mdash; Yo-G (@TheRealYoG) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealYoG/status/529110420116602880">November 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[1argoholic]

Call the team The Washington Natives and keep the logo and all of a sudden Native Americans will all be buying jersey's and wearing them proudly. The world all of a sudden has become way too touchy.
People from China are no longer Oriental but Asian. If you're from India you're not East Indian but Indian. Yet I can be called Whitey and that's ok. What a pack of BS.

[argonaut11xx]

Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

[T-Bone]

Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.
Something children are told to try and help them deal with teasing but we all know words can cut like a knife.



EDIT: After I wrote that I decided to look up where I had heard the phrase "Words can cut like a knife." This is what I found:


Proverbs 12:18 - The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12:18)

[1argoholic]

I'll have to mention that proverb to Finn today at the game. haha.

[Double Dare]

I'll have to mention that proverb to Finn today at the game. haha. Have fun with that Whitey!