The football team based in Washington D.C. is once again facing scrutiny over its name.
An organization known as the Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA) is urging the Washington Commanders to revert their name to the Redskins, garnering support for this renaming through a petition that has garnered over 90,000 signatures.
“We extend an invitation to all individuals across the United States to stand in defense of the honor of EACH AMERICAN, presently targeted in the perplexing culture battles of today,” the petition asserts.
“This ‘CRITICAL MOMENT’ accentuates the indisputable history of the NATIVE AMERICAN aiding in the ESTABLISHMENT OF AMERICA, with principles rooted in NATIVE AMERICAN beliefs incorporated by the FOUNDING FATHERS within the framework of the US Constitution. It is a defense of EVERY AMERICAN’s entitlement to the 1st and 14th Amendments, safeguarding them against the onslaught of cancel culture or ESG.”
“This matter transcends political divides within the United States; it traverses across the ideological spectrum, tracing back to the inception of our nation,” the statement underscores.
The open letter was directed to the leadership cohort of the Commanders, which includes the newly acquired owners Josh Harris and Magic Johnson, along with the head coach Ron Rivera.
“As the NFL franchise that represents the capital of our nation, you possess a unique opportunity to acknowledge the history and significance of the American Indian,” the letter proceeds.
NAGA, a non-profit organization led by a board comprising Native Americans, is committed to advocating for heightened awareness about Native American heritage, particularly within public educational institutions. They also champion a greater acknowledgment of Native American culture in mainstream platforms such as sports and other public arenas, according to their official website.
The former owner of the team, Dan Snyder, who faced significant pressure, undertook the task of changing the team’s name in 2020. Following this, during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the team was identified as the “Washington Football Team.” However, a new name, “Commanders,” was chosen for the 2022 season.
Recent reports suggest that the team might be considering another rebranding following its acquisition by the ownership consortium led by Harris. This move is largely seen as an effort to disassociate themselves from the tumultuous period marked by Snyder’s leadership.
This discourse reopens the ongoing dialogue about the name of the team, a subject that remains deeply rooted in historical and cultural sensitivities.
