Let it GO!

Sorry folks for the delay in posting. I know how eagerly you watch our blogs and wait for up dates but there is something exciting a brewing for the Marauder Athletics fan base....and it has been consuming our class' time!

Today's topic is an interesting one. Is an athletic team name offensive or an honor? This debate has been around for decades and constantly in and out of the courtroom. Just recently the US Court of Appeals in Washington upheld the decision that the Washington Redskins are not racist in name. They agreed upon a technicality that the group of American Indians were too young in 1967 when the Redskins first trademarked the name, and although they won a case in 1999 it's been a lot of loses and time appealing cases. The Sioux are going through the same legal battles I'm positive and numerous other teams too. But as is, these cases should have been brought up immediately in 1967 for the names to be changed. Right now the Redskins, for example, have invested millions and would suffer financial ruin if they lost the trademark rights to their name. I would hate to see the Ralph Engel tad building be destroyed as rumor has it if the Sioux are forced to change their name.

So the big question is, are athletic teams with names referencing the Native Americans truly offensive? Or are just a few people trying to get rich off their ancestry? Bad as that my sound I've heard that members of the Sioux nation want a percentage of the UND's profits for their own in trade for using their family name. I think we have become a sue happy nation and everyone is after the quick dollar. If someone can make thousands for spilling coffee on themselves, they why can't someone else get rich for sharing ancestry with a popular mascot?

In all fairness they might truly be offended at the name and the school or NFL, but seriously? What happened to the saying "any publicity is good publicity"? In my opinion these few Native Americans who are suing for the name rights should be honored that their people were chosen to represent large, highly public, and respected organizations. Especially after all these years! There is no way that the names of these teams will be changed. Too much money, time, advertising, and the goodwill that has built up within the organizations are gargantuan! These whole court cases need to be dropped and forgotten! I’m sorry, but you can’t win. The Redskins are here to stay. The Sioux are here to stay. This topic needs to be dropped and how about instead of throwing them under the bus, the Native Americans who are suing them, support these teams? Support them whole heartedly and grow from the experience of love and support from all races and ages and regions. Doesn’t that sound nice?