Scribes take a stand over the racist overtones to the name the Redskins.
American journalist Peter King said he will no longer use the Washington NFL team’s nickname of the Redskins in any stories relating to them.
The respected scribe said it was possible to talk about players or issues surrounding the team without using the team-name which has in the past been criticised as a throwback to a by-gone era.
“I can do my job without using it, and I will,” wrote King in his column.
“My 2400-word story on Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and his unique approach to the read-option Thursday proved you can write about the team (insightfully, I hope) and not make a big deal about not using the nickname.”
Washington owner Dan Snyder has said in the past that while he owns the team he will never change the name to something less inflammatory.
“We’ll never change the name. It’s that simple. NEVER – you can use caps,” he said.
The team has faced other similar protests in past years with writers and advocates saying for the sake of cultural harmony the name needs to be changed.
However, King admits it will still be a battle to convince enough people and groups that matter to enact real change in the short term.
“Obviously, the team feels it isn’t a slur, and there are several prominent Native American leaders who agree,” King said.
“(But) some people, and some Native American organizations – such as the highly respected American Indian Movement – think the nickname is a slur.”
Fellow colleagues of King’s are joining him in making a stand and will also not feature the word Redskins in any of their stories.
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