Minneapolis City Council takes steps to ban offensive nickname from U of M stadium

[geardaddy]

http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2014/10/minneapolis-city-council-takes-steps-ban-offensive-nickname-u-m-stadium?utm_content=bufferf95c4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Minneapolis City Council took a pair of steps Friday to try to stop the use of the "Redskins" nickname when the NFL team from Washington, D.C. plays the Vikings at the University of Minnesota later this season.

One of the moves was symbolic: The council passed a resolution asking the team to change “the racist, offensive name of the Washington, D.C. football franchise.”

The other was more substantive: It directed the city attorney to research whether the city has legal authority under its civil rights law to enforce a ban on the use of the name and the team logo in TCF Bank Stadium on scoreboards, uniforms and other displays. The game is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Both passed unanimously and without comment.

The direction to the city attorney came a week after members of the Public Safety, Civil Rights and Emergency Management Committee heard from members of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media, who asked the city to take action.

The organization wants “to build some pride so we can take our children to a Vikings game or a Twins game when they are playing the Cleveland Indians,” said the coalition’s Clyde Bellecourt. He noted that the Washington team nickname is insulting and racist, and refers to the taking of evidence by whites to prove that they had killed Native Americans and claim bounties.

More at link.

Good for the City Council!

[MH1]

1. Since we're talking about the DC team, I have a proposed new name

"The Politicians"

When the DC team visits a city that doesn't want to use their offensive chosen name, substitute "The Politicians".




Anyone have a suggestion for a logo?

[Jackpine Radical]

2. The dollar sign?

[hifiguy]

3. Just a suggestion, but this works for me

[jmowreader]

16. This is all that comes to mind

[Dont call me Shirley]

4. Way to go! More shame on Dan Snyder. Keep up the public humiliation!

[Jenoch]

5. I wonder if the Minneapolis City Council

is going to ban the sale of Land O Lakes butter?

[KamaAina]

6. I fail to see how either the name Land O' Lakes or this image

is offensive in the way that the Washington team name is.

[Jenoch]

9. The term 'Redskins' is offensive.

I don't have a problem with the logo. I think the Cleveland Indians logo is offensive.

[Oktober]

13. Offensive to some...

Perception is not a declarative fact...

[cyberswede]

7. Is there something demeaning about Land O'Lakes butter?

The drawing of the Native American? The name isn't a slur.

[uppityperson]

8. How is "land o lakes" offensive?

[ncjustice80]

10. It has a stereotypical drawingbof a squaw in a submissive position.

It s deeply offenaive imo.

[MrsMatt]

11. Not nearly as offensive as using the word "squaw"

http://www.nativecircle.com/offensivewords.htm

[ncjustice80]

12. I know its offensive- the box is offensive and meant to depict that word.

[Brickbat]

14. You mean the one painted by an Ojibwe artist?

If tribal members were to protest it the way they do the Redskins name, I'm sure the city council would listen.

[ncjustice80]

15. Washingtons logo was also created by a natuve american.

It is still offensive.

[geardaddy]

17. Why don't you suggest it to them?