Rebirth of Racist Football Team Logo Sparks Controversy
The legacy of racial bias and discrimination by the Washington Commanders’ football team has resurfaced, sparking intense debate over a logo and name left in the dust after years of pressure to change.
Senator Daines’s Ultimatum
A white Republican U.S. Senator, Steve Daines, from Montana is the latest champion of the past logo’s revival, causing outrage in Indian Country and beyond. According to the AP, Daines vowed to block the Senate bill financing the revamp of decrepit RFK Stadium in Maryland, where the Commanders currently play, until representatives from the NFL and Commanders ensure they honor the "history" and "heritage" of the logo with input from the Wetzel family, including Walter’s son Don.
The original logo, once touted as a testament to Native American spirit and leadership, was rebranded, and by doing so, relegated Indigenous peoples further into marginalization. The revamp sought to erase harmful stereotypes perpetuating racism in sports culture, only now resurfacing decades later to spark anguish within Native communities.
Retrograde Representations and Indigenous Exclusion
Decades ago, Native American figures lent their talents to the Washington Redskins’ new logo in hopes of embracing a more culturally enriched representation, thinking that they had a meaningful role to play. As Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, a tribal chairman of the Blackfeet Nation, and Blackfeet Councilman Walter A. Buck, designed and worked on this logo, we might assume, at minimum, it would embody a sense of empowerment.
However, to many in Indigenous communities today, reviving this mascot is the culmination of institutionalized prejudices and a grave transgression on the part of Native representation. There is considerable anguish among members of Blackfeet Nation, who consider Daines’ gesture a disregard for their heritage. The current stalemate embodies the very prejudices our society deems too problematic to be eradicated within Native American life.
Hazy Family Division
When questioned about Walter Wetzel’s sons – Don and Brian – he only mentioned, his grandson, Ryan, emphasizing the divisiveness: Walter Wetzel’s family remained disunified on whether preserving the logo constituted a step in promoting unity within Native America, ultimately leaving no clear moral course.
Senator Daines and His Political Record
To gauge Daines’ priorities vis-à-vis Native Americans and the Indigenous causes he addresses might be problematic. He represents an area renowned for historical traumas that have crippled native communities. Historically and institutionally perpetuated against Native America as a whole and the Blackfeet Nation more specifically. Still, these efforts show a superficial inclination towards engagement.
Moreover, though Daines has fought various initiatives designed to address ongoing traumas, even his record isn’t altogether free of questions. He criticized the Biden Administration during the nomination for Deb Haaland’s appointment at the Department of Interior by claiming Deb Haaland did not consult them about his decisions despite the White House denying it, and they blocked her approval later.
To further illuminate matters, within the family is a notable divide within a family. We see from Everett Armstrong a Blackfeet Councilman with a legacy involving White Calf to recognize the descendants not consulted earlier are now keen to have "a seat at the table."
"Native American Schooling in General"
Notably the Board has recognized the connection between stereotypes based on people from our respective communities: the Board now also acknowledges they have experienced such stereotypes or have the influence of such and that children develop from these actions.
Additionally in this statement, the authors further highlight research on specific types of mental.
Author: fortune.com
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