“In January of 2013, Washington Post columnist Mike Wise said only superstar quarterback Robert Griffin III could force the Redskins to change their name. Well sorry, Mike, but RGIII doesn’t seem to be on board with the cause.
“RGIII sent out a tweet today branding calls for a Redskins name change as the ‘tyranny of political correctness.'”
– Jonathan Wolfe, Opposing Views
Griffin tweeted, “In a land of freedom we are held hostage by the tyranny of political correctness.”
Evidently the series of tweets were sent out because of a DC Council proposal by council member David Grosso calling for the Redskins to change their name to the “Redtails,” the nickname of the Tuskegee Airmen.
People certainly have the right to be offended but they don’t have a right not to be offended.
The fact is that the name “Redskins” was meant to honor the former head coach, William “Lone Star” Dietz, who was an American Indian. The term “redskin” is a translation from native American languages of a term used by native Americans for themselves. The term entered popular usage via the novels of James Fenimore Cooper. In the early- to mid-nineteenth century the term was neutral, not pejorative, and indeed was often used in contexts in which whites spoke of Indians in positive terms.
I hope Griffin isn’t forced to retract his statements and, in fact, I hope he stands firm against the name change. If he does, he can end this silliness.