Here is an e-mail sent to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune after an article he published concerning a name change for the Washington Redskins.
Dear Mr. Page: I agree with our Native American population. I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward.
Let’s ditch the Kansas City Chiefs, the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians. If your shorts are in a wad because of the reference the name Redskins makes to skin color, then we need to get rid of the Cleveland Browns.
The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the 60’s alive. Gone. It’s offensive to us white folk.
The New York Yankees offend the Southern population. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many young men’s lives.
I am also offended by the blatant references to the Catholic religion among our sports team names. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.
Then there are the team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!
Now, let us address those teams that clearly send the wrong message to our children. The San Diego Chargers promote irresponsible fighting or even spending habits. Wrong message to our children.
The New York Giants and the San Francisco Giants promote obesity, a growing childhood epidemic. Wrong message to our children.
The Cincinnati Reds promote downers/barbiturates. Wrong message to our children.
The Milwaukee Brewers. Well that goes without saying. Wrong message to our children.
So, there you go. We need to support any legislation that comes out to rectify this travesty, because the government will likely become involved with this issue, as they should. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress loves.
As a diehard Oregon State fan, my wife and I, with all of this in mind, suggest it might also make some sense to change the name of the Oregon State women’s athletic teams to something other than “the Beavers (especially when they play Southern California). Do we really want the Trojans sticking it to the Beavers???
I always love your articles and I generally agree with them. As for the Redskins name I would suggest they change the name to the“Foreskins” to better represent their community, paying tribute to the dick heads in Congress.
I am laughing out load at work!! This is brilliant and shows how ridiculous we have become. And we do have many Richard Crainums in this country.
This sensitivity is asymmetrically approaching insanity.History reminds us that ,at this level of stupidity,Great civilizations can be vulnerable to extinction. Look out below! “ Rednecks”will increase their ranks if this silliness continues to proliferate.
I agree with this absurdity in the motion to change any name. History is still there! Asinine!!!!! Well put Jeff Chidester! I vote for you for President!
This country is lost it’s way… God only knows when he has had enough of our self destruction. He gave us a wonderful world… and it is being trampled by hate filled extremists. Its been a slow painful death to watch. The people we have elected have turned on us and joined in on the destruction of our country. They have rolled over to the demands of a hate group. God knows in my heart and soul I have never supported the countless injustices that are occurring at our present time. My hope is I may witness the political cowards that are committing genocide to our country’s history be held accountable for their complete incompetence by the voters in this country.
Brilliantly done. More relevant today than ever. Would you mind if I posted this, with appellation of course to Facebook.
Clarence Page being in Chicago must be a Blackhawks fan. They get a pass ?
Puck him !
Nice try , but typical conservative b.s. The name is offensive to native Americans and has been forever . Just change it .Simple , really. But apparently common decency is beyond your grasp . Moron .
Stupid, and some people thinned skinned. Wake up people. People who want these changes thinking they are protecting the minorities, but why now and not 100 yrs ago. Stupid.
I stopped reading Page’s columns about 23 years ago when he commented about & said he enjoyed movies made in India & to this day I amceratin only people IN INDIA can stand there silly/noisy flicks !
This is to show the power these evil people[Democrats/Marxists] have or want us to believe they have.If President Trump doesn’t win these fools will put us in gulag as the Black Lives Matter crowd studied under.
So come up with “better” names….I see the problem but no solution. One of my favorite bosses always said dont ever bring a problem without a solution! Plz get over yourself grow some balls and move on!
Maybe we’re looking at this all wrong? Maybe it isn’t the name at all. Maybe it’s the logo? Why not just change the logo to a potato?
Wow! A voice of reason at last! Thanks thanks thanks for shining a spotlight on a pendulum gone awry! (Still laughing!)
All this name change stuff because it hurts others . Well, how about the name district of columbia ? Columbia the word is associated with Christopher Columbus! He’s not a favorite with some crowds and I imagine people will get around to it . So will the us gov make a name change? I doubt it don,t you?
This is a great letter. laughed all the way thru it. Just shows how ridiculous things have gotten…thanks for your insight!!