Across the Atlantic, team sports love Indian references: in the 20th century, many teams adopted names and mascots inspired by early American peoples. But this taste, for several years, has been accused of reinforcing stereotypes towards American Indians. The Redskins (“red skins”), the American football team from Washington, have been in particular in the crosshairs of many groups, who have won their cause: on Wednesday 2 February the owners announced a new name: the “Commanders of Washington”.
An old controversy
They were almost called the “President” , the “Sentinel” where the “Istrici”, just a few of the many suggestions from fans. But players in burgundy and gold will eventually be called the Commanders, in reference to the strong military presence in Washington, which is notably home to the Pentagon. This name “Embodies the values that define service and leadership” Washington area, ”said team owner Dan Snyder.
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With this name he finally turns the page of the Red Indians,term chosen in 1933 at the birth of the team, echoing the cliché of the proud and warrior Indian, if not ferocious, ready to do anything for his tribe. Many stereotypes denounced by Indian tribes, such as the Navajo nation, which described the name of the Washington team as “Racist and derogatory”.
There was no shortage of reactions to this announcement in the capital. Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomed the opening of a “New and necessary chapter”. The White House also reacted: “I think there is room for two ‘Commanders’ in this city”, had fun on Twitter Joe Biden, whose German Shepherd is also called Commander.
New pressures after George Floyd’s death
Though the pressures on the team were old, they grew after George Floyd’s death in 2020 in Minneapolis. A vast movement of anger has led part of society to reconsider some symbols, such as statues of Confederate generals, supporters of slavery or brand logos.
Sport has not escaped this large-scale movement. Last summer, the Cleveland Indians baseball team ended up changing their name, opting for that of “Guardians”. A year earlier, under pressure from its sponsors and despite the owner’s longtime reluctance, the Washington team had abandoned the name and logo.
While welcoming these decisions, the Native American National Congress, the leading organization of tribal nations, has called on the American football league to do so. “Responsible for damage caused by mascots and images” associated with Native Americans.
Mascots and names in the sights
In the XXe century, Indian names were very numerous in professional sport. Today, only the Atlanta Braves (baseball), Chicago Blackhawks (ice hockey) and Kansas City Chiefs (American football) still borrow Native American references. By renouncing to change their name, they nevertheless took some measures, such as the ban on coming to the stadium with a feathered headdress, a sacred ornament in Indian cultures.
But these references are still numerous in college or high school sports. According to the specialized site MascotDB, more than 1,600 sports teams still have a Native American reference mascot. For example, there are still 125 teams called Redskins in the United States, 855 Indians, and 189 Chiefs.
Some names can be particularly offensive, such as the Savages, which some high school teams still carry. In the South, some references to the Civil War are also under pressure. The University of Mississippi teams are still called Rebels, in honor of the Southern Rebels, but an old colonel’s mascot has been abandoned.
