I’m really starting to get tired of SJW stuff. I’m referring to “social justice warriors,” the definition of which can be easily obtained by simply emailing Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s office.
Anyhoo, I had another run in last week with an eastern liberal SJW over the nomenclature connected to the NFL team I used to root for. I was previously a fan of the Washington Redskins. I don’t follow the NFL anymore over the recent “Deflategate” controversy, which involved the New England Patriots once again getting caught cheating, followed by an investigation that proved players knew about cheating, coaches knew, staff knew, other teams suspected etc. Listening to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s endless denials that he was the real victim, threats of lawsuits, indignation, I decided to spend my spare time on something besides the NFL.
But anyway, back to the Redskins. This past week I happened to be wearing a sweater that has a large “Redskins” logo emblazoned across the front (it’s warm, so I wear it), and an eastern liberal I was acquainted with seemed to take offense at it. At least, he made a comment something to the effect, “Are you sure you should be wearing that?”
This SJW was speaking on behalf of Native Americans apparently, who, according to him, are offended by the name “Redskins” that, apparently, insults them in some way. The name has been used by the team since the 1930’s and even during the civil rights movement during the 60’s nothing was ever said about it. In fact, it wasn’t until the early 1990’s anyone complained about the name.
Recently, some ESPN journalists have also spoken on behalf of Native Americans to decry the Redskins name, plus one outspoken Native American activist, Suzan Harjoe, who claimed it was insulting to Native Americans and should be changed.
A Washington Post national poll actually found the vast majority, about 80 per cent, of Native Americans were not offended by the name “Redskins.” In a May, 2016 article, the Post stated, “Nine in 10 Native Americans say they are not offended by the Washington Redskins name, according to a new Washington Post poll that shows how few ordinary Indians have been persuaded by a national movement to change the football team’s moniker.
“The survey of 504 people across every state and the District reveals that the minds of Native Americans have remained unchanged since a 2004 poll by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found the same result. Responses to The Post’s questions about the issue were broadly consistent regardless of age, income, education, political party or proximity to reservations.
“Among the Native Americans reached over a five-month period ending in April, more than 7 in 10 said they did not feel the word “Redskin” was disrespectful to Indians. An even higher number — 8 in 10 — said they would not be offended if a non-native called them that name.”
It deeply annoys me that SJWs and eastern liberals feel qualified to speak on behalf of Native Americans when SJWs and eastern liberals obviously have no idea how Native Americans feel. I suspect SJWs and eastern liberals are doing it to make themselves feel like a big man.
And if you think this controversy doesn’t affect you, the SJWs and eastern liberals have recently shown they’re coming after other teams with Native American nomenclature, including the Cleveland Indians, Chicago Blackhawks and, yes, the Edmonton Eskimos.
Stu Salkeld is the editor of The Pipestone Flyer and writes a regular column for the paper.