The logo for the Change the Mascot campaign

The overwhelming majority of Americans wouldn't use the R-word in person, according to a poll commissioned by the Change the Mascot campaign.

Four in five respondents said they would be uncomfortable calling a Native person by the term. They also say they wouldn't personally address a Native person with the term.

Among respondents aged 18-34, 50 percent said they considered the term to be offensive. But only 34 percent of respondents older than 35 felt the same, according to the poll.

The acceptance of the offensive nature of the word, however, does not necessarily translate to opposition to the Washington NFL team's continued use of the term. According to the poll, 72 percent of fans who want the team to keep its mascot wouldn't use the word in person with a Native American.

“Our study proves how important context is to behavior. On one hand, group mentality makes people think using the r-word is okay. But on the other hand, when a person comes face to face with a Native American, it’s not,” D’nae Kingsley, whose company, goodness Mfg, conducted the survey, said in a press release.

Get the Story:
Poll Finds Most People Would Not Call Someone a “Redskin,” but Say It’s Fine as an NFL Team Name (The Washingtonian 11/20)

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