"This year has gotten off to quite a start with Idle No More and now the Washington, D.C. mayor Vincent Gray chiming in on a franchise name change for the NFL team associated with that city.

I have felt passionately about imagery in professional sports for many years. Thus, to hear of Mayor Gray’s position on the NFL team name change as a point of discussion if the actual Washington D.C. stadium venue was sought for relocation, that really struck me.

I do not know Vincent Gray as a man, or as a politician, yet. This subject is headline grabbing for sure, but not of the most obvious kind. It will not be a popular topic.

Conviction is the desire to right a wrong. The American education system cannot afford to have to re-instruct youth that the term “Redskins” is not socially redemptive, nor is dwelling on the color of skin in any way, whether cheering on something, in small groups or large. Consensus of bigotry as a fan base is not a valid excuse for anti-social behavior. Period."

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Charles Kader: The Redskins Can Change Their Name, But People Will Remain the Same (Indian Country Today 1/23)

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