Call them the Washington Racial Slurs, a name fully descriptive of the anti-Indian insult under which they play. The Oneida Indian Nation has been pushing the Slurs to change their name. A number of sports reporters and media outlets have vowed to refrain from using the ugly word and even conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer recently came out against it. Slurs owner Dan Snyder has tried several stratagems to blunt this campaign. He has tried bluster (“We'll never change the name. It's that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.”). He has tried the appearance of reason (“I’ve listened carefully to the commentary and perspectives on all sides, and I respect the feelings of those who are offended by the team name.”) Last month, he tried money. Apparently having just discovered the appalling conditions — high rates of poverty, sickness, suicide — in which too many American Indians live, Snyder created something called the Original Americans Foundation “to provide meaningful and measurable resources that provide genuine opportunities for Tribal communities.” The response from at least two American Indian groups has been unambiguous: Thanks, but no thanks.Get the Story:
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Let’s hear it for the Washington Slurs (The Miami Herald 4/15) Related Stories:
NCAI and Oneida Nation welcome UN statement on racist name (04/11)
Al Jazeera: Gregg Deal takes on racist mascot with mural in DC (4/10)
Brian Cladoosby: Foundation won't fix Indian Country's problems (4/7)
David Treuer: Dan Snyder emerges as yet another 'Indian giver' (04/03)
Dan Snyder starts Redskinz.Com to reach out to Indian Country (4/1)
Ted Quasula: Gary Edwards is wrong to capitalize on a racist slur (4/1)
Peter MacDonald defends racist mascot at Navajo Nation Council (4/1)
Former director of NMAI calls team's foundation 'bait and switch' (4/1)
BIA acknowledges 'failed' contract with head of team's foundation (3/31)
Column: Omaha Tribe gets odd gift from Washington team owner (3/31)
Omaha Tribe: 'No strings attached' to donation from foundation (3/28)
Head of Original Americans Foundation tied to BIA misspending (3/28)
Gyasi Ross: Football team owner offers 'hush money' on mascot (3/28)
Senate majority leader predicts Washington team name change (3/28)
Colbert Report: Washington team extends olive branch to tribes (3/27)
Opinion: About that letter from Washington football team owner (3/27)
Cherokee man serves as CEO of 'Original Americans Foundation' (3/26)
Column: Dan Snyder's new charity comes with strings attached (3/26)
Editorial: Helping Native people means changing racist mascot (3/26)
NCAI calls foundation a 'publicity stunt' by football team owner (3/25)
Football team owner announces 'Original Americans Foundation' (3/25)
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