Mon 13 July 2020:
The Washington Redskins announced Monday they are retiring their nickname, which has long been considered derogatory by Native Americans.
The American football team said on its official Twitter account it is taking the action, which also includes ending use of the team’s logo, a profile of a Native American man, following a “thorough review” that began July 3.
The team did not announce what new name and logo would be adopted, but said owner Dan Snyder and coach Ron Rivera are developing alternatives.
The new name remains unknown, but Warriors, Red Wolves and Redtails have ranked among the post popular choices among fans on social media.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) July 13, 2020
Snyder has long ignored requests of Native American tribes and other organizations to change the name because some deem the term offensive, citing the fact that the dictionary classifies it as a racial slur.
As the climate in the country has changed to a place of greater awareness of racial insensitivities, the Redskins name debate returned to the spotlight.
A group of investors urged FedEx, Nike and Pepsi to join their fight to change the name. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that Washington’s minority owners also had encouraged Snyder to make a change. He had turned a deaf ear until FedEx, whose president and chairman Fred Smith owns a stake of the team, publicly demanded a change on July 2.
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