The decision by Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, to not change the name of his team has run into major opposition from celebrities, American Indian support organizations, Democratic politicians, and others who have called the logo and the name racist.
On the other side are long time fans of the team who do not want to change the logo, believe in the traditions of the team, or feel the pressure on the team is due to political correctness and censorship.
Unfortunately, this fight, like the fight against the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Chiefs, will continue until the pressure is enough to change things. By that time, the amount of bitterness between the two sides will be too great, and the team will lose any potential fan base, splintering and eventually a move of the team out of the Washington area as fans drift away from the losing side.
I do not want this to happen. Right now, the team is in the best shape it has been in ages. I confess I am not a Redskin fan, but I want to have the team succeed since it finally has made improvements.
The only way to preserve the situation, I feel, is the basis of my petition on Change.Org. Let's change the name of the team, but to a name everyone can get behind. A name that will pull non-football fans into the sport to increase revenue on top of what is already being gained. A name that emboldens the warrior spirit meant by the current Redskin name, but well known to generations.
The Washington Klingons
Petition:
Many native Americans dislike the use of their heritage for sporting teams. One of the main teams this concerns is the Washington Redskins. Many organizations have pushed to have this changed, despite opposition from Dan Snyder, owner of the team.
So, how about a bit of a compromise?
Changing the name to the Washington Klingons does a few things:
1) Allows those with native American heritage to no longer have to be offended by the team name
2) Brings in a built-in base of additional fans who will start supporting the team
3) Requires few changes to the logo - forehead ridge and removal of the feather
4) Will prompt numerous fans to dress up in costume to go to the game, bringing to the city the same sort of loyalty given to Oakland and Cleveland by their fans.
5) Would honor the legacy of one of the greatest television series, and especially its creator, Gene Roddenberry.
6) Would provide numerous celebrity endorsements from those actors and actresses who played in the series, increasing revenues again.
So, I am calling for a change of the Washington Redskins name to the Washington Klingons.
Click on http://www.change.org/petitions/national-football-league-change-the-name-of-the-washington-redskins-to-the-washington-klingons to support the petition!