No class of mine would be complete without referencing something in sports so my PR topic is the battle for renaming and re-branding the Washington Redskins. There are dozens and dozens of articles that talk about what is appropriate for the Redskins to do and all kinds of speculation into why nothing has been done yet. I think this is a HUGE public relations matter for the sport world. There is a group of people widely unhappy with the implications and associations of the Redskins, people that are offended by it (albeit more recently public since the Redskins were formed back in 1932), yet the organization has done very little about it.
Here at LCSC we faced a comparable situation with the Nez Perce tribes being offended at many of the mascot ideas that we had in order to go along with the Lewis-Clark State Warriors that we are. Instead we've been forced to go more with the Lewis and Clark aspect. Does this mean the end of the Warriors?
Here's a link to many of the different articles about the Redskins if any of you are interested :)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/washington-redskins-name-controversy/
Something that is pretty big in the sports world is the name of the Washington Redskins. A lot of people want that name to be changed because people say it’s racist. Native Americans say that they don’t know how to honor them. This is something the NFL is going to have to take quick actions into fixing this problem. I agree with you Stephanie, when you said nothing has been done yet for a name change. Here is my question why not? Clearly it offends people so therefor; their needs to be a name change and this name change needs to happen fast before things get worse.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic and event for PR professionals. With our world becoming more and more politically correct it is imperative that PR professionals understand where the upset is going to be next.
ReplyDeleteThe Washington Redskins are facing a crossroads here and it is important that their PR reps. point them in the right direction. It is important to keep the public happy. As a PR rep I would take polls, run contests on what the name should be changed to, and then go to the owners with the information I had gathered. IF the owners ultimately choose to change the name, I would do everything in my power to explain the the original name was not meant to be racist but as a mascot, one of which to be proud of.
This is a trying time for the team and I wish them luck.
I have to admit I do not know much about the redskins, but I do know of our local issues with the mascot of LCSC and Lewiston's local Junior High. The topic of the mascot at LCSC has been in discussion in a few of my classes and while known seem super opposed to the new logo with Lewis and Clark, most feel they do not truly represent warriors. The topic of even a soldier having more relevance of a warrior. As it is the new logo has been approved, at least for the athletic department.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Sacagawea Junior High, in Lewiston, has had issues over the years with their mascot and being the braves. Some say this is offensive and others reply it is a compliment.
This topic has been hotly debated for a while and I find myself dumbfounded that some teams haven't changed their name or their logos. One of the most offensive logos is that of the Cleveland Indians and if you don't believe me go look it up. They haven't changed their logo because it costs a lot of money to have to change it and they have so much merchandise tied to that logo that they are stubborn. The Washington Redskins is another perfect example with their owner claiming that "redskin" is a term of endearment which is just an absolute joke. He has proclaimed that as long as he is the owner her will never changed the name because it has so much history. I am proud of LCSC changing their mascot because I don't think it is right to have a mascot offend people, especially people that live so close to the school.
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