Recommendations of the Editorial team
Probably in the attempt to distract from the current catastrophe in his government-especially from dealing with the Jeffrey Epstein files and revelations about his relationship with the late sex criminal, Donald Trump is currently trying to urge sports teamsto introduce old, racist team names.
Trump wants to build stadium construction to change the name
“The Washington ‘Whatever” should change their name in Washington Redskin’s Football Team immediately, “Trump wrote on Truth on Truth on Sunday and supported insulting stereotypes. “There is a big demand for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams with a glorious past. Our great Indians want it to be huge. Your legacy and reputation are systematically taken away.
The team now known as Washington Commander had given up the name “Redskins” in July 2020 after sponsors like Fedex threatened to withdraw, the old name should be retained. Fedex has the name rights at the team’s stadium. The term “redskins” is widely considered a racist insult.
A few weeks ago, Trump did not seem to be too important. At that time he said that he “hadn’t changed”, but added: “They know that if you win, everything suddenly sounds good. So if they win, Commanders suddenly sounds good. But I would not have changed the name.”
In a statement published later on Sunday afternoon, Trump even threatened to interfere with the planned new stadium building of the team in Washington DC if the old name is not reintroduced.
“Make Indians Great Again”
“My explanation of the Washington Redskins was totally taken, but only in a very positive way,” he wrote. “I could impose a condition for you: if you do not return to the original name ‘Washington Redskins’ and abolish the ridiculous label ‘Washington Commanders’, I will not complete a deal with you for the construction of a stadium in Washington. The team would be much more worth it, and the deal would be more exciting for everyone.”
He added: “Cleveland should do the same with the cleveland Indians … Indians are treated very unfairly. Make Indians Great Again (Miga)!”
The Cleveland Indians had given up their team name in 2020 and changed in Cleveland Guardians.
“Through direct conversations with native Americans and hearing their experiences, we have gained a deeper understanding of how tribal communities think about the team names and what negative effects he has on them,” said Paul Dolan, owner and chairman of the Guardians, when the decision was announced.
Team owner shows no interest in change of name
A study by the University of Michigan, which interviewed more than 1,000 native Americans in February 2020, showed that the majority reject native mascot. Among the native Americans, “who regularly take part in tribal or cultural practices”, found 67 % to be insulting the name Redskins. Of all the native Americans surveyed, half stated that gestures such as the Tomahawk Chop or Mascot with chief feather jewelry to be found to be offensive. The logo of the Washington team under the old name showed a drawing of a native American with feathers on the head.
Josh Harris, owner of the Commanders, was not interested in changing the name again in an interview in April. Harris said to Bret Baier that the team “progresses with the name of Commanders, is happy about it and does not look back”.