Reduce the abolition of the Redskins and various other elements affected by wokeness, as suggested by David Marcus
In the year 2020, a wave of changes swept across the United States, leading to the removal of several historical symbols and names. Among them were the Emancipation Memorial in Boston, a statue of Abraham Lincoln freeing a slave, and statues of Christopher Columbus and Teddy Roosevelt. Another significant change took place in the world of sports, as the Washington NFL team, previously known as the Redskins, adopted new names - first as the Washington Football Team, and later as the Commanders.
The push to restore the Washington NFL team's original name, "Redskins," is gaining momentum, with voices arguing that the name honours Native American heritage rather than insulting it. This argument is based on the claim that many Native Americans do not object to the term "Redskins," and some see it as a tribute rather than a slur.
The name change in 2020 was a response to widespread criticism that the term was a racial slur offensive to Native Americans. However, the renewed push has been publicly supported by influential figures like former President Donald Trump, who has even threatened to withhold facilitation of a new stadium deal if the team does not revert to the original name. Team ownership, however, currently maintains no plans to change the name back.
The intergalactic hubris of officials who thought they knew better how to celebrate the end of slavery than actual slaves is cited as a reason for returning excised memorials and names. The same argument is made for the Washington NFL team, with some suggesting that the team's owners have a chance to bring renewal to the team and respect the past, instead of abhorring and eviscerating it.
The General Lee statue in Richmond and the Emancipation Memorial in Boston could potentially be reinstated, although no definitive decisions have been made. The Native American Guardians Association, for instance, argues that the term 'Redskins' is not offensive.
The iconoclastic impulse to destroy the images and symbols of a society is not unique to modern times. Examples from ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages demonstrate that this urge is timeless. However, it is suggested that we do not have to accept this as an inevitable part of societal evolution. Instead, we can engage in a rational process to decide what history to deprive future generations of.
The author David Marcus, a columnist living in West Virginia and the author of "Charade: The COVID Lies That Crushed A Nation," provides insightful perspectives on these issues. As the debate continues, it is clear that the restoration of historical symbols and names is a complex issue, with passionate arguments on both sides.
- The debate over the Washington NFL team's name change raises similar questions, as some argue that the original name, "Redskins," is a nod to Native American heritage, not a slur, much like the argument for the reinstatement of certain historical statues.
- As with the controversy surrounding the reinstatement of symbols like the General Lee statue in Richmond, the issue of the Washington NFL team's name is a contentious one, with public figures like former President Donald Trump advocating for a return to the original name, "Redskins."
- The ongoing discussion regarding the Washington NFL team's name mirrors debates about restoring historical symbols, such as the Emancipation Memorial in Boston, with some, like the Native American Guardians Association, arguing that the term "Redskins" is not offensive.
