What’s in a name?

I’m of two (at least) minds on this whole “Washington Redskins” name controversy. I can see why people would want it changed. I’ve tried to put myself in their shoes by thinking about how I’d feel if someone decided to name a team after something important to me. What, for example, if they were the Washington Mormons? To some degree I wouldn’t care. There comes a point when a name becomes a trademark, completely separate from it’s literal connotation. If a Washington Mormons player were caught raping teenagers at a party I don’t think people would even make the connection to my religion, let alone try to blame the player’s behavior on my church. Still, the name, even if it’s only a nickname, is important to me, and I would wish they would represent it better.

Growing up, I went to Pocatello High School, known as the Indians. Our city, and hence our high school, was named for an indian chief from the nearby Shoshone-Bannock tribes. The school has had an ongoing dialogue with those tribes over use of the name “indians” and our mascot, “Oskie”. The compromise which has lasted for a long time is that they would allow us to keep the names, so long as we used them respectfully, with effort to instruct the students about those names and traditions. That’s why our school’s mascot has always had to know and perform a traditional war dance, and does so with serious dignity. And quite frankly, I think it’s cool that we have had those traditions, that tie to history, and to our neighbors.

I’ve not lived in Pocatello for over a decade, so I don’t know how well this compromise and tradition continues to hold. I don’t know if the tribal leaders are still as supportive today. But I hope everyone is still happy with the arrangement.

That said, I don’t think the Washington Redskins have that tie to history or that sense of respect. Ideally they would come to the conclusion on their own that, yes, they should change the name of the team. They could get a lot of positive publicity by doing so. Or at least they could have a while ago. I think the window of opportunityis closing fast, if not shut already, and it’s more a matter of how much kicking and screaming (on both sides) will occur first. But in the end, they’re in the business of pleasing people. Why cling to a name if it’s getting in the way? In this controversy-driven culture there’s little risk of any Redskins fans not hearing about a name change and not knowing who to go buy tickets from. Heavens, sports stadiums change their names every few years. People still know where to go. What’s the big deal?

On the other hand, I’m not sure why this has become the government’s problem. More specifically, why has this become Harry Reid’s personal crusade–when he’s not publicly decrying the Koch Brothers with more vitriol and vigor than he’s ever managed to raise for the United States’ enemies? Take a look at any news site at what is going on in this country and around the world, and it boggles the mind why the US Senate Majority Leader believes a football team name is the most important of our time. Is it because he believes the Koch Brothers are personally paying the team owner to keep the name?

We are currently engaged in several ongoing investigations into whether or not the US Government is abusing its power. We should be more concerned about this than we are. Is it okay simply because they’re persecuting people you disagree with? By thinking that way you are giving them tacit approval to do the same to you should the party in power be reversed. It’s no big deal if the IRS has been purposely discouraging Tea Party groups from attaining non-profit status? Then you must think it’s okay for the IRS to turn around and specifically target pro-abortion groups and non-profit clinics. The rules should apply at all times, not just when it suits you.

So, to the Washington Redskins I suggest you consider a name change. You could still generate some good will–if only among memorabilia collectors. It’s not like team name changes are unprecedented. Or how about a logo change? Switch to a picture of a red potato. Problem solved.

And to the Washington power-players, I suggest you get serious about serious problems. When you politicize such issues you turn it into a question for the team owner of “will I give in to these powerful, rich politicians who think everything is their business?” instead of “what’s the right thing to do here?”. When you take these little end-runs to the Patent Office you show just how petty you are, while opening the door to more abuses of the system. The power of the US Government is better spent on something other than pressuring a single business to change its branding. There’s people-power to handle these sorts of things. Let it work, and get to work on something worthy of government.

So that’s what I wish would happen. What do you think my chances are?