FCC Considering Punishment for Broadcasters Who Use Redskins Nickname

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:bleacherreport
 

 

FCC Considering Punishment for Broadcasters Who Use Redskins Nickname

 



Perpetual controversy surrounds the Washington Redskins team name. Since nothing has ultimately changed despite the widespread perception that the nickname is offensive toward Native Americans, the Federal Communications Commission may take a serious stand.    
 
According to a Tuesday report by Reuters' Alina Selyukh, legal activist John Banzhaf III has petitioned the FCC to remove a local Washington radio station's licensing rights for using the term "Redskins."
 
The report also featured comments from FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on the matter, who appears to side with Banzhaf:
Sports Illustrated polled fans recently to gauge their thoughts on whether Washington's professional football team should change its mascot and nickname:
 
We'll be looking at that petition, we will be dealing with that issue on the merits and we'll be responding accordingly. [...] There are a lot of names and descriptions that were used over time that are inappropriate today. And I think the name that is attributed to the Washington football club is one of those.

Just 25 percent of fans think the @Redskins should change their name http://t.co/9WjtwqjbMm pic.twitter.com/DnxnsS4Gem
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 25, 2014

While there are those who don't find any fault with the team name, there are plenty of notable parties on the other side of the issue. The Oneida Indian Nation has started a national campaign at ChangeTheMascot.org, urging NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to enact change.
Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post documented what happened when former Washington player Fred Smoot gave his opinion:

Fred Smoot weighs in on Redskins name, gets called "gutless" by fan pic.twitter.com/KNUQCn7WUQ
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) September 22, 2014
This is yet another difficult issue that Goodell has had to deal with amid multiple domestic violence cases, player-safety concerns and others.
If the FCC accepts the petition, it can essentially declare use of the term "Redskin(s)" as an obscene slur. That will undoubtedly prevent the vast majority of sportscasters on television and radio from using it any longer, whether they agree with the policy or not.
Washington owner Daniel Snyder has remained staunch in his position not to change the name, but in light of how the media might not be able to use it, that could be a powerful force for real change.



 

 

[Mobruler]

What exactly is the process to stop being an American and become a resident of Canada?

 

[elcheato]

Not sure why it's taking the FCC to get something done. This continues to be blatantly racist

 

[Hurricane Season]

I wish everyone would just die.

 

[Mobruler]

I wish everyone would just die.

This for me too.

 

[RipCity32]

What exactly is the process to stop being an American and become a resident of Canada?

 

[Delirium]

If Native Americans are offended then okay but why did it take 50 or whatever years for this to become an issue?

 

[Hurricane Season]

I take offense on behalf of others because I know I understand their plight better than they do.

 

[elcheato]

If Native Americans are offended then okay but why did it take 50 or whatever years for this to become an issue?

Why are you putting a statute of limitations on racial and ethnic thinking? That's so close minded

 

[elcheato]

I take offense on behalf of others because I know I understand their plight better than they do.

So you're saying outside parties can't find something offensive and tasteless because they're not directly involved? Issues don't get to higher levels of spectrum and potentially solved unless there is activism and understanding from the prominent groups in the country, not just the one effected.

I get why people don't want it changed, but at this point it just seems senseless to fight for that position. It just comes off as petty and just seems to lack perspective

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Just change the name so I don't have to hear about this anymore. Washington Braves. There, problem solved. That's what I do, I solve problems.

 

[elcheato]

 
Those would all work, but I think the Indians is already used. 

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I would root for the New York Jews. They would never waste their payroll. 

 

[H-MYK]

This is really starting to get ridiculous. People need to shut up about changing the name. I've said this once and I'll say it again, people are so oversensitive, it's beyond freakin' stupid.

 

[elcheato]

Explain to me how it is oversensitive, because I don't see it. 
 

[SIZE=14.4444446563721px]"[/SIZE]Redskin[SIZE=14.4444446563721px]" is a term for [/SIZE]Native Americans[SIZE=14.4444446563721px]. The term is defined in current dictionaries of American English as "usually offensive",[/SIZE][1][SIZE=14.4444446563721px] "disparaging",[/SIZE][2][3][SIZE=14.4444446563721px] "insulting",[/SIZE][4][SIZE=14.4444446563721px] and "taboo".[/SIZE][5][SIZE=14.4444446563721px] Because the term is generally considered a slur by the Native American population, it has almost disappeared from common usage since the 1960s, except as a name for sports teams, although the number of teams using the name has also been in steady decline.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=14.4444446563721px]I don't see how it's [/SIZE]oversensitive[SIZE=14.4444446563721px] to want that removed as a team's nickname. [/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=14.4444446563721px]I'm sorry, but bringing up names like "Braves", "Fighting Irish", and such is not relevant, nor is talking about how no one had an issue with it 20 years ago. [/SIZE]

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I mentioned the braves as an alternative. Nobody considers braves offensive.

 

[elcheato]

Because it's not. Some of the antics from the Atlanta fans during games are though. 

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Can't completely prevent fans from being assholes.

 

[elcheato]

Or they can just change their logo to a baked potato 

 

[Giantmetfan07]

You could have a game between the blues and the purples and fans will still act like assholes.