Native Americans Not Offended by Redskins Team Name [OPINION]

In 2016, the Washington Post published the results of a poll that caused liberal heads all across the fruited plain to explode. The poll asked Native Americans if they were offended by the use of the name "Redskins" for the National Football League team based in Washington, D.C.

Nine out of 10 Native Americans told the paper they were not offended by the name. Well, guess what? They are still not offended by it.

Less than a year ago, the Post asked the marketing research firm Wolvereye, with help from Gazelle Global Research Services, to conduct a web-based survey of 500 people who self-identified as Native American. That poll found the same results as the 2016 poll and one conducted 12 years prior to that. Nine out of 10 Native Americans are not offended by the use of the name Redskins by the football franchise.

When the results remain unchanged over a 12-year period, that's pretty solid polling.

But polling be damned. No one really cares what Native Americans think about all of this. The team is under intense pressure once again to change its name and it appears as though this time it may happen. The team's ownership, facing threats of all sorts from the cancel culture crowd, says it is reviewing the situation and may actually agree to a name change.

The Cleveland Indians are also said to be considering a name change. Keep in mind, the folks over at Land-O-Lakes have already offed the Indian maiden from their products.

So, if Native Americans are not offended, who is? Who is driving this movement to eradicate images of Native Americans from our culture and why? Those who speak out against the use of the name Redskins say it disrespects Native Americans.

I suspect that once we eliminate all references and images of Native Americans from our culture that are offensive to the politically correct, the Indians will have something to be offended about – and deservedly so.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.