Haaland on Washington NFL Team Announcement to Change Racist Name, Logo

Statement

Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, released the following statement after the Washington NFL team announced it would change its racist logo and team name today:

"It's wrong for a national football team to perpetuate racist attitudes, but for decades the Washington NFL team refused to recognize the role their name plays in projecting racist stereotypes about Native Americans even after multiple protests and requests. With decades of work by organizers and activists, public outcry, a moment reckoning with our country's racist past, and corporate sponsors willing to put more pressure on the Washington NFL team's management to do the right thing, we made this change together. A change that should have been made a long time ago.

"It shouldn't take a huge social movement or pressure from corporate sponsors to do the right thing, but I'm glad it's happening. Now, young Native kids won't be faced with the racist attitudes and gestures that come from having mascots that perpetuate stereotypes and silence indigenous voices and culture. A whole new generation of fans of Washington NFL football will have a team name and mascot they can be proud of."

Source