Citing “Free Speech”, legal representation for the National Football League’s Washington Redskins defended the franchise’s use of the racially charged team name.
Speech is considered hate speech however if it “attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability, or sexual orientation”.
Critics of the name “Redskins” say it does exactly that. Utilizing a divisive term that was first used at a time when bounties were paid for the slaying of Native Americans.
Critics also point out that team names like “Blackskins” or “Yellowskins” would be seen to be in poor-taste, why shouldn’t the name “Redskins” also be seen so.
