Federal courts have dismissed Native American groups' attempt to legally remove the name and logo of the Washington Redskins football team.
The question for the courts was interpretation of a federal law that allows cancellation of a registration "at any time" if the trademark comprises "matter which may disparage ... persons, living or dead ... or bring them into contempt, or disrepute."Nothing disparaging about "redskin", eh? I see the court's point. I myself am a diehard fan of the Chattanooga Chinamen, the Des Moines Darkies, and the Bellingham Banditos semi-pro sports teams. It's all in good fun. Especially our logos! You didn't think you could fit a yellow man with a conical hat and a rickshaw on the side of a football helmet, but by golly, it can be done!
A federal appeals court ultimately decided that the law's protections did not apply in this case and that the suit was filed too late. Native Americans have said the trademark should never have been granted in the first place.
I guess indigneous groups just can't muster up enough power over a giant sports franchise that is considered economically viable for our nation's capital. It must be frustrating since people think it's so fucking money to name their sports teams after Native Americans. It's like they want to say, "We're so bad ass, it's like we can hunt buffalo and scalp a mothafucka! Now help me into these shiny stretch pants and butt pads."
It's a tradition that's as lively as ever. So why not get creative with it? Maybe the Redskins can become the Washington Raped and Pillaged? Or the Washington Oppressed? Or the Washington Small Pox Intolerant?
Well paint me Crayola Indian Red. I should work for the NFL.
