Comments on: Are the Nepean Redskins a ‘racist organization’?

By: adoption

adoption — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 07:24:29 +0000

Some really superb information, Sword lily I noticed this. “Traffic signals in New York are just rough guidelines.” by David Letterman.

By: Bruce Sinclair

Bruce Sinclair — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 02:07:44 +0000

Tanisi all, As a Metis teacher from Saskatchewan, I see a great opportunity to teach the Nepean Redskins Football team, parents,coaches and other teachers etc. about the issue in all of its glory, controversy, perspectives to the best of my ability. I’d be willing to volunteer my services to conduct a talking circle, provide examples of our beautiful cultures including history, identity and stereotyping on me. A ripe, always timely subject again that will not go away, think of the Chicago Black Hawks, Florida State Seminoles, Columbus Blue Jackets and other sports teams that ‘borrow’ our tribes, chiefs, warriors to promote their image and make millions on merchandise with these images..I remember this issue decades ago with the Washington Redskins when a brave First Nations woman almost singlehandedly challenged the organization to change the logo…the owner, Jack Kent Cooke said the same thing we’re hearing now, comments like ‘we honour the brave, courage and strength of the warrior’ and then said no…but the image that stuck with me was the interview with a black player on the team who said ‘it really doesn’t matter what I think, what matters is what the Native Americans think’….so, the offer still stands, Nepean, education ‘is’ our buffalo (a Western thought which I can teach you about)…I’m ready

By: Caleb Abbott

Caleb Abbott — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:23:55 +0000

PS – In regards to why is this happening now, being a news item today, “no one cared before so why now”, “Ian on a soapbox”, etc.,

All news items are generally current. All discoveries happen at one point. Some things go unnoticed and are then realized (women’s rights, gay rights, civil rights, human rights, student rights, union rights,…) And, as we adamantly teach our youth, it only takes one person to instigate change.

I feel sorrow that this type of logic needs to be explained to adults.

By: Caleb Abbott

Caleb Abbott — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:08:14 +0000

I’m with Ian, and it’s not difficult to understand why.

Tradition is the irrational banner that ignorance hides behind.

Let me suggest this, empathy. Try to imagine yourself being misrepresented in a discriminatory way. If you can’t, allow me to assist.

Historically women have been marginalized. What if the team had an offensive name towards women highlighted be a stereotypical image and logo? Primitive Black American slave representations? Homosexual stereotypes? Balding white warmongering men?

It’s not difficult to imagine.

What I fear is polarization. These football playing kids will survive the name change. Bigger issues will arise in their yet to be realized lives.

The worst thing we, as educated adults and leaders, can do is stick them with the legacy of fighting for a dying cause. How will they explain their battle to their children? Or future players of the team? This type ignorance dies with every generation that holds on to it so we’ll be long gone while they unknowingly deal with our mistakes.

It’s painfully obvious what needs to happen.

By: ana

ana — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:14:04 +0000

The subject of inappropriate team mascots has a long history in this continent and some teams have responded by changing their names to something that is more conducive to an environment of respect and fair play. Scientific research shows that mascots and Indian stereotypes, regardless of if they are “good” images or “bad” images, cause depressed self esteem, decreased community worth, and decreased possible selves–even when students say the images don’t bother them.

I would like to connect this local issue with the efforts made by FIFA in the past years to combat the extreme culture of racism in that sport. In fact, one of FIFA’s statues explicitly states: “Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.” Internationally, racism is slowly being eradicated from sport; I would like to see the same effort made locally within the City of Ottawa.

As a mother, it is horrific to see community leaders openly supporting such an example of hatred and ignorance. I strive very hard to create a better world in which my son can grow and to teach the values of respect, justice, and integrity. The Nepean Redskins are located in unceeded Algonquin territory, and I believe that they have an obligation to respect and recognize the culture and traditions of the people of this land. The team is telling non-Native kids that it is acceptable to use the term “Redskin” without reflecting on the racist implications of the term.

Change the Name!!

By: Nick Storring

Nick Storring — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:12:42 +0000

This quote from an article about Campeau’s campaign warrants reiteration: “My point is, would you call someone you don’t know a redskin?” EXACTLY!

By: Janice

Janice — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:34:32 +0000

Change that team’s name to Nepean REDNECKS because looking at their list of politicians and suppoters that’s what they are. Then you don’t have to change their colours and put Harper’s head as the logo.Just calling a spade a spade. Yo My Nish!

By: Cara

Cara — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:02:16 +0000

I support Ian Campeau for the simple fact that calling anyone redskins is racist. I don’t think the team would like to be called Whiteskins would they?

By: Aldrick Theodore

Aldrick Theodore — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:00:33 +0000

I used to play for the Barrhaven redskins in their mosquito, pee-wee and bantam programs and I will definitely agree that it is a great organization to be a part of…but people dont seem to realise the integrity of the organization is not what is (or should be) discussed here..(mind you the fact that the team hasnt even had the decency to reply to any of Ian’s attempts to contact them is a bit suspect to me but thats a whole other issue)it is the use of a racial term used as the team name. All i see in alot of these posts are ignorant people trying to downplay something that is clearly wrong. How does changing a team name break up a familly Nick P? Will the name change make you run slower? Or forget how to tackle?? Being a black male, it always amazes me at the excuses people will make up to make them feel like they’re not being racist(or in this case supporting racism) or doing something wrong..the people arguing this change really need to step back and just think for a moment. why exactly are you so upset over this? Its clear why Ian and other people in the aboriginal community are upset(even though many of you have tried to twist his words) but why is changing a name that is hurtful to others getting you so angry?? It makes no sense to me at all…the guy has offered to help raise funds to help with what i see could be the only real reason one would have to complain.(a weak one at that but i’ll give you a leg to stand on for arguement sake)..and if any of you really knew who A Tribe Called Red were you would jump at the offer he is giving because chances are they would raise all of the funds needed..Yes, A Tribe Called Red is that big in the music scene. Just reading the posts from Nick P and Suzie q, who i assume judging by their posts r both young teens, really makes me sad for our future society..if this is their way of reasoning things and what they are being taught about dealing with issues such as this one i fear we have an even bigger problem then we think!

By: Goliath

Goliath — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:03:27 +0000

i’m native american, got my aboriginal affairs issued status card to prove it (there’s no such thing as free gas for aboriginals, btw). minnesota vikings. nothing racist about that name. redskins sounds like something much more derogatory. i understand that these sports teams want a name that inspires ferocity, and strength. no one would call their team the whatever city butterflies when their sports team’s intent is to crush the competition. the nepean butterflies. the ottawa daisies. i think that if you name your team in reference to an race of people you should be very careful, especially if you use a term that describes that race in euro-centric ignorant language. the atlanta japs. wtf. the toronto chinks. the detroit towel-heads. the washington redskins. come on. you and i both know that the name is derogatory. just break with tradition and show your enlightened evolution and choose another name for yourself. especially if the very race of people you named yourself after are TELLING you that they are offended by that name. should i publicly design a logo, have the media refer to, and have anyone who’s interested in my team uphold a derogatory name for a race of PEOPLE who are my very neighbours, schoolmates, co-workers? have a contest: re-name the nepean redskins. i’ll donate some prize money. design a new logo. i’ll donate some prize money. positive evolution.