Steve Chapman on the Real Meaning of the "Redskins" Debate

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Credit: Hawk Eyes / Foter / CC BY-NC

As a general rule, the names of professional sports teams, and their connotations, are of little concern. But the Washington Redskins are different, observes Steve Chapman. Their name is a big deal. A group of Native Americans is pursuing a suit to strip the name of federal trademark protection. A few publications have stopped using the term in stories about the team. In May, 10 members of Congress wrote team owner Dan Snyder asking him to find a new name.