WHAT’S IN A NAME? LOTS
We no longer can put off talk we must have about Hawks’ moniker
Is there a difference between the team name ‘‘Redskins,’’ which trades in ugly racial stereotypes, and ‘‘Blackhawks,’’ which purports to honor the Native American warrior Black Hawk? I would say there is, but when I look in a mirror and see the pasty visage looking back at me, I know I’m not the right person to answer that question.
Several years ago, I vowed never to use the name of Washington’s NFL team in print when discussing football, and, except for one instance of brain freeze, I haven’t. If Native Americans are insulted by the name — and many are — that’s the only criterion that should matter. End of story.
But I never have been as forceful with regard to the team