Half-hearted
Redskins should engage the community,
The decision of the Nepean Redskins to change their name, in the wake of overwhelming public outcry, is good for the club and the city. This is a community youth club, and it is in no one’s interest to have its name divide the city.
But as important as the name change itself is the spirit of respect that should accompany it, and the reaching out to people who called for the change. The club seemed at first to make the decision grudgingly, with the majority of parents disagreeing with the name change because they saw nothing wrong with it. That’s troubling because if people don’t acknowledge their mistakes, they are bound to repeat them.
“I get it. I get that everybody has to be politically correct, but never has there been the slightest trace of racism intended. Quite the contrary,” treasurer Evelyn Torley told the Citizen.
No one ever said the team changed its name from Buccaneers to Redskins to foster racism or be intentionally offensive. And no one is saying that the board and the many volunteers who run the team are not putting in long hours helping kids enjoy football and learn other skills.
The point is that the club plays under a name that historically, is derogatory and offensive. Do the parents really believe that calls for change are all about political correctness? Are these parents saying a term that has been used disparagingly against aboriginal Canadians is fine with them?
People who run team sports for children are not only coaches and executives, they are also teachers. They not only teach kids how to throw or punt the football, they also impart lifeskills such as leadership, discipline, standing up for what’s right, dealing with pressure, and knowing how to handle triumph and defeat — skills that will help them become better adults. So the club should think about what lessons these young people learn from this whole affair.
As people, we learn, change and grow with time. There are words we once used that we never use today, things we once did that we never do, and beliefs we held that we no longer adhere to, not because of political correctness, but because of simple respect. We refuse to use derogatory terms not because we’re being forced into it but because we now know better. That’s how we grow and become a better society.
The Nepean Redskins have been given that chance. They certainly changed, and we hope over time, they will learn and grow.
Many people in the wider Ottawa community would doubtless be happy to help the Redskins make this transition, if the organization reaches out, acknowledges the need for change and shows itself to be truly interested in respectful conversations.