As a general rule, the names of professional sports teams, and their connotations, are of little concern. No one cares that the Chicago White Sox don’t wear white socks, or that Utah, where the NBA’s Jazz are based, is the last place you’d think of when you think of jazz.

But the Washington Redskins are different. 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. Snyder, however, says that will “never” happen.

Plenty of commentators have expended plenty of words arguing for and against the idea. If I were Snyder, I’d have replaced “Redskins” a long time ago. But what the team, the NFL, the courts or Congress ought to do is not the only question. Another one is: Why does it matter so much?

The difference of opinion is not a mere matter of habit or upbringing, like “you like tomato, I like tomahto.” It’s not a matter of taste, like preferring green to purple. It goes to fundamental beliefs and values.

More from Steve Chapman@ Reason

Posted by The NON-Conformist