The Washington Redskins – who play football in Maryland – won last week a lawsuit challenging the Trademark Office’s decision to cancel the Redskins’ trademark as racially derogatory. The court found essentially that too much time has elapsed and the Redskins would be prejudiced by lawsuits that could have been brought long before the Redskins made the investment that they have in the name.
I don’t know what my reaction I have to this ruling. If American Indians are as a group truly offended by the Redskins name they should get rid of it, with or without a court order. But I don’t get the impression that American Indians are offended by the name. My impression comes from American Indians who are more assimilated; I’ve never taken the pulse of people who live on an Indian reservation who might have a different view. But somehow, I doubt it.