Justin Pelletier’s column (June 29) and Kalle Oakes’ column (June 30) about the Washington, D.C., NFL team name, “Redskins,” give rise to this letter. I fully respect their right to their opinions; however, I object to Oakes’ statement that “This isn’t another brick in the wall.”
I believe his “brick in the wall” examples are things supported by a minority percentage of persons. And so is the percentage of Native Americans who object to its use. A 2004 poll showed 90 percent of Native Americans did not object to the name. It’s interesting that Navajos root for the Red Mesa High School Redskins.
What I do agree with is Sen. John McCain’s saying the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had no business getting into the controversy.
However, my major concern is of the high poverty rate among Native Americans. Shouldn’t people be doing something about that and not get into whether or not a name is offensive to a small percentage of whatever people, race or religion happens to be in the news now?
The way the United States government has treated the Native Americans is shameful and no back door, ill-conceived apology by the patent office will change that.
I’m proud to be a citizen of the greatest nation on Earth, but embarrassed by the way this nation has treated the Native Americans.
Richard Jensen, Minot
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