The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Defenders of the Washington Redskins name sound exactly like defenders of the Confederate flag did

Backers of each one cite heritage, history and a catchy song.

July 31, 2015 at 6:00 a.m. EDT
Washington Post illustration

It’s not about racism. It’s about tradition, pride, honor, respect.

A defense of the Confederate flag? Well, yes, all of that’s been said in support of the banner many oppose as a symbol of white supremacy and racial oppression. But the same lofty ideals have also been invoked to justify the name of Washington’s pro football team, the Redskins.

Defenders of the name, most prominently team owner Dan Snyder, have (unwittingly, it seems) used many of the same arguments, and even some of the same words, as Confederate flag supporters. With the flag no longer flying at the South Carolina statehouse and the Redskins starting their preparations for a new season, here’s a side-by-side comparison.

[Quiz: Are they defending the flag, or the team name?]

It’s about history

“It’s history. They’re trying to take this flag away. They’re basically trying to change the history and abolish it and get rid of it.” Flag supporter Brian Nielsen of Minnesota, quoted in The Washington Post, July 6. “What I would encourage you to do and everyone else to do is just look at the history, understand where the name came from, understand what it means.” Dan Snyder, ESPN interview, Sept. 2, 2014.

It’s about family

“That [Confederate] flag on top of the General Lee [car] made a statement that the values of the rural South were the values of courage and family and good times.” Actor Ben Jones, who played Cooter on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” on Facebook, June 23. “So when I consider the Washington Redskins name, I think of what it stands for. I think of the Washington Redskins traditions and pride I want to share with my three children, just as my father shared with me — and just as you have shared with your family and friends.” Dan Snyder, letter to fans, Oct. 9, 2013.

It’s about heritage

“I figured I could show people that this flag represents heritage instead of hate.” Flag supporter Joshua Strigel of Auburndale, Wis., quoted in the Marshfield (Wis.) News-Herald, July 24. “We are Redskins Nation and we owe it to our fans and coaches and players, past and present, to preserve that heritage.” Dan Snyder, letter to fans, Oct. 9, 2013.

It’s about heritage (and that song)

“I am proud of the culture, grace and elegance of the Old South. . . . I love the Confederate Flag and ‘Dixie’ as stirring symbols of that heritage.” “Why I Am a Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans,” SCV Web site. Singing “Hail to the Redskins” means “honor, it means respect, it means pride. And it’s that simple.” Dan Snyder, ESPN interview, Sept. 2, 2014.

It’s about free speech

“My Confederate flag isn’t racist; after all, I am black. I’m also an American who strongly believes in the constitutional right to free speech.” Flag supporter Byron Thomas, a student in South Carolina, writing in The Washington Post, June 24. “I think you’re going to have some people that feel a certain way, absolutely, and we respect those opinions. But I hope they respect our opinion. The respect needs to be mutual.” Dan Snyder, ESPN interview, Sept. 2, 2014.

Besides, we mean no harm

“I’m not flying them to upset anyone or protest anything. To me, the American flag and Confederate flag both represent freedom.” Flag supporter Justin Joiner of Marshfield, Wis., quoted in the Marshfield News-Herald, July 24. “We sing ‘Hail to the Redskins.’ We don’t say hurt anybody.” Dan Snyder, ESPN interview, Sept. 2, 2014.

The people are on our side

Reconciliation between the North and the South “is now being undone by haters and people with a lack of cultural historical knowledge and appreciation despite a comprehensive national poll by Lou Harris. That poll shows that 82% of Americans have no problems with Confederate emblems.” Retired Lt. Col. Edwin Kennedy, Southern Heritage News and Views, July 4. “The highly respected Annenberg Public Policy Center polled nearly 1,000 self-identified Native Americans from across the continental U.S. [in 2004] and found that 90% of Native Americans did not find the team name ‘Washington Redskins’ to be offensive.” Dan Snyder, letter to fans, Oct. 9, 2013.

Don’t we have bigger problems than this?

“Permit me to shyly shuffle forward to ask a question: what if this Taliban-like purge of the Confederacy from the public and private markets fails to end the problems for which it is charged? Racism is certainly more deeply entrenched and other purges will be required.” Martin K. O’Toole, Southern Heritage News and Views, July 20. “But the fact is, too many Native American communities face much harsher, much more alarming realities. They have genuine issues they truly are worried about, and our team’s name is not one of them.” Dan Snyder, letter to fans, March 24, 2014.

So let’s change the subject

“Why, in a time of crisis, should we focus energy on anything but what matters most? Flags are not that. Not even the Confederate one. Frankly, the attention paid to its hoisting or display here and there is a futile endeavor.” John McWhorter, the Daily Beast, Aug. 28, 2014. A tribal elder “told me that it was far more important for us to focus on the challenges of education in Native American communities” than to change the team’s name. Dan Snyder, letter to fans, March 24, 2014.

Final answer?

“Once these flags come back up, they will never take them down again.” Demonstrator Andy Bodenheimer, quoted by the Associated Press as he protested the removal of the flag from the Alabama capitol in Montgomery, July 4. “We’ll never change the name. It’s that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.” Dan Snyder, USA Today interview, May 10, 2013.