Washington Redhawks
{{short description|Culture jam}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
The Washington Redhawks was a culture jam created by a group of Native Americans to draw attention to the Washington Redskins name controversy. In 2020, the team retired the Redskins branding amidst the removal of many names and images as part of the George Floyd protests. The football team was renamed the Washington Commanders in 2022.
Action
On December 13, 2017, a Native American group, Rising Hearts, created several authentic-appearing websites and a Twitter campaign,{{cite web|title=#GoRedhawks|url=https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoRedhawks?src=hash&lang=en|access-date=December 24, 2017|date=December 13, 2017|website=twitter.com|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225160457/https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoRedhawks?src=hash&lang=en|url-status=live}} that seemed to announce that the Washington Redskins had agreed to change its name to the Washington Redhawks for the 2018 season. The sites included one for the team,{{cite web|title=Go Washington Redhawks!|url=http://washingtonredhawks.com/|website=washingtonredhawks.com| access-date=December 24, 2017|date=December 13, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111024718/http://washingtonredhawks.com/| archive-date=November 11, 2018}} and for several news outlets: The Washington Post,{{cite web|url=http://washpostsports.com/news/2017/12/13/native-leaders-celebrate-a-victory-as-washington-football-changes-mascot-to-the-redhawks|website=washpostsports.com| title=Native Leaders Celebrate a Victory as Washington Football Changes Mascot to the Redhawks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201320/http://washpostsports.com/news/2017/12/13/native-leaders-celebrate-a-victory-as-washington-football-changes-mascot-to-the-redhawks| archive-date=December 16, 2017| access-date=December 24, 2017}} ESPN,{{cite web|url=http://espnsports.news/nfl/story/_/id/68393572/dan-snyder-honors-native-americans-changes-team-mascot-to-washington-redhawks| website=espnsports.news| title=Dan Snyder honors Native Americans, changes team mascot to Washington Redhawks|access-date=December 24, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213163631/http://espnsports.news/nfl/story/_/id/68393572/dan-snyder-honors-native-americans-changes-team-mascot-to-washington-redhawks| archive-date=December 13, 2017}} Sports Illustrated{{cite web| url=http://sportsillustrated.news/nfl/2017/12/13/washington-football-ditches-controversial-name-for-redhawks| access-date=December 24, 2017| title=Washington Football Ditches Controversial Name for Redhawks| website=sportsillustrated.news| date=December 13, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213152939/http://sportsillustrated.news/nfl/2017/12/13/washington-football-ditches-controversial-name-for-redhawks| archive-date=December 13, 2017}} and the Bleacher Report.{{cite web|title=Washington Redskins Will Change Name to Washington Redhawks| website=bleacherreport.news| url=http://bleacherreport.news/washington-redskins-will-change-name-to-washington-redhawks| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214062131/http://bleacherreport.news/washington-redskins-will-change-name-to-washington-redhawks|archive-date=December 14, 2017|access-date=December 24, 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/fake-online-web-pages-claim-redskins-have-changed-their-nickname/2017/12/13/07789ccc-e02f-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html|access-date=December 13, 2017|date=December 13, 2017|title=American Indian activists seek to rekindle debate on Redskins nickname|author=Rick Maese|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=December 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214060425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/fake-online-web-pages-claim-redskins-have-changed-their-nickname/2017/12/13/07789ccc-e02f-11e7-89e8-edec16379010_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/washington-redskins-redhawks-name-fake-site_us_5a318d25e4b01bdd765999d0?urc| title=Native American Activists Create Spoof Website To Call For Redskins Name Change| author=Travis Waldron| access-date=December 13, 2017| date=December 13, 2017| work=The Huffington Post| archive-date=February 25, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225160449/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/washington-redskins-redhawks-name-fake-site_n_5a318d25e4b01bdd765999d0?urc=| url-status=live}}{{cite news| title=Fake websites that say Redskins changed name make rounds| url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/13/fake-websites-say-redskins-changed-name-make-round/| access-date=December 17, 2017| newspaper=The Washington Times| author=Staff| date=December 13, 2017| archive-date=December 17, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217124746/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/13/fake-websites-say-redskins-changed-name-make-round/| url-status=live}} After an initial period, a disclaimer was posted on each spoofed page with a link to a press release explaining the group's action.{{Cite web |url=http://washingtonredhawks.com/press_release.pdf |title=Red Hawks Press Release |access-date=2018-02-07 |archive-date=2018-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127181340/http://washingtonredhawks.com/press_release.pdf |url-status=live }}
The organizers describe their tactic as culture jamming, and state that their intention is to stimulate debate that will eventually lead to an actual name change.{{cite news| title=How a Group of Native American Activists Used Fake News to Push for a Redskins Name Change| author=Benjamin Freed| date=December 13, 2017| url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/12/13/group-native-american-activists-used-fake-news-push-redskins-name-change/| publisher=The Washingtonian| access-date=December 13, 2017| archive-date=December 14, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214024834/https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/12/13/group-native-american-activists-used-fake-news-push-redskins-name-change/| url-status=live}} Rather than presenting the continued hostility of the debate, their action provided an opportunity for change advocates to write about the positive responses and outcomes that would follow the change.{{cite news|title=Amazing Online Hoax Welcomes "Washington RedHawks" To The NFL|author=David Roth|url=https://deadspin.com/amazing-online-hoax-welcomes-washington-redhawks-to-t-1821260116|access-date=December 15, 2017|publisher=Deadspin|date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213234405/https://deadspin.com/amazing-online-hoax-welcomes-washington-redhawks-to-t-1821260116|url-status=live}}
Rising Hearts Coalition included Rebecca Nagle (Cherokee Nation), Sebastian Medina-Tayac (Piscataway), Valarie Marie Proctor (Cedarville Band of Piscataway), Jair Carrasco, (Aymara), Lindsay Rodriguez (Cheyenne Arapaho), Jordan Marie Daniel (Kul Wicasa Oyate) and Nick Courtney (Makah).{{cite web| title=Native activists go viral with 'Redhawks' campaign aimed at NFL team's racist mascot| date=December 13, 2017| author=Kevin Abourezk| url=https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/12/13/fake-news-about-name-change-for-washingt.asp| access-date=December 17, 2017| archive-date=December 16, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216052240/https://www.indianz.com/News/2017/12/13/fake-news-about-name-change-for-washingt.asp| url-status=live}}
Response
The Washington Redskins posted a message on their own web site stating: "This morning, the Redskins organization was made aware of fraudulent websites about our team name. The name of the team is the Washington Redskins and will remain that for the future."{{cite web| url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Statement-From-The-Washington-Redskins/d4e82a7f-bc97-4047-b52e-85cd3eb21b22| title=Statement from the Washington Redskins| access-date=December 15, 2017| archive-date=December 14, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214150823/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Statement-From-The-Washington-Redskins/d4e82a7f-bc97-4047-b52e-85cd3eb21b22| url-status=live}}
At a news conference the following day the organizers of Rising Hearts stated that their effort was satire or parody, and were surprised that the Redskins issued a statement denying any plans to change, as if it were serious, or "fake news".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2017/12/14/washington-redhawks-organizers-claim-success-say-articles-were-satire-not-fake-news/|access-date=December 15, 2017|date=December 14, 2017|title='Washington Redhawks' organizers claim success, say articles were satire, not 'fake news'|author=Samantha Pell|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215064535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2017/12/14/washington-redhawks-organizers-claim-success-say-articles-were-satire-not-fake-news/|url-status=live}}
Reaction to the "culture jam" was varied among Native Americans depending upon whether the action was taken seriously or recognized for what it was. Some who took it seriously were elated, then felt betrayed when they found out it was not true.{{cite podcast| url=https://www.thenation.com/article/the-washington-redhawks-culture-jam/| title=The Washington Redhawks Culture Jam: Jacqueline Keeler joins the show to talk native mascotry| host=Dave Zirin| publisher=The Nation| access-date=December 20, 2017| date=December 19, 2017| archive-date=December 22, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222054315/https://www.thenation.com/article/the-washington-redhawks-culture-jam/| url-status=live}} However, the action was supported by some long-time activists on the issue including Suzan Shown Harjo and Jacqueline Keeler, who agreed that it served to stimulate new attention.{{cite news| title=Inside the Washington Redhawks internet hoax, and the latest fight to eliminate a racial slur| author=Tyler Tynes| date=December 20, 2017| url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/20/16797408/washington-redhawks-football-team-name-protest-internet-hoax| access-date=December 20, 2017| archive-date=December 22, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052253/https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/20/16797408/washington-redhawks-football-team-name-protest-internet-hoax| url-status=live}} In an interview, the organizers took exception to the framing of their action as a "hoax", which has negative connotations of intending to mislead, which was not their intent.{{cite magazine| title=Rising Hearts Protesters on Why They 'Changed' the Washington NFL Team Name to the 'Redhawks'| author=Katie Toth| date=December 19, 2017| url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/why-rising-hearts-protesters-washington-nfl-team-name-redhawks| magazine=Teen Vogue| access-date=December 20, 2017| archive-date=December 22, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051157/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/why-rising-hearts-protesters-washington-nfl-team-name-redhawks| url-status=live}}
Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell wrote based upon his experience when his alma mater, Amherst College, changed its mascot in 2016 from "Lord Jeff" to the "Mammoths". Although he was as attached to his team's mascot as any fan, he understood the reason for the change, and got over it quickly. The reason was letters that were discovered revealing that Lord Jeffery Amherst had advocated the use of smallpox-infected blankets as a weapon against Native Americans not to defeat, but to exterminate them. "Nicknames such as the Lord Jeffs and the Redskins are two illustrations of the same issue. In the beginning, no one means any harm. But once you know better, and don’t change, that's when the harm starts."{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/changing-a-nickname-seems-like-a-seismic-shift-but-its-rarely-a-mammoth-deal/2017/12/14/c4494cba-e0d5-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html|access-date=December 15, 2017|date=December 14, 2017|title=Changing a nickname seems like a seismic shift, but it's rarely a Mammoth deal|author=Thomas Boswell|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=December 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217071347/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/changing-a-nickname-seems-like-a-seismic-shift-but-its-rarely-a-mammoth-deal/2017/12/14/c4494cba-e0d5-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html|url-status=live}} Boswell later explained that while dropping the team nickname, which was never official, was no big deal; changing the name of the town and college also named for the same person would be difficult.{{cite news| url=https://live.washingtonpost.com/ask-boswell-20171218.html| access-date=December 18, 2017| date=December 18, 2017| title=Ask Boswell: Redskins, Nationals and Washington sports| newspaper=The Washington Post| archive-date=December 22, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051607/https://live.washingtonpost.com/ask-boswell-20171218.html| url-status=live}}
In Forbes, Demetrius Bell compliments the creators, stating "The best part of any hoax is ultimately how believable the hoax could be and from top to bottom, this is one of the more believable hoaxes that you'll see. If the team did indeed make the incredibly shocking decision to change their nickname and logo, then it wouldn't be a huge shock to see them go the conservative route with a change as relatively simple as this."{{cite magazine|title=The Washington Redhawks Hoax Is Actually A Well-Executed Concept Design|author=Demetrius Bell|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/demetriusbell/2017/12/15/the-washington-redhawks-hoax-is-actually-a-well-executed-concept-design/#8ada67b121ba|access-date=December 15, 2017|magazine=Forbes|date=December 15, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215154354/https://www.forbes.com/sites/demetriusbell/2017/12/15/the-washington-redhawks-hoax-is-actually-a-well-executed-concept-design/#8ada67b121ba|url-status=live}}
In July 2020, the team retired the Redskins branding amidst the removal of many names and images as part of the George Floyd protests.{{cite magazine|last=McDonald|first=Scott|title=Washington Redskins Urged to Lose Name, or Millions in Sponsorships|url=https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894|magazine=Newsweek|date=July 1, 2020|access-date=July 3, 2020|archive-date=July 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703123716/https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Liz |title=FedEx calls on Redskins to change name following investors' demands on sponsors |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/02/fedex-redskins-name-change/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 2, 2020 |language=en |access-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428195146/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/02/fedex-redskins-name-change/ |url-status=live }} On February 2, 2022, the team was renamed the Washington Commanders.
Parody websites
{{reflist|group="parody"}}
References
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{{Native American mascot controversy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington Redskins Name Controversy}}
Category:21st-century controversies
Category:Anti-Indigenous racism in the United States
Category:Native American cultural appropriation
Category:Native American topics
Category:Native American-related controversies