The principal of a public high school in Washington, D.C. indicated that he would ask the student government to decide whether or not to prohibit clothing featuring the Washington Redskins name — something at least one American Indian student thought was offensive.
Principal Pete Cahall of Woodrow Wilson High School told The Washington Post that the decision would be placed in the hands of student council members, who would have the power to decide — on behalf of all students, collectively — whether the Redskins moniker is offensive.
“I’ve got no dog in the fight,” he told The Washington Post. “If nothing else, it’s a learning opportunity.”
He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
One American Indian student told Cahall that the name “Redskins” was offensive — a belief shared by President Barack Obama, who recently said it would be wise for the Washington-based NFL team to consider changing it. Since Obama’s pronouncement, various commentators have weighed in on the issue, including NBC sportscaster Bob Costas, who said the name was offensive and should be changed.
Some of the pressure to change the name comes from illegitimate sources, however. A New York state assemblywoman recently told The Daily Caller that self-proclaimed Oneida Nation leader Ray Halbritter is not actually an Oneida. (RELATED: Documents: Anti-Redskins Indian leader not a legitimate member of his tribe)
Redskins owner Dan Snyder supports keeping the moniker and maintains that most American Indians do as well.