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Lesson Plan

Should Washington's NFL Team Change Their Name?

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GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School

COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening

SEL STANDARDS*: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making

Why is the Washington Redskins' Name Controversial?

There has been a decades-old controversy over the Washington Redskins’ name. The Washington Redskins, a National Football League (N.F.L.) team, has had their name for more than eighty years and has been criticized for using the term “redskins,” which is a derogatory term for Native Americans. Over the years, there have been various advocacy efforts to pressure the football team to change their name. In early July 2020, FedEx, Nike and other major sponsors of the N.F.L. football team asked the team to change its name. In addition, several Native American leaders and organizations wrote to N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell, demanding that the name be changed. As a result, in July 2020, the team announced: "In light of recent events around our country and feedback from our community, the Washington Redskins are announcing the team will undergo a thorough review of the team's name." 

Is "Redskins" a Slur?

Major dictionaries characterize the word “redskin” as derogatory. According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term redskin is defined as “usually offensive,” Oxford English Dictionary says, “now somewhat dated and frequently considered offensive,” and dictionary.com describes it as “often disparaging and offensive.”

Because the term “redskin” is considered a slur by Native American people and others, it has almost disappeared from common usage. However, it is still a strong presence in sports, although even in the sports world, its use for team names and mascots has been on a steady decline. There are strong opinions and feelings on both sides of the issue as to whether the Washington team should change their name.

About the Lesson Plan

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about the controversy, understand different perspectives about the use of Native American mascots in sports and reflect on their own points of view through activities and writing.

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will understand why the Washington D.C. football team’s name is controversial and in the news.
  • Students will explore different perspectives on the controversy regarding the Washington football team’s name.
  • Students will reflect on background information and the different perspectives in order to determine their own point of view.
  • Students will express their opinion through an argumentative writing assignment, using evidence from various sources to convey their point of view.