ESPN's "Outside the Lines" examined the "Native
American sports experience," with ESPN's Greg Garber
reporting on the controversial use of Native American
references for sports teams, logos and mascots. Garber: "No
name inflames Natives more than the Washington Redskins."
American Indian Rights Advocate Suzan Shown Hario: "It is
the equivalent of the worst thing that any other person, any
other group, can be called." The team "declined to discuss
the matter," but Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder "has said he
will not change the name." The Indians "claim they took
their name ... to honor the first full-blooded Native
American to play in [MLB]," Louis Sockalexis. But Ithaca
College Professor Ellen Staurowsky says that the Indians
"were actually named by sportswriters, with no apparent
intent to honor Sockalexis." Staurowsky: "It disappoints me
that the club is willing to miseducate the American public
about the story." Indians officials "refused to be
interviewed on the subject." Garber reported that "some
teams" have made changes. While Braves officials "refused
to speak" on camera, they are "having ongoing discussions
with activists." The team "has no plans to change" the
name, but activists say the Braves have pledged "more than"
$1M "for a campaign to educate the public about Native
American culture" ("Outside The Lines," 11/16).
