Nine out of 10 Native Americans are not offended by the Washington Redskin’s name, according to a new poll.
Despite a national push to change the football team’s name and logo, the vast majority of Native American adults nationwide said they do not find the name offensive. Only 9 percent called the name offensive, and 1 percent have no opinion, according to a new Washington Post poll.
The poll bodes well for Dan Snyder, the team’s owner who has vowed that the name doesn’t need to be changed.
The team is currently in the middle of a legal battle over the loss of its federal trademark registration, which has put a cloud over where another possible stadium might be built in the Washington, D.C., area.
“The Washington Redskins team, our fans and community have always believed our name represents honor, respect and pride,” Snyder said in a statement. “Today’s Washington Post polling shows Native Americans agree. We are gratified by this overwhelming support from the Native American community, and the team will proudly carry the Redskins name.”
The vast majority of every demographic sampled said they were not offended by the team’s name, including 80 percent who identify as politically liberal, 85 percent of college graduates, 90 percent of those enrolled in a tribe, 90 percent of non-football fans and 91 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 39.
Another 73 percent said they do not feel the word “Redskin” is disrespectful of Native Americans, and nearly 80 percent said they would not be “personally offended” if a non-Native American called them that name.
One poll participant even said she’s “proud of being Native American and of the Redskins.”
The telephone-based poll of a random sample of 504 Native American adults was conducted Dec. 16-April 12 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points.
