A day before a symposium convenes in Washington regarding the Redskins name and a day after President Barack Obama said owner Daniel Snyder should think about changing it, the organized effort to push for change has pushed its efforts forward.
The “Let’s Change the Name Campaign” has announced the results of a poll that counters an Associated Press suggesting broad support (or, perhaps more accurately, limited opposition) to the name. The new poll presented questions regarding opposition to broadcasters ceasing to use the name (63 percent would not be opposed), support for the team if the name is changed (84 percent would continue to support the team), willingness to buy memorabilia if a new name is introduced (61 percent would).
The poll included only 100 Washingtonians; the AP poll from earlier this year included 1,004. Still, the effort shows that opposition to the name is real and increasingly organized.
The group also has lobbied the FCC to convene a meeting of broadcasters aimed at discussing whether the name should continue to be used on the public airwaves.
At some point, it makes sense to start identifying possible alternatives. The survey specifically mentions terms like “‘Skins” and “Senators.” The team’s current logo potentially could be maintained if the new name reflects the name of a specific tribe -- and if the name is used with the tribe’s express endorsement.
Of course, none of it matters unless owner Daniel Snyder reverses a course that earlier this year prompted him to say he’d “never” change the name. Nothing he or the organization have done points to any willingness to do anything other than disagree with those who believe the name should change.