Only Thinskins offended by ‘Redskins’

The May 26th letter by Carl Morello (“The ‘Washington’ name offends me”) pointed to a survey showing nine out of 10 Native Americans have no issue with “Redskins” and that he finds Washington, D.C., (the government there) to be more offensive.

For years, I was the only Caucasian working with a number of Hispanics. They called me “guero” (white) and the African Americans around us “negro” (black), and no offense was taken. That’s just what we are, color-wise. When Europeans first saw Native Americans, they noted that their skin was reddish-copper and referred to them as “Redskins,” color-wise. That’s what people do, they differentiate, like how non-Caucasians now refer to themselves as “people of color.”

I was born in D.C. I am part Indian. The Redskins are my team. Like Mr. Morello, the only offense I take is with the politicians who kowtow to vocal minorities who delight in creating issues where none exist.

I was taught that “sticks and stones might break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” I guess those who are offended for being called what they are, are “Thinskins.”

This story was originally published May 30, 2016 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Only Thinskins offended by ‘Redskins’."