Dean Michaels

A city council member is set to file a resolution seeking to change the Washington Redskins' monicker to Redtails.

David Grosso believes that it's time to change the team's current nickname, which he claims to be "a derogatory, racist name".

"It's been a long time that we've had this name associated with Washington, and I think it's time we take a stand and change it," said Grosso, who is circulating his resolution to other council members for co-sponsorships.

Currently, two council members -- Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) -- have agreed to support it.

Part of Grosso's resolution states that "district residents and their elected representatives should not tolerate commercial or other use of derogatory terminology relating to any people's racial identity, or which dishonors any person's race, or which dishonors the name Washington."

"Washington's name has been dishonored by association with the word 'Redskins,' " the resolution added. "… it is well known in America and in nations afar that American Indians have experienced utmost suffering and disrespect over the years."

In his resolution, Grosso urges the team to change its name to the Washington Redtails, the nickname used by the Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering aviation unit that broke the color barrier for U.S. military pilots in World War II.

Recently, Mayor Vincent C. Gray said he would also like the name changed but Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and team officials have largely avoided the debate, indicating that they are not open to such a change.

 

Washington DC Council Member Seeks Name Change from Redskins to Redtails