Former U.S. Speaker of the House and (CA) Rep Nancy Pelosi has forever been one of the most vocal members of the government, for good or bad. She spoke out today against the Washington Redskins, indicating that they should “lose their trademark.”
While definitely a story that most of us in the sports media world have covered and thought about in depth, why is it important for Pelosi to speak out on this subject?
In her words, via the Huffington Post
Redskins is a slur that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office should not protect
What? The federal government has jurisdiction over the Redskins’ name because of what it represents, according to some to be a “slander” against Native American’s. While that might possibly be true, doesn’t the government have other things to deal with right now? I am pretty sure that if it comes down to it, Daniel Snyder and Co. will have to change the name due to public pressure, not an outspoken congresswoman.
Just my two cents. What do you think?
Photo: Kyle Terada, USA Today