Cheap Seats Daily: Marion Barry Blasts “Redskins” as “Degrading and Disrespectful”?
In an interview posted on the non-Dan Snyder-owned Redskins fan site Hogs Haven, Marion Barry answers questions about the city's relationship with the football team.
The most interesting moments come when the name issue is brought up.
KevinE: Dan Snyder recently won a lawsuit regarding the use of the name "Redskins," from your youth and growing up, you played a part in the Civil Rights Movement and have had to deal with many race issues, what is your take on the "Redskins" mascot name and do you think it is offensive to Native Americans?
Marion Barry: I agree with the Native Americans. I think it's degrading and disrespectful. This happened in a time when you didn't have that kind of attitude going on...you know, an era that went on that should have been changed to another name. You know, it's true, and there's others, the [Cleveland] Indians and other places. That's that.
Barry still says he wants the Skins back in DC.
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11:50 am
How is that terribly interesting? There really can't be much of an argument on the matter--the name of the football team is undoubtedly racist, degrading and disrespectful.
12:04 pm
Jim:
as obvious as the name's racism is, marion barry was the skins best friend back in the day, and he wants the team back here, so i found his candor interesting. he's a politician, ain't he? i'd love to hear Mayor Fenty, who has also said he wants the skins back, say whether he believes the name "redskins" should stay.
10:02 pm
Yes, Barry's the expert on what's "degrading and disrespectful". He degrades and disrespects DC residents every day he opens his mouth.