The obligation to use "Redskins"

The objections to the name are grounded in the notion that the word itself is offensive, no matter how or why it’s used or why the franchise won’t change it, and therefore it should not appear in print or online. But if we’re to apply that logic to similar terms or words, there should have been media who referred to this former NFL quarterback as Chris Guy Who Went To Louisville. See if you can find anyone who did.

I’m not arguing that the franchise should change its name or that it shouldn’t, and I’m not arguing that it’s wrong for a media member to support a name change and say so publicly. But I am arguing that even if Snyder were refusing to change the name solely because he was an overt bigot and racist, the journalistic responsibility to provide information to news consumers supersedes the desire to avoid offending anyone.

“Redskins” is the official name of a franchise in the National Football League. It is a fact. You report facts. You call them the Washington Redskins because it’s their name, and because that’s supposed to be your job.