NFL fans may want to take note of one ad which will air during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation of California purchased a 60-second commercial which will urge viewers to visit ChangeTheMascot.org, a site designed to encourage the Washington Redskins to change their mascot to something less offensive.
The ad details all of the names Native Americans go by before cutting away to a name they’d never support.
Pretty powerful stuff. The hope is that sports fans may be more willing to push for a name change for the Washington Redskins if they have faces to go along with the name.
Ironically, the song used in the ad was written by a big Redskins fan. As seen on CBS Washington, the song’s creator Tim Cretella didn’t write the song specifically for the ad. Instead, Cretella only knew that his song would be used in front of a national audience and he was (and is) excited for the exposure even though it involves a team he loves.
The whole situation is fascinating. We’re in favor of the Redskins changing their name (honestly, it makes sense from PR, merchandise and common sense angles) and this may be the first time a team has been called out on national television for their racist mascot.
(H/T Washington Post)
