From President Obama to Bob Costas, it seems that political and media elites are circling the wagons in a concerted effort to shame Daniel Snyder, the owner of The Washington Redskins, to change the name of this storied N.F.L. franchise. While an overwhelming majority of Americans in surveys — including 90 % of Native Americans — are not offended by the name “Redskins,” the liberal media establishment, apparently led by NBC Sports and The Washington Post, will continue to beat the war drums until the rest of America falls in line with their politically correct ideology.
We should not be surprised at the tenacity of certain leftists when it comes to getting their way. All it takes is time and money. And, a compliant media which carries water for the cause. One need only look at the history of the gay rights movement and the legitimization of same-sex marriage (a remarkable and relatively quick feat) to understand how the left and its “victimization” industry operates in this country. Many leftists — including the likes of Bob Costas and other mainstream media types — are all too eager to employ shame and “white liberal guilt,” mixed with a heaping, hoppin’ serving of race-mongering thrown in for good measure.
After the political commentary during the half-time show of Sunday night’s Redskins vs. Cowboys rivalry game, it was clear that Bob Costas believes that no reasonable (i.e., non-racist) person could come to any other conclusion but that the name “Redskins” is a slur and that the name of Washington’s football team should be changed immediately. Of course, the fact most Native Americans approve of the name “Redskins” did not deter Bob Costas from making a complete idiot of himself:
When considered that way, “Redskins” can’t possibly honor a heritage, or noble character trait, nor can it possibly be considered a neutral term. It’s an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present-day intent. It is fair to say that for a long time now, and certainly in 2013, no offense has been intended. But, if you take a step back, isn’t it clear to see how offense “might” legitimately be taken?”
If I wanted to get leftist political tripe on Sunday nights, I would switch to MSNBC. How ironic that Costas, and others in the small minority of people who think the Redskins’ name is patently offensive, should now speak and decide for the majority. These same leftists are the ones who are the first to come to the microphone to denounce Tea Party Republicans as a minority, bent on exercising their warped will on the majority.
While we live in a Democratic-Republic, where the rights of the minority are protected against abuse by the majority, we are witnessing what can only be described as a “tyranny of the minority.” James Madison may have warned against the “tyranny of the majority,” but he would perhaps be surprised to know how relatively small minorities of citizens (and, in the case of Native Americans, a small minority within a minority) can effectively agitate for the imposition of their radical agendas.
When will it stop? It will not. One thing that leftists possess — if not the truth or the right answers — is a sincerity of belief and a war-like mentality that takes no prisoners and does not suffer fools lightly. Most Americans are complacent, willing to accept incremental change. Whether they realize it or not, the left in this country will continue to march forward, largely unabated. They will win on homosexual rights and same-sex marriage (they already have). They will win on “women’s rights” and “reproductive freedoms” — abortion on demand and government-subsidized contraceptives (they already have). They will win on Obamacare, despite feeble attempts by Tea Party Republicans to defund it (they already have).
The leftists — sooner or later — will win on changing the name of The Washington Redskins. They have time, money, and, most importantly, the political, cultural, and media elites on their side. Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it. Whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not, change is coming. And, with today’s leftists leading the charge, Custer’s last stand will look like a picnic in the park!