I understood the Q to be whether or not oklahoma is an offensive word to native Choctaw speakers. I appreciate the links.
What I’m going to do will count as anecdotal evidence when I ask a friend’s grandfather about it when I next see them for certain business related stuff we’re involved in. So, not really a friend to just call up or e-mail about a native word use.
Poll and thread bumped back to life in light of the US PTO’s decision to strip the Washington Redskins of their trademark protections.
None of those listed particularily offends me, but i am becoming more-and-more bothered by the term ‘Washington DC’.
For the record, I’m a caucasian who would love for Snyder to rename his team the “Maryland Crackers” or the “Maryland Honks”
I personally don’t like the idea of a race being used as a sports team mascot, as I think it dehumanizes them. When you put American Indians or Irish people on the same level as Bears or Hawks, I think it reduces them a bit. I’m not saying they are so offensive as to need to be removed, but I do think they aren’t the greatest, and I’d prefer it if they were different.
If you are going to use them, though, I think they should be positive terms, or at least the terms they use for themselves. And I think it’s better if it is not some type of cultural appropriation, meaning you actually have history of that group of people being involved. I’ve recently learned that cultural appropriation is by itself offensive enough to some people.
(Coincidentally, it was American Indians, who are offended by the appropriation of their war bonnet, aka feathered headdress. Not just because it is sometimes used derogatorily, but but because they feel it has symbolic meaning [each feather is earned] that should not be appropriated.)
EDIT: I decided to vote for those that I think would be offensive to those involved.