Bringing Back The Redskins? We Just Keep Winning

What if the Washington Commanders' name change was more than just a branding decision? Join us as Billy Deacon, a.k.a. Saigon Pentali of the Kiowa Tribe and advisor for the Native American Guardians Association, challenges the mainstream narrative on the former Redskins name. Billy passionately argues that the name was never offensive but a proud emblem of heritage, representing elite warriors and a cultural status symbol. With compelling insights, Billy reveals why many Native Americans, contrary to popular belief, support the reinstatement of the name as a symbol of pride and identity.

In this provocative discussion, we tackle the broader implications of cancel culture and its unintended consequences on minority groups. Billy, a Marine veteran, provides a unique perspective on how decisions are often made without consulting the communities most affected. Explore the tension between well-intentioned activism and cultural erasure, and learn why some see this as a struggle to reclaim cultural narratives. This episode offers an eye-opening look at identity, history, and the power dynamics that shape them.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:28

we have some breaking news. I just I cannot get enough of this winning. We're just winning over and over, left and right, up and down, sideways, backways, diagonal, horizontal. We just keep winning. The washington redskins who, in 2020 their name, uh, was removed because they said it was offensive, which it wasn't. We're going to get into that a little bit more and they were changed to another name. The Commanders Are going back to the Redskins. They're uncanceling the cancel culture. Let's listen to this.

Speaker 2: 1:11

A Native American group wants the Washington commanders to change their name back to the Redskins. The NFL team ditched that name back in 2020 after years of criticism. Group is saying, quote we are formally requesting the team revitalize its relationship with the American Indian community and rightfully change their name back to the Redskins. You simply cannot erase history and target the Native American community by eradicating the name Redskins. Billy Deakman is an advisor for the Native American Guardians Association. He's also a US Marine and a Kiowa tribe member, and Billy joins me now. Billy, why are you fighting to bring it back?

Speaker 3: 1:49

There's a couple of reasons. First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Saigon Pentali from the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, also known as Billy Deacon, which is my adopted name. The deep, rich history behind the Redskins name, the myth that it means bloody scalps or something derogatory, is what we're trying to dispel. Uh, it's a status symbol for elite warriors.

Speaker 1: 2:17

Only the elite warriors were allowed to participate in the blood roots ceremony to go into battle so of course the left is saying that this is derogatory or offensive, and the Native American tribe who developed the name Redskins and drew up the logo for the team are saying it's not offensive. It's actually a badge of honor and removing it is an insult to them. Interesting that Democrats would do something racist like that in the name of stopping racism.

Speaker 3: 2:56

Be interesting it even says in our fight song Braves on the Warpath. The imagery that you see is that of Chief Tukun's white calf. That's a real person. Oh, it's a real person. A lot of times they say you need to get rid of your mascot. We don't have a mascot. That's a real person. A lot of times they say you need to get rid of your mascot. We don't have a mascot. That's a real person. That was gifted to the Redskins in the NFL by the Blackfoot tribe as a forever gift. That's one of the greatest warriors of all time. So add to that 100 years worth of history. Our fight is to reinstate this, because it was taken away without consulting us, without any of our approval, and now that we're trying to get it back, we've launched a petition. That has just been overwhelming. It's become a tidal wave.

Speaker 2: 3:46

The petition to change the name back is nearly 100,000 signatures. You mentioned the word warrior. You are a Marine veteran yourself Desert Storm and Somalia. Thank you for your service. Obviously, that notion of a warrior connotes a positive thought to you, but we've been told for decades that every single Native American is offended by the name Indians, warriors, redskins. What percentage of the people, the Native Americans that you know, are offended by the name Redskins?

Speaker 3: 4:21

Several polls have been done, independent polls. They all came back with the exact same results 90% of Natives are in approval and see it as a proud symbol 90% of Native Americans approve of that.

Speaker 1: 4:39

So a bunch of privileged white people decided to get rid of the name Redskins, when 90% of the Native Americans approve of it.

Speaker 3: 4:52

And the ones that know who Chief Two Guns White Calf is. It's even higher in those areas. So, after the two polls that were done in 2015, they tried to redo it one more time by offering people 40 words. And what was their response? Overwhelmingly again. Pride came back, proud came back, strength came back.

Speaker 2: 5:20

Billy, to you this as yet another attempt by liberal white America to tell a minority group like Native Americans how to think about their race, how to think about their heritage.

Speaker 3: 5:33

Correct. Yes, sir, that's exactly what we're trying to undo. There's been decades of this. In this day and age, there's still a Christopher Columbus Day, 2023. We're not taken serious, our voice has not been heard, and that's what NAGA is designed for to fight that and to correct some of that that's been eradicated, naga being the Native Americans Guardians Association.

Speaker 2: 6:03

It is a fascinating plight that you're taking up. I am curious to follow it.

Speaker 1: 6:08

Unwoking the country is an incredible movement. We just covered yesterday Walmart, how Walmart is unwoking themselves, getting rid of all their DEI and all of their nonsense and they're hiring preferential based on race and it is a. It is just another step in the right direction. Do you think the Redskins name should come back? Comment down below.