Post by Association on American Indian Affairs

The Washington Commanders' new logo is just rebranding harm. Calling this a "legacy" does not change what the legacy actually is: decades of a racist name and mascot. Introducing a spear to the logo and using "warriors" and "spirit" while describing it as "joining of past and present" simply invokes the same stereotypes that caused the harm in the first place.   This new logo follows last summer's public statement from the current President calling for a return to harmful Native themed names—a statement we condemned at the time. Those remarks, and the actions taken since, reflected a broader pattern of disrespect toward Nation Nations while real harms continue like threats to our lands and Sacred places to cuts impacting programs that serve Native Peoples.   The Washington Commanders' decision to update their logo is disappointing and inappropriate to say the least. It is time to stop repeating this cycle and listen to Native Peoples who have been clear, consistent, and unwavering on this issue: We are not your mascot.