Ron Kemper: Taking offense at athletic team names

I am highly insulted by the racially charged name of the Washington Redskins. One might argue that to name a professional football team after Native Americans would exalt them as fine warriors, but nay, nay. We must be careful not to offend, and in the spirit of political correctness and courtesy, we must move forward. Let’s also ditch the Chiefs, Braves and Indians.

The Carolina Panthers obviously were named to keep the memory of militant Blacks from the ’60s alive. It’s offensive to white folks.

The New York Yankees offend Southerners. Do you see a team named for the Confederacy? No! There is no room for any reference to that tragic war that cost this country so many lives.

I am also offended by blatant references to the Catholic religion among sports teams. Totally inappropriate to have the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Angels or the San Diego Padres.

Then there are team names that glorify criminals who raped and pillaged. We are talking about the horrible Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates!

We need legislation to rectify this travesty. Just the kind of thing the do-nothing Congress loves.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Ron Kemper: Taking offense at athletic team names."