Last week, California State Congressman Mike Honda introduced legislation that would remove trademark protection from the team name of the Washington, D.C., NFL franchise, which dare not be repeated because it derogates American Indians as a race. In a news release, the congressman noted that the unwieldily named Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act
will retroactively cancel any existing federal trademarks, and prohibit the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from issuing new trademarks, using the term “redskins” [oops!] in reference to Native Americans. It will formally declare that the word “redskins” is a disparaging term when used in reference to Native Americans, and thus cannot be trademarked under The Lanham Act. In January, the Department of Justice joined a lawsuit to defend the constitutionality of The Lanham Act.
Honda, who for some odd reason refers to Amerindians as “Native Americans,” quotes Jacqueline Pata, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, as saying, “The negative and historic connotation of the word ‘r*dskins’ [much better!] — and the modern day implications it carries for Native people — has no place in today’s society.”
I wholeheartedly support the excision of racist nicknames from professional sports. I propose, therefore, that Enrique Hernández, who plays infield for the Los Angeles Dodgers — a team based in Honda’s own state — be required to cease and desist immediately from using his nickname: Kike. Now before the needle on anyone’s anti-Semitism meter leap into the red zone, it should be clarified that this term of endearment is pronounced “KEE-kay.”
Besides, Hernández is Puerto Rican, which makes him a member of a protected class. Jews will just have to grin and bear it.
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