By Robin Lempel
Let’s face it, some people just watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. Big brands spend major bucks to show off a new product, or remind us (usually with puppies) why we love our old standbys.
But this year, Change The Mascot is asking us to reconsider a slice of Americana that is long overdue for a name change. In their moving new ad (which you probably won’t see on TV), they show people that the Washington football team would still be amazing, even if they dropped their controversial name and mascot.
The ad, which is titled “Take It Away,” shows one of the team’s biggest moments, a 76-yard touchdown in 2012 by quarterback Robert Griffin III. We see the excitement and the fans overjoyed by the momentous play, but there’s something missing. The team’s name and logos aren’t on their jerseys anymore. But you’re so caught up in the excitement of that incredible play that you might not even notice. “Take it away and it’s still Washington Football,” the ad says at the end.
“Our ‘Take It Away’ spot demonstrates that changing the name would not take anything away from the fan experience,” said Oneida Representative Ray Halbritter and NCAI Executive Director Jacki Pata.
“By keeping the mascot, the Washington team’s ownership is forcing fans and players to support a dictionary-defined racial slur. Washington fans and players shouldn’t be put in that position. They should be able to root for a team that honors the most basic notions of civility and respect. No Americans should be treated as targets of racial slurs – and no fans or players should be forced to support such slurs as a condition of supporting a sports team. It is time for [team owner] Dan Snyder to change the mascot.”
Of course, the issue with the mascot has been debated for years, with many who support the mascot calling it a tradition. But will taking away a racial slur for a mascot really impact the hype of the team or the traditions of their fans? It’s probably worth finding out.
via News
0 comments:
Post a Comment