Friday, January 4, 2008

Please keep paying Courtland Milloy. He seems to be the only reporter around here willing to shed light on a subject that few people want to talk about ["For Cheyenne Woman, It Still Hurts to Hail the Home Team," Metro, Jan. 2].

The derogatory nature of the word "redskin" hurts all of us; the Washington football team's name should be changed. I am not surprised that the franchise's unwillingness to do so hurts Suzan Harjo. Even though I'm not Native American, it hurts me, too.

This is a small symptom of a much larger problem in this country. The name is cruel and racist.

I'm raising three children who won't root for the team, give the franchise their money or use the word "redskin" -- because they've been raised knowing its true origin. You're not alone, Ms. Harjo.

It's time to grow up, Washington.

ELYSIA WHISLER

Manassas