For the CFL Fans. How do you feel about Edmonton Eskimos changing to the Elks?

[Mansearching]

I never saw a problem with Eskimos.

[Adventurer23]

I see no problem with it. The term "eskimo" is a racially insensitive word that is offensive to the Inuit people of the north. It's literally their equivalent of being called the N-word for black people. The way I look at it, it's not anyone else's right to dictate or be willingly contrary toward what offends an entire class of people. If they say it's highly offensive to them, I think there's merit in listening to them and respecting what they have to say about it.

As a side note: it's also why I don't use the word "indians" to describe indigenous and aboriginal peoples of our land either. The term "indians" was used to describe the look and skin tone of the native people here when the very first settlers came in contact with them for the first time. To them, they "looked like" people from India, and they just assumed they were "Indian". However, the fact that we've literally known they're not from India for over 400 years now, yet people still call them "indian" is pretty astounding, inconsiderate, and at the very least: uninformed. It's pretty sad and pathetic, really.

Indigenous peoples are already the most invisible and unheard people in our society. I think name changes like that are the very least we can do, and it at least shows that we care about the dignity of other people in your country... people who have been here for thousands of years before us, I might add.

Regardless, the old "Eskimos" team has made its history with fans up to this point, and now the Elks will just be a new era for fans and players to continue that history. Some people will bitch and complain about it, but in another 40 years no Edmonton fans will care, the "Elks" name will be a source of intense fan pride, and many of them may look back and say: "Our team used to be called what? Why did they do that?" The transition always upsets people in the short term, but in the long run, it's better to be on the good side of history in my opinion.

[slatyb]

It doesn't matter how you feel -- it only matters how the native people feel.

[musicbrain5]

Because the word “Eskimo” is a racial slur against the Inuit population in Canada.

[Mansearching]

Kinda like Redskins for the NFL?

[musicbrain5]

Exactly.

[Mansearching]

What about Redblacks?

[musicbrain5]

Doesn't seem to be controversial but it's the stupidest team name I've ever heard.

[Mansearching]

@musicbrain5. I'm not to up on the CFL. Not sure if Redblack are a tribe or name of horse or what it is.

[musicbrain5]

It’s literally nothing. They picked the team colours first before the name. Red and black.

[Mansearching]

Interesting... lol. As i said im not totally up on CFL. Like to watch it. Its same but different.

[musicbrain5]

I don’t watch any football, but I knew about the Redblacks because a friend of mine used to work for the organization.

[Mansearching]

Oh ok

[Anonymous]

Not a real fan but I do watch sometimes. A friend of mine plays in the cfl after missing out on getting to the nfl