WASHINGTON – The Onion has joined the debate over the Washington Redskins moniker in a satirical story laden with anti-Semitic slurs.
The Onion, known for its faux news stories, parodies the controversy by using offensive terms and phrases to describe team owner Dan Snyder. One disparaging word was even used in the headline.
The story also includes a derogatory phrase to introduce a comment attributed to Sndyer that says “the team’s insulting moniker is ‘absolutely not a racial slur by any means’.”
Earlier this month, Snyder addressed the name dispute in a letter to season-ticket holders. He called the team’s name a badge of honor.
“I respect the feelings of those who are offended by the team name,” Snyder’s letter stated. “But I hope such individuals also try to respect what the name means, not only for all of us in the extended Washington Redskins family, but among Native Americans too.”
The Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism, weighed in last week saying that even though the team is not intentionally trying to offend, the team must be sensitive to the hurt its mascot still causes.
So what do you think? Did The Onion go to far in using offensive language to make a point? Let us know what you think. Post a comment in this story or comment on WTOP’s Facebook Page.
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