If it weren’t for The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, I wouldn’t know anything about what’s going on in the world. I find host Stephen Colbert’s satire more appealing than the straightforward news anchor, and I like how he’s able to call out news stations and newsworthy figures on their poor story coverage and bad behavior. However, Colbert’s latest satirical jab has backfired.
During a Colbert Report episode on March 26, Colbert discussed the Washington Redskins Orgininal Americans Foundation (founded by Redskins owner Dan Snyder), an organization that benefits Native Americans, according to cleveland.com:
“Folks, this move by Dan Snyder inspires me, because my show has frequently come under attack for having a so-called offensive mascot, my beloved character Ching Chong Ding Dong. … Offensive or not––NOT––Ching Chong is part of the unique heritage of the Colbert Nation that cannot change. But I’m willing to show the Asian community that I care by introducing the Ching Chong Ding Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever. … I owe all this sensitivity to Redskins owner Dan Snyder. So Asians, send your thank-you letters to him, not me,” Colbert said.
The main controversy surrounding Colbert’s joke came after a tweet from The Colbert Report’s twitter account, which read, “I am willing to show #Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever.”
Those who saw the tweet were offended by Colbert’s comment and #CancelColbert was soon trending. Colbert’s supporters and condemners battled it out on Twitter.
I can understand people getting upset over the tweet if they hadn’t seen the entire skit on The Colbert Report. I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, so I grew up hearing a lot about the Redskins. Every now and then, the Redskins are pressured by Native Americans to change their name due to its racist nature.
While it was nice of Snyder to set up the foundation, I couldn’t help but feel like he was thinking, “How much money do I have to throw at the problem until it goes away?”
Suzan Shown Harjo, a longtime supporter of changing the Redskins’ name, called the creation of the foundation “somewhere between a PR assault and bribery,” according to The Big Story. The writers of The Colbert Report were satirizing Snyder’s decision to set up the foundation while the Washington Redskins are still named with a slur, especially since they included the offensive term in the title of this foundation meant to help those they are being derogatory against.
The Twitter mobs should have probably checked some facts before getting angry and overreacting, although I know that doing some research before speaking is not a strength of most people who comment on the Internet. As for the writers over at The Colbert Report, they probably should have thought through that tweet a little more; it was a little too out of context They usually do a good job with this sort of thing, but hey, we all have our off days.
Unfortunately, due to the controversy, people aren’t focusing on the issue of the Redskins’ name. I’m aware that football is full of tradition, and the NFL won’t change the name of a team unless they absolutely must, but c’mon––it’s a racial slur. Snyder has no plans to change the name, saying it “captures the best of who we are and who we can be, by staying true to our history and honoring the deep and enduring values our name represents,” according to The Big Story.
The enduring value here seems to be a stubbornness in continuing to use an offensive name. Call me crazy, but I don’t see why Snyder would be proud of that.
Change occurs over the years because people grow wiser, implement more ethical laws and realize that some ideas aren’t as good as they originally thought. That’s why we no longer have slavery, use chloroform as an anesthetic or wear bell bottoms. While the name “Redskins” may be rooted in tradition, I think it’s time they change the name. Whether the name is changed or not, Colbert’s show shouldn’t be cancelled, especially due to the overreaction of a poorly executed tweet.
Jake Koniszewski can be reached at john.koniszewski@spartans.ut.edu