Monday the Washington Redskins took a large step forward towards keeping their name, one that’s been the center of controversy for years.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that trademarks could be granted to groups even if the name they are trying to trademark is derogatory in nature. The case was centered around an Asian-American band called The Slants, and Monday the court ruled 8-0 that the band should be able to keep it’s name.
The Redskins are part of their own case, currently stuck in the 4th Circut in Richmond, Virginia where it was waiting on the verdict of The Slants case.
Rudy Ortiz may not like the Washington Redskins’ name, but he does like the protection of free speech that the Supreme Court exercised in The Slants case…comparing it to the protection that Colin Kaepernick enjoyed during his protest of the national anthem.
“It’s important to remember in America our freedom of speech and expression is granted to us not only for warm and popular ideas, but also – and just as importantly – for unsavory and distasteful ones such as the Washington Redskins name and logo,” Ortiz said. Personally, I’m relieved that the supreme court has reiterated our freedom of expression without consequence from the government.”
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