George Washington University changes ‘extremely offensive’ moniker ‘Colonials’ after woke backlash
George Washington College accomplished the identify change of its moniker/staff identify after an extended search to exchange its nickname, the “Colonials,” which some college students discovered offensive.
The personal Washington, D.C., faculty has obtained backlash since not less than 2019 from a few of its pupil physique, when college students started a petition for a reputation change as a result of Colonials was discovered to be “extraordinarily offensive by not solely college students of the college, however the nation and world at giant.”
The varsity announced in summer season 2022 that it might formally start to discontinue using the identify after almost 100 years with the moniker.
“A moniker should unify our neighborhood, draw individuals collectively and function a supply of delight. We stay up for the following steps in an inclusive course of to determine a moniker that fulfills this aspiration,” Board Chair Grace Speights stated in a press release.
The George Washington College Colonials formally turned the “Revolutionaries” with a Could 24, 2023, particular announcement on the college’s information web site, GW Today.
“After 12 months, 47,000 factors of suggestions and eight,000 moniker recommendations whittled down in a complete neighborhood engagement course of to 4 finalists, the college introduced on Wednesday its new moniker: the Revolutionaries,” the announcement learn.
As reported by TimCast, the college additionally revealed a breaking news-style video that includes alumnus Chuck Todd of MSNBC.
“The Revolutionaries moniker represents GW neighborhood members as a result of they ‘are usually not afraid to interrupt boundaries and alter the sport. The GW Revolutionaries transcend what’s typical or anticipated to deal with shifting mindsets and creating a brand new future for ourselves and our world’,” the assertion added.
Different names thought-about by the college included Blue Fog, Ambassadors, and Sentinels.
The identify change comes the identical week as close by NFL staff the Washington Commanders considers one more name change attributable to a failed trademark utility. The Commanders have been previously often called the “Redskins” and used a emblem designed by Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, a well-respected former chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe in 1971. Nonetheless, possession deemed “Redskins” to be too offensive and formally modified the historic staff identify in 2020 to the interim placeholder of the “Washington Soccer Staff,” till switching to the Commanders in 2022.
Like Blaze Information? Bypass the censors, join our newsletters, and get tales like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
