Redskins Trademark Canceled; What About the Blackhawks?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled the Washington Redskins trademark Wednesdy, a big move that could lead to a name change for the constantly debated mascot. 

According to the ruling, the trademarks were canceled because they were "disparaging to Native Americans at the respective times they were registered," a violation of the Trademark Act. Read the entire ruling here. 

Native American groups have lobbied for a name change, calling "redskins" a racial slur, but team owner Dan Snyder hasn't budged. The Chicago Tribune reports that the team will appeal the ruling. 

Now, every time the Redskins team name is debated people will point to other teams that use a Native American mascot name or imagery, including the Chicago Blackhawks.

Why isn't the Blackhawks name and mascot held to the same standards? First, most would agree there's a clear difference between using a name that refers to one person or one tribe and using a team name referring to the color of a group's skin. Others say hockey doesn't command the attention the NFL does, so it'll never be as much of a controversy. 

Still, it's a question that comes up: If we're going to say the Redskins name is disparaging, what about other names and mascots that use Native American imagery? Tim Baffoe of CBS Chicago wrote about it last summer when the Blackhawks were in the Stanley Cup Final. 

He points out a couple of other things working in the Blackhawks favor:

For starters, outside of the logo, there is little to no imagery used, like other teams do with head dresses and tomahawk chants. Also, the Blackhawks are named after the Army division in which original team owner Frederick McLaughlin was a part of in World War I. That division, however, was named after an individual chief in the Midwest. 

With the news that the Redskins name could be in real trouble, you'll probably see comments that ask why all Native American-related team names aren't being treated the same way, either as a reason to ban them all or keep the Redskins name. But there are clear differences, and that should keep the Chicago Blackhawks away from similar controversy. 

TELL US: Should the Washington Redskins change their team name and mascot? Should similar logic be applied to the Blackhawks?