The New York Niggers.

The San Francisco Spics.

We are utterly appalled when we see such derogatory descriptions in print. We question the morality of any author who writes the words and the publisher who would dare print them.

And yet, every week you can read of a football team with an equally despicable nickname.

They are called the "Redskins" and the usage of such a handle must cause great pain for many Native Americans.

Still it goes on, week after week, and only blocks away from the very place where such outrageous racist activites are condemned and deemed illegal, our nation’s capital.

It is a constant source of amazement that the people of Washington D.C. would allow such an atrocity to continue. Have we so denigrated our image of these first American residents that we are no longer offended by the ugly epithet?

Apparently, Native American sensitivities are not deemed worthy of our attention. Besides, think of all the inconvenience a change in nickname would cause...for us.

Our arrogance and ignorance is made vividly clear in Atlanta, as well. There you can watch 50,000 or so folk, mainly white and wealthy enough to afford tickets, intoning their version of an Indian chant and chopping the air with foam-rubber tomahawks.

One wonders what differentiates this stereotyping from those of earlier times and different peoples.

I am certain our society would not stand for similar mass depictions of Aunt Jemima or Shylock.

Indeed, some states are finally taking action to halt such base characterizations. The Attorney General of Wisconsin warned that "Redskins" and other offensive nicknames used by Wisconsin schools could be considered discriminatory and legal action may be justified.

Such a ruling is sure to cause anger and consternation for those who have employed such stereotypical names and logos for years. Tears will be shed for ancient traditions and symbols. But it is a very small price to pay to honor our Native American brothers and sisters.

Not too many years ago, Stanford University chose to lead by example and dropped "Indians" as their team nickname. Some alumni were scandalized and many sports fans were sarcastic, but the leaders of Stanford were determined to end their unintentional but ugly discriminatory practice.

Stanford University may now play no better or worse as the "Cardinals" but their civic and moral leadership ranks them as real winners.