King - Redskins: insult and brand

This project took shape over many years and owes much to many people. While it took shape in the wake of the resurgent controversy surrounding the Washington professional football team, it builds on many established collaborations and ongoing conversations. I have benefited over the years leading up to this book from the guidance, council, and inspiration of many leaders and scholars, including Amanda Blackhorse, Laurel Davis, Stephanie Fryberg, Michael Giardina, Jennifer Guiliano, Jennifer Harvey and Carol Gunderson, Suzan Shown Harjo, Tara Houska, Jacqueline Keeler, Adrienne Keene, Cornell Pewewardy, David Prochaska, Rob Schmidt, Carol Spindel, Ellen Staurowsky, Pauline Turner Strong, Charlene Teeters, Linda Waggoner, and especially Chuck Springwood. Of equal importance, this work derives from the blood, sweat, and tears that countless advocates, activists, artists, and educators within and beyond Indian Country have invested in the pursuit of justice, civil rights, and dignity. To them I owe my deepest debt of gratitude, both for what they have taught me and for how they endeavored to make the world a better place.

Throughout the publication process, I have had the good fortune of working with the staff of the University of Nebraska Press. Their support and expertise have proven invaluable to me. Of particular note have been the efforts of Heather Stauffer and my editor, Matthew Bokovoy.

I am grateful as well to the artists and photographers who have provided illustrations for this book and routinely deepened my thinking about indigenous issues, social justice, and the human condition. I appreciate Marty Two Bulls, Doug Nemanic, and Fibonacci Blue agreeing to include their work. A special thanks to Gregg Deal for his many creative interventions, especially the art featured on the cover.

Over the years, the Colleges of Arts and Sciences at Washington State University have provided regular and meaningful support of my research, for which I am particularly grateful. Of special note, my colleagues in Critical Culture, Gender, and Race Studies at Washington State University deserve much credit for creating an intellectual community that nurtures good work. I appreciate especially the contributions of David J. Leonard, Carmen Lugo-Lugo, Mary Bloodsworth-Lugo, and Lisa Guerrero. I have benefited, moreover, from the hard work of Debbie Brudie, Cerissa Harper, and Rose Smetana. My students have routinely allowed me to engage with aspects of this project, often pushing to refine my thinking and argumentation.

I presented portions of this work previously at the National Museum of the American Indian, as part of its symposium Racist Stereotypes and Cultural Appropriation in American Sports, and at lectures at the University of Graz, University of Maribor, University of Passau, and University of Regensburg. I am especially grateful to Karsten Fitz and Nassim Balestrini for their support during these visits. A presentation at the White Privilege Conference, at the invitation of Abby Ferber, and interest from Chuck Modiano, who maintains popsspots.com, also proved instrumental to my early thinking on this project.

Last, but certainly not least, I must again acknowledge the love and support of my family. My daughters, Abbey and Ellory, continue to inspire with how they think about the world and amaze me with how they try make it a better place. And I really cannot say enough to thank my life partner and best friend, Marcie, for all she has done for me. She has given me more than she knows and made me capable of more than I ever imagined over the years. She is a rare jewel I cherish more each day.