Regarding the Oct. 13 editorial “Washington’s loss,” about the use of the name Redskins:

What may appear on the surface to be a divisive and controversial issue isn’t. When seven to eight out of 10 individuals agree on something, it is not a divisive issue. It is not even an issue.

A December 2013 survey conducted by Public Policy Polling found that 71 percent of Americans were in favor of the Washington Redskins keeping the name. A July 2014 poll conducted by Research and Polling in New Mexico, in the middle of Indian country, received the same response: Seventy-one percent said the National Football League team should keep the name. Only 18 percent said it should be changed. And according to Research and Polling, there was no statistically significant difference in opinions among Hispanics, Caucasians or Native Americans. Two other national polls had very similar results.

The real issue is: How far do we allow political correctness to eat away at free speech? When we allow a few activists to hide behind politically correct words and phrases, we are allowing two or three people in 10 to determine what is correct for all of us. As an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, I can tell you these activists do not speak for me and probably not for most American Indians.

It’s time to put this “issue” behind us and focus on poverty, education, jobs, domestic violence and issues that matter, whether on or off reservations.

Ronald G. Toya, Albuquerque