by Daron Malakian, guitarist of System of a Down, is facing criticism for defending the use of a racial slur in a recent social media exchange. The exchange was reported on Instagram.
The controversy began when Malakian posted content with the caption “Let’s Go Redskins,” referring to the former name of the Washington NFL team.
“So disappointing you stand by the name knowing the history / meaning behind that slur,” a fan commented on the post.
Malakian responded directly to the criticism with a dismissive tone.
“I like disappointing people like you,” he said.
When another fan suggested he was “just trying to be a troll all the time now,” Malakian defended his position.
“I’ve been a Redskins fan since I was 6yrs old,” he said. “I refuse to use the new name.”
The exchange has sparked debate among fans about the musician’s stance on the controversial team name. The name was officially changed in 2020 due to its offensive nature toward Native Americans.
Malakian’s defense of the term comes years after the Washington NFL team retired the name following decades of protests and public debate. The Washington NFL team officially retired the “Redskins” name in 2020 after heightened social justice movements and corporate pressure amid widespread calls to drop names perceived as racist and derogatory toward Native Americans. The team temporarily used the name “Washington Football Team” before announcing a new permanent name, “Washington Commanders,” in 2022.
The term “Redskins” has been condemned as a racial slur against Native Americans for many years. Historically, it was used pejoratively by European settlers. It was later popularized in media and sports in ways that perpetuated dehumanizing stereotypes of Indigenous peoples. Native American groups and advocacy organizations have repeatedly called for the removal of the term from sports teams and mascots, citing its deeply rooted offensive connotations and the perpetuation of harmful cultural caricatures.
The name change was part of a broader reassessment in professional sports regarding team names and mascots linked to Indigenous stereotypes. This movement has seen similar changes across various sports leagues as organizations have responded to concerns from Native American communities and civil rights advocates.
Malakian is known for addressing controversial themes through his music. He recently released an album with Scars on Broadway titled “Addicted to the Violence” in July 2025. AXS reported that he addresses themes of youth violence and societal detachment with blunt honesty in the album. However, his recent social media stance on the “Redskins” name has drawn criticism from fans who view it as inconsistent with broader social justice values.
