Daron Malakian Faces Backlash After Defending Redskins Name

Daron Malakian, guitarist for System of a Down, is facing backlash after defending the use of a racial slur in a recent social media exchange. The incident, which took place on Instagram, began when Malakian shared a post with the caption “Let’s Go Redskins,” referring to the former name of Washington’s NFL team.

One fan commented, “So disappointing you stand by the name knowing the history / meaning behind that slur.” Malakian replied dismissively to the criticism, saying, “I like disappointing people like you.”

When another user suggested he was “just trying to be a troll all the time now,” Malakian doubled down on his stance. “I’ve been a Redskins fan since I was 6yrs old,” he wrote. “I refuse to use the new name.”

The exchange has sparked debate among fans regarding the musician’s views on the controversial team name. The team officially dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 due to its offensive implications toward Native Americans.

Malakian’s defense of the term comes years after the Washington NFL team retired it following decades of protests and public outcry. The organization officially ended use of the “Redskins” name in 2020 amid a wave of social justice activism and corporate pressure. It temporarily went by “Washington Football Team” before adopting the “Washington Commanders” name in 2022.

The term “Redskins” has long been recognized as a racial slur against Native Americans. Historically, it was used pejoratively by European settlers and later perpetuated through media and sports, reinforcing harmful stereotypes of Indigenous peoples.

Native American groups and advocacy organizations have consistently campaigned for the term’s removal from sports teams and mascots, citing its offensive connotations and the perpetuation of damaging cultural caricatures. The eventual name change was part of a broader movement in professional sports to address Indigenous stereotypes, prompting similar rebranding efforts across various leagues.

Malakian, known for exploring controversial subjects in his music, recently released an album with Scars on Broadway titled “Addicted to the Violence” in July 2025. According to AXS, the record confronts themes of youth violence and social alienation with unflinching candor. Still, his defense of the “Redskins” name has drawn criticism from fans who see it as inconsistent with broader social justice values.