(Mikias Girma, The Sheba Post | Washington DC)

During football season, we see friction in DC. People either argue or call each other bad names. If you look outside, you’ll see a rainbow, people wearing burgundy, gold, blue, purple, silver and black.

I understand DC is the melting pot, people coming from everywhere and bringing their hometown teams. But how come people from DC don’t root for the hometeam Redskins? I asked my friends these questions:

Why aren’t you a Redskins fan?

Abel Meri said, “Redskins underperform, leaving a void of excitement.” To get excitement, Savvy Abel has had 20 different teams in 20 years.

Brian Aiken said, “I don’t like the Deadskins because of their fans. They talk too much to have a sorry team, and they bring up three Super Bowls that were in the 80’s and 91.” Brian started rooting for the Ravens years ago.

DeMoyne White said, “Their management is terrible to be a billion dollar team. Their fans are loyal but they predict Super Bowl every year.”

Bill Hoffman said, “Redskins coach sucks and their fans suck.”

Noelia Malave said, “My problem is really with the fans. They are more fanatics than fans. As soon as they start losing they lose faith in them and want everyone fired.”

Tameika Robinson said, “I root for the 49ers because I can’t stand the Redskins uniform.”

Are you a Redskins fan?

Abel Mengisteab yelled, “Hell No” in English, Amharic and Tigrinya.

Henock Terrefe also yelled, “Hell No! DC area sport teams are cursed. That’s the best answer I can give you. I was surrounded by bunch of Skins fans so I had to find another team that they despise so I can be different than the majority.” Henock not only started rooting for the Dallas Cowboys but also moved to Dallas.

What do you think of the Redskins?

Belean Getachew yelled, “Booooo!” What do you think of their fans? She yelled, “Boooooo.” Do you have anything else to add? She yelled, “Booooo.” When it comes to the Redskins, Belean only speaks “Boooo.”

Why did you become a Redskins fan and what do you think about the Cowboys fans?

Mike Gebreselassie said, “It’s my home team who I’ve been rooting for since a kid. As far as rooting for Dallas 90% of them have never been to Texas. They’re just bandwagon riders.”

Derrick Harrel said, “I root for all DC teams, because I’m a homer. Some people look for success right away, but they’re not true fans. I keep it real. That’s why you have these DC Ravens, Steelers and Dallas fans.”

Bryan Carr said, “I’m a Skins fan, because I’m loyal to my home teams. I think people not born in Texas that like Cowboys are bandwagoners… Period.”

Beakal Melaku said, “I just don’t get Cowboys fans. They’re just hating and looking for attention. I can’t stand them.”

Yohannes Gebresselassie said, “I started rooting for the Skins because I realized I’m from this area. People who root for the Cowboys that are from this area most likely just grew up watching them on tv. I feel sorry for them. They are lost.”

Mo Nursani said, “The first time I saw a football game was when I was in Ethiopia. It was Redskins vs Cowboys, and I just loved the Skins. DC folks rooting for Cowgirls should be deported.”

Fana Devine added, “The reason I root for the Redskins is Hope. Hope that one day they will be the same team that made us proud in 92! For the traders, I say you traders afer belu (eat dirt).”

Monica Archondo said, “I root for Skins, because I’m from DC. Cowboys fans don’t bother me unless they’re haters.” Amy Girma called Redskins haters, “nonsense!” Lelai said, “f them.” I hope he meant “fine them.” Darnita called them, “suckers.”

One fan didn’t want to be a Redskins nor a Cowboys fan. Feben Wolde, an Eagles fan, said, “DeadSkins are as bad as Cowgirls. I think DC people root for Cowgirls to have a shot of winning but that’s a hallucination.”

For the Redskins fans, the consensus is loyalty. For the non-Redskins fans, they seem to be annoyed with the Redskins and their fans, causing them to root for other teams.

After they all vented and said what bothered them, the air seems clear in DC. Will the clear air stay when football starts? We shall see. But during football season, like Rodney King said, “Can’t we all just get along.”