Chiefs Woman behind the Redskins name change says the Chiefs should be on guard - Page 35

**BigRedChief** · 06-25-2014, 11:01 PM

The fight took a monumental shift at a protest nine years at Arrowhead Stadium and it’s about to come full circle. No matter what you think of the issue, it will soon be ubiquitous in and around Kansas City’s greatest obsession other than barbecue.

The Chiefs are aware of it, and are preparing accordingly.

Back in 2005, a group calling itself Not In Our Honor protested before the Chiefs played Washington. The protesters were predominately American Indians, united in their anger over what they perceived as offensive stereotypes passed off as nicknames for sports teams. An older woman, Suzan Harjo, one of the leaders of the protest, met a younger woman named Amanda Blackhorse, then a student at Kansas.
They bonded over their passion for the issue, and that’s how the case known as Blackhorse et al v. Pro-Football Inc. came to be. Last week the plaintiffs prevailed when the United States Patent and Trademark Office canceled the trademarks of the Washington Redskins.

The case is under appeal, but you should know that the woman who took on and (at least for the moment) defeated the corporate entity that owns Washington’s NFL team would like to see the same type of case brought against the Chiefs.
As she says, the spark that started back in 2005 at Arrowhead has created a fire that will probably soon return.

“What happens there, it’s just insane the things they allow to go on,” Blackhorse says of the Chiefs and Arrowhead. “They are definitely in the group (of offensive teams), for sure.”

For now, the Chiefs are publicly silent on this. But they know the fight is likely coming, and they hope a few things work in their favor — most notably that it’s tough to compare their nickname with the one in Washington that is a dictionary-defined racial slur. Blackhorse’s group has also protested baseball’s Cleveland Indians, and that team has greatly scaled back its use of the cartoonish Chief Wahoo logo.

The Chiefs have similarly scaled back some of their more obvious plays on Indian stereotypes, and they hope they have some other advantages when the fight comes. The team is named after H. Roe Bartle, the mayor who was key in Kansas City landing the team from Dallas in 1962. Bartle’s nickname was “The Chief.”

The team stopped using a man dressed in traditional headgear as a mascot during pregame festivities many years ago. In the early 1990s, many of the Chiefs’ defensive players posed for a poster that today both looks absolutely ridiculous and would never be recreated.
The team does, however, play the tomahawk chop during games and welcomes fans in headgear and other stereotypes of Native American dress.

Those are some of the parts of the game day experience that Blackhorse calls “insane,” and why she expects a fight that’s gaining momentum and support nationally to come to Kansas City.

She knows that the vast majority of Chiefs fans will oppose her, but she also knows that the vast majority of fans in Washington opposed her, as well.

She says there is “no middle ground with this issue,” that once an ethnic group is used as a nickname for a sports team, the people in that ethic group lose control of their identity and humanity.

“I don’t want people to think I’m going around pointing fingers, like, ‘You’re a racist, you’re a racist, you’re a racist,’ ” she says. “That’s not the point. The point is we’re offended. You can love Native Americans to death. You can have admiration, love what we do, how we are, whatever, and still (hijack) our culture without understanding it that way.”

Wherever you stand on this issue, there is no denying that Blackhorse’s side is making progress. Teams are sensitive to and aware of perpetuating stereotypes so much more than in the past, in response to public sentiment.

The issue is further complicated by context, that this is a fight centered around Indians, who make up about 1 percent of the nation’s population and who, in Blackhorse’s words, “are invisible sometimes to people.”
That makes getting the message out a bit more difficult. A group of people that feels offended by widespread stereotyping isn’t big enough to get critical mass on its own.

That’s why Blackhorse says the movement needs the help of non-Indians, and part of why she’s so encouraged by developments in Congress and with the trademark case.

There is a lot of momentum here, which can be dangerous for teams like the Chiefs that will likely soon find themselves directly in the fight.
“I’m not sure there’s anything the (Chiefs) can do at this point other than look for another name,” Blackhorse says. “They could be the team that says, ‘You know what? We understand the issue and we don’t want to be Dan Snyder and fight this in court forever. We want to do the right thing and move forward and avoid this entire battle.’ I’m sure fans will be upset, but still, that’s doing the right thing.

“If they want to be sensitive to Native American people, that’s the thing to do.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...#storylink=cpy

Early 90's

Discuss Thrower · 06-27-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

Look. This will have a domino effect. It may not happen for a very long time, but teams with NA inspired mascots are going to have their days numbered.

A team like the Cleveland Indians is definitely going to have to do a complete re-brand. The Blackhawks and Braves probably will to.

But, if we step up and cut out all the little things and start covering our asses right now, ourselves and Golden State Warriors have a good chance to survive with our team names intact for the rest of our lifetimes, at least.

Golden State haven't had an Indian/NA/IP figure in their logo since the 60s.

The Blackhawks aren't going anywhere unless that tribe says the name has to go away.

But the Chiefs days are numbered.. And I'm really not too thrilled with that but it's inevitable.

Heck... If the Chiefs become the Wolfpack and Arrowhead becomes Cerner Field at Lamar Hunt Stadium.. they're a completely different team that I owe no loyalty to. I could be free to be a fan of a franchise that isn't afraid of actually taking a chance drafting a quarterback.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

We got rid of War Horse as our mascot in the past. No one seems to care too much about that now. People won't care about the Tomahawk Chop in the future. Even if headdresses are outlawed in the stadium, people will get over that, as well.

Yeah we'll "get over it" but screw that. We don't have to give up anything. Not to these idiots.

Crying Ramtard · 06-27-2014, 11:53 AM

We got rid of War Horse as our mascot in the past. No one seems to care too much about that now. People won't care about the Tomahawk Chop in the future. Even if headdresses are outlawed in the stadium, people will get over that, as well.[/QUOTE]

based on a trend is fine but based on some bitch complaining is another matter

SPATCH · 06-27-2014, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Golden State haven't had an Indian/NA/IP figure in their logo since the 60s.

The Blackhawks aren't going anywhere unless that tribe says the name has to go away.

But the Chiefs days are numbered.. And I'm really not too thrilled with that but it's inevitable.

Heck... If the Chiefs become the Wolfpack and Arrowhead becomes Cerner Field at Lamar Hunt Stadium.. they're a completely different team that I owe no loyalty to. I could be free to be a fan of a franchise that isn't afraid of actually taking a chance drafting a quarterback.

And Golden State is going to survive, right? They were proactive about putting some distance between themselves and the Native American culture.

We have to adapt. Let's not be the next Redskins. Let's cover our asses before the lawsuit.

Discuss Thrower · 06-27-2014, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

And Golden State is going to survive, right? They were proactive about putting some distance between themselves and the Native American culture.

We have to adapt. Let's not be the next Redskins. Let's cover our asses before the lawsuit.

You don't get it.

You cannot disassociate the Chiefs' name and Arrowhead stadium from native Americans. Getting rid of the war drum, Warpaint and the Tomahawk Chop is window dressing.

Crying Ramtard · 06-27-2014, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

And Golden State is going to survive, right? They were proactive about putting some distance between themselves and the Native American culture.

We have to adapt. Let's not be the next Redskins. Let's cover our asses before the lawsuit.

get off the bandwagon liberal pussy. Again, giving in is not being proactive

Crying Ramtard · 06-27-2014, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

And Golden State is going to survive, right? They were proactive about putting some distance between themselves and the Native American culture.

We have to adapt. Let's not be the next Redskins. Let's cover our asses before the lawsuit.

I don't adapt to fools

SPATCH · 06-27-2014, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram29jackson

based on a trend is fine but based on some bitch complaining is another matter

These are the people that got the Redskins' trademarks pulled.

We just need to cut out the last little bit of team-sanctioned, strong NA imagery associated with our team.

**Rausch** · 06-27-2014, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

You don't get it.

You cannot disassociate the Chiefs' name and Arrowhead stadium from native Americans.

Yes, you can...

Crying Ramtard · 06-27-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

These are the people that got the Redskins' trademarks pulled.

We just need to cut out the last little bit of team-sanctioned, strong NA imagery associated with our team.

LOL nothing has been finalized yet, nothing has been pulled. They failed a decade ago and they will fail again. Plus they were old logos not even used by the team lately.

Discuss Thrower · 06-27-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Yes, you can...

The (Fire) Chiefs?

The (Police) Chiefs?

The (Master) Chiefs?

All stupid.. and the name still still evokes the link to Natives.

**Rausch** · 06-27-2014, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

The (Fire) Chiefs?

The (Police) Chiefs?

The (Master) Chiefs?

All stupid.. and the name still still evokes the link to Natives.

The ****ing word CHIEF is not native american.

Dwell on that $3it...

SPATCH · 06-27-2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

You don't get it.

You cannot disassociate the Chiefs' name and Arrowhead stadium from native Americans. Getting rid of the war drum, Warpaint and the Tomahawk Chop is window dressing.

Would you like to stand a chance when this inevitably goes to court? These are not enormous changes that I am suggesting. They are completely reasonable.

Honestly, the next case that could and SHOULD be pursued is the Cleveland Indians. The Chief Wahoo mascot isn't going to stand a chance.

In the meantime, let's be like the Warriors. Let's put a little distance between ourselves and NA imagery.

I don't want a new team name, do you?

Discuss Thrower · 06-27-2014, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPATCH

Would you like to stand a chance when this inevitably goes to court? These are not enormous changes that I am suggesting. They are completely reasonable.

Honestly, the next case that could and SHOULD be pursued is the Cleveland Indians. The Chief Wahoo mascot isn't going to stand a chance.

In the meantime, let's be like the Warriors. Let's put a little distance between ourselves and NA imagery.

I don't want a new team name, do you?

Changing much about what makes the Chiefs "the Chiefs" pretty much negates the reasoning in keeping the team name.

So I don't know. If it's 2015 and I'm going to a Wolfpack game at Cerner Field or whatever the **** the stadium gets renamed.. I dunno.

That's not the team I grew up cheering for.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-27-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Yes, you can...

Someone suggested going Highlander, replacing the Natives. Red and Gold Kilts for everyone!

06-25-2014, 11:01 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $2869627 VARSITY	Woman behind the Redskins name change says the Chiefs should be on guard The fight took a monumental shift at a protest nine years at Arrowhead Stadium and it’s about to come full circle. No matter what you think of the issue, it will soon be ubiquitous in and around Kansas City’s greatest obsession other than barbecue. The Chiefs are aware of it, and are preparing accordingly. Back in 2005, a group calling itself Not In Our Honor protested before the Chiefs played Washington. The protesters were predominately American Indians, united in their anger over what they perceived as offensive stereotypes passed off as nicknames for sports teams. An older woman, Suzan Harjo, one of the leaders of the protest, met a younger woman named Amanda Blackhorse, then a student at Kansas. They bonded over their passion for the issue, and that’s how the case known as Blackhorse et al v. Pro-Football Inc. came to be. Last week the plaintiffs prevailed when the United States Patent and Trademark Office canceled the trademarks of the Washington Redskins. The case is under appeal, but you should know that the woman who took on and (at least for the moment) defeated the corporate entity that owns Washington’s NFL team would like to see the same type of case brought against the Chiefs. As she says, the spark that started back in 2005 at Arrowhead has created a fire that will probably soon return. “What happens there, it’s just insane the things they allow to go on,” Blackhorse says of the Chiefs and Arrowhead. “They are definitely in the group (of offensive teams), for sure.” For now, the Chiefs are publicly silent on this. But they know the fight is likely coming, and they hope a few things work in their favor — most notably that it’s tough to compare their nickname with the one in Washington that is a dictionary-defined racial slur. Blackhorse’s group has also protested baseball’s Cleveland Indians, and that team has greatly scaled back its use of the cartoonish Chief Wahoo logo. The Chiefs have similarly scaled back some of their more obvious plays on Indian stereotypes, and they hope they have some other advantages when the fight comes. The team is named after H. Roe Bartle, the mayor who was key in Kansas City landing the team from Dallas in 1962. Bartle’s nickname was “The Chief.” The team stopped using a man dressed in traditional headgear as a mascot during pregame festivities many years ago. In the early 1990s, many of the Chiefs’ defensive players posed for a poster that today both looks absolutely ridiculous and would never be recreated. The team does, however, play the tomahawk chop during games and welcomes fans in headgear and other stereotypes of Native American dress. Those are some of the parts of the game day experience that Blackhorse calls “insane,” and why she expects a fight that’s gaining momentum and support nationally to come to Kansas City. She knows that the vast majority of Chiefs fans will oppose her, but she also knows that the vast majority of fans in Washington opposed her, as well. She says there is “no middle ground with this issue,” that once an ethnic group is used as a nickname for a sports team, the people in that ethic group lose control of their identity and humanity. “I don’t want people to think I’m going around pointing fingers, like, ‘You’re a racist, you’re a racist, you’re a racist,’ ” she says. “That’s not the point. The point is we’re offended. You can love Native Americans to death. You can have admiration, love what we do, how we are, whatever, and still (hijack) our culture without understanding it that way.” Wherever you stand on this issue, there is no denying that Blackhorse’s side is making progress. Teams are sensitive to and aware of perpetuating stereotypes so much more than in the past, in response to public sentiment. The issue is further complicated by context, that this is a fight centered around Indians, who make up about 1 percent of the nation’s population and who, in Blackhorse’s words, “are invisible sometimes to people.” That makes getting the message out a bit more difficult. A group of people that feels offended by widespread stereotyping isn’t big enough to get critical mass on its own. That’s why Blackhorse says the movement needs the help of non-Indians, and part of why she’s so encouraged by developments in Congress and with the trademark case. There is a lot of momentum here, which can be dangerous for teams like the Chiefs that will likely soon find themselves directly in the fight. “I’m not sure there’s anything the (Chiefs) can do at this point other than look for another name,” Blackhorse says. “They could be the team that says, ‘You know what? We understand the issue and we don’t want to be Dan Snyder and fight this in court forever. We want to do the right thing and move forward and avoid this entire battle.’ I’m sure fans will be upset, but still, that’s doing the right thing. “If they want to be sensitive to Native American people, that’s the thing to do.” Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...#storylink=cpy Early 90's
Posts: 79,212

06-27-2014, 11:53 AM	#513
Crying Ramtard Veteran Join Date: Jun 2014 Casino cash: $10012670	We got rid of War Horse as our mascot in the past. No one seems to care too much about that now. People won't care about the Tomahawk Chop in the future. Even if headdresses are outlawed in the stadium, people will get over that, as well.[/QUOTE] based on a trend is fine but based on some bitch complaining is another matter
Posts: 1,199