KC Star demands the Chiefs stop the chop

[Hammock Parties]

****ing piece of shit fishwrap

Stop the offensive ‘Arrowhead Chop.’ It’s time for a new Chiefs tradition

link redacted

The image of former Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Johnson banging the war drum at Arrowhead Stadium provided a stark reminder of the home team’s offensive and outdated tradition.

While Johnson led the prelude to last Sunday’s nationally-televised contest between the Chiefs and Green Bay, fans waved their arms back and forth in unison, banding together for the Tomahawk Chop.

It was a bad look for Kansas City — and an affront to Native Americans.

For years, the Chiefs organization has worked with Native American groups to address concerns about the negative stereotypes that have been on display at our home games. The team no longer promotes face paint or headdresses that disrespect the heritage or customs of Native Americans.

And Native Americans have blessed the use of the Chiefs’ war drum in accordance with their customs and rituals.

But the ever-present “Arrowhead Chop” at home games, along with Chiefs officials’ unwillingness to disavow the cheer, are evidence that the team still has more work to do.

“The Arrowhead Chop is part of the game-day experience that is really important to our fans,” said team President Mark Donovan.

But why? Arrowhead Stadium is one of the loudest places to play in the NFL, and there’s no doubt that Chiefs fans will bring the noise — with or without the chop.

The divisive chant is racially insensitive and entirely unnecessary.

“The chop itself is the most disgusting thing you can do in sports,” said Amanda Blackhorse of Arizona to Rally Against Native Mascots, a national group opposed to the use of Native American images in sports.

The continued use of Native American mascots, nicknames and themes in sports dehumanizes Native Americans, Blackhorse said.

“I disagree with so much of what they are doing,” she said of the Chiefs organization’s continued encouragement of the chop. “At this point, they are ignoring the opposition. Shame on them for allowing racism to happen in that stadium.”

Elizabeth Glynn, the CEO of Travois, which helps create affordable housing and economic development opportunities for American Indians, has spoken to leaders of tribal nations and said most are against the use of any imagery that depicts Native Americans in a bad light. Travois works with more than 100 tribes in 22 states.

“No one wants to take away the enjoyment for fans,” Glynn said. “There are a lot of ways to have fun at games. You can do that without labeling and stereotyping an entire group of people.”

Of course, the Chiefs aren’t the only organization that has clung to this offensive celebration. The Tomahawk Chop came under fire earlier this month during the Major League Baseball playoff series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves.

St. Louis pitcher Ryan Helsley of the Cherokee Nation was asked for his thoughts about the Braves’ game-day tradition. Hensley didn’t mince words, and the Atlanta organization immediately halted its foam tomahawks giveaway.

“I’m trying to use my voice to get awareness out there and try to help people in that way, to help people see another side, help people see our side,” Helsley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

While sports teams have paid lip service to racial sensitivity, the Washington Redskins have shown no inclination to change their distasteful and inappropriate nickname. Cleveland’s baseball team was painfully slow to phase out its mascot, which belittled Native Americans, Chief Wahoo.

The Chiefs have taken steps in the right direction, but their unwavering commitment to the Arrowhead Chop is confounding and disappointing. What purpose does it serve? And why continue the chant if it offends even a single Native American?

Chiefs fans are among the most loyal and enthusiastic in the NFL. And there’s no doubt they would fill any void left by the absence of the chop with a high-decibel celebration of our team.

November is National Native American Heritage Month. The Chiefs plan to celebrate the culture during a game against Oakland on Dec. 1. But the organization could do far more good if it used this month to reevaluate a practice that perpetuates stereotypes and dehumanizes an entire group.

It’s time for a new Chiefs tradition.

[Kiimo]

Don't defend the Redskins they have proven countless times to be beneath the benefit of the doubt. Garbage organization from top to bottom.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I’m not against the Chop. But it is curious that the Chiefs have been slowly toning down the Native American imagery for awhile now......and then they install the drum deck thing....

Yeah, a drum is really racist.

[kcclone]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

F the hyper sensitive republicans too stupid to know the difference between a liberal and a SJW, just chiming in here because per usual people are roping every left leaning person in with anything they find overly sensitive.

Are you claiming the Kansas City Star is made up of Republicans? LOL stop embarrassing yourself

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Vaping, sending smoke signals is infuriatingly wrong

[kccrow]

I do not side with the butthurt mother****ers.

[Kiimo]

Originally Posted by kcclone

Are you claiming the Kansas City Star is made up of Republicans? LOL stop embarrassing yourself

lol wut

[Frazod]

There seem to be a lot of tomahawk chop GIFs. I'd never bothered to check before.



Hopefully Mama Cock Holster won't rupture anything while mashing the "thumbs down" button.

[FAX]

We could just change the name to the "Judy Chop" and wait for all the Judys in the world to come after us ... guns a' blazin'.

It might be a long wait because I, for one, do not know a single Native American named "Judy".

FAX

[Deberg_1990]

The KCstar doesn’t give a shit about the redman

Re: KC Star - I didn't read their article, but saw their chop article circulating. KC Star doesn't give a damn about the redman, it's a BS article for attention ratings. It angers me the Star disrespects & uses my heritage for profit/self agenda. My further thoughts in image. pic.twitter.com/dVz2f1BOaM

— Connie Jo (@cjkc63) November 1, 2019

[alanm]

If this hasn't been mentioned before, **** the Star.

[Papi]

The irony and beauty of it is that the chop will outlast the Star.

[TLO]

Build an Indian Casino next to Arrowhead and call it a day.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Mama Hip Rockets

Seriously? You think Chief Wahoo and "Redskins" are compliments?

Did you know Jim Thorpe was the first Commish for the NFL and showed up in full Indian dress to help promote the league?

Can you imagine Blazing Saddles being released today? THOSE people knew how to laugh and laugh at themselves.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by DaFace

This article is dumb, and he might like it, but that doesn't change the fact that he has nothing to do with it. It's like bitching about the door greeter at Walmart because there was a spill in the grocery section he didn't take care of.

your opinion but if he truly didn't support it he'd make it known on social media

It's Rufus Dawes BS

[jerryaldini]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

I'm not against the chop other than it is not original and makes us look like wannabe florida state fans which I AM hyper sensitive about.

I think the chop should go away but not because it is offensive. It isn't offensive. Most native americans that I interact with have zero problem with the Chiefs name or the chop. They dislike the Redskins and Cleveland Indians though. For good reason Chief Wahoo is a straight up 1940s racist caricature

Agree with this. The chop isn't offensive but it's a stupid ripoff of FSU and the chant is just annoying, IMO. Redskins, otoh, needs to go away. You definitely could not and should not use black, brown or yellow skins so why does red persist? Because NAs have so little voice or representation.