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Derrick Johnson banging the war drum at Arrowhead Stadium provided a stark reminder of the home team’s offensive and outdated tradition.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.

[kcclone]

F the Star. F SJW’s. F hyper sensitive libs who assume any mention of race or different cultures are derogatory in nature.

[Giant Octopodes]

Originally Posted by carcosa

I mean, none of those people have been nearly wiped out by genocide and marginalized in this country for hundreds of years but other than that yeah it's definitely the same thing

What does that have to do with anything? How is that related to this topic at all? Are you implying that if your ancestors had bad things happen to them, you should look harder for reasons to be offended? If not, what exactly are you trying to say?

[Bump]

**** woke PC culture and **** the KC Star

[chiefzilla1501]

Unfortunately I think the kc star recognizes it's easier to get a national audience of useless clicks through outrage against the Chiefs vs covering the Chiefs out of shared community interest.

[007]

Originally Posted by Frazod

I always thought the chop was kind of annoying, but I'll definitely partake in it now. I'm all for anything that makes the SJW ****s cry.

Same. I find the chop kind of stupid and overused. Now I'm probably going to participate.

[007]

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

Im only offended when the chop breaks out after holding a team to a FG.

Screw that noise....the chop should occur when a legit defensive play or stop occurs!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Yip

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by carcosa

I mean, none of those people have been nearly wiped out by genocide and marginalized in this country for hundreds of years but other than that yeah it's definitely the same thing

Does it occur to you that a major reason why there are so many Native American mascots is because many in this country were trying to pay tribute to them? Please look at both sides. Acting like the other side's point of view is blatantly racist and unreasonable is being intentionally obtuse.

Why do you name your team something in the first place. You don't name your team something by mocking them or something you don't respect.

I grew up 5 minutes outside of a Native American reservation. I suppose it depends on who you talk to on who is offended, but a kid I grew up with was literally a fan of the Redskins because he felt it was a tribute to his people (which is actually even a mascot name I even find offensive & think that should be removed).

I'm sure everyone doesn't feel this way, but the point remains. Should we remove things in society every time someone doesn't like it? News flash. Some people don't like certain things. It's life.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by carcosa

I mean, none of those people have been nearly wiped out by genocide and marginalized in this country for hundreds of years but other than that yeah it's definitely the same thing

Are we only able to pay tribute to groups of people that haven't been? I'm not sure what the point is either way. You should be more offended because one's ancestry historically has had difficulties?

[kcxiv]

Its kind of like the Kaepernick thing, no matter how much he tells you its not anti military people still dont believe it! I think its both ****ing stupid as ****! No one is trying offend anyone.

[gblowfish]

I think the chop is kind of Hitleresque.

[13and3]

Would this be considered offensive

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I think the chop is kind of Hitleresque.

of course

but we're not trying to kill jews, just quarterbacks

[13and3]

Im just thinking if we change the chiefs to the caucasians then we can just pretend the chop is a handshake.

[JakeF]

I didn't know the Star still existed.

[13and3]

What about the Vikings, that shit is racist too.