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Derrick Johnson banging the war drum at Arrowhead Stadium provided a stark reminder of the home team’s offensive and outdated tradition.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

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by 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

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by kccrow

We have many Native Americans in the area I live and several that enjoy football are Chiefs' fans simply because they think the team embraces and represents part of their culture. I don't see any of them bitching about the chop. They may agree that it's not especially representative of anything culturally, but they sure don't find it offensive. KC Star continues to be a bunch of idiots.

This.

[Willie Lanier]

KC Star can kick rocks

[big nasty kcnut]

I hope the chiefs do the chop all game. The staff do it while serving beer. The cheerleaders when their getting dressed. Patrick mahomes while he having sex with his girlfriend. Keep the chop!

[jimidollar]

I'm down with the chop. I really wish I could have done the chop when I went to Arrowhead, but every game I went to was a loss.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Which reporter?

All

[Chiefshrink]

Has the KC star not learned anything since their failed "coup attempt" against Hill and where they actually live?? In the Midwest, where PC/Progressivism is seen as Communism!!!

Oh I am sure this will increase subscriptions for them, NOT !!!

[Pointer19]

I’d unsubscribe if I paid this garbage paper any money in the first place.

[Hammock Parties]

more of the same trash in KC mag

[TEX]

Originally Posted by kccrow

We have many Native Americans in the area I live and several that enjoy football are Chiefs' fans simply because they think the team embraces and represents part of their culture. I don't see any of them bitching about the chop. They may agree that it's not especially representative of anything culturally, but they sure don't find it offensive. KC Star continues to be a bunch of idiots.

This.

[mschiefs1984]

I am going to chop extra at the Denver game

[ChiefaRoo]

8/10 journalists are worthless. Who cares what they think?

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

8/10 journalists are worthless. Who cares what they think?

2/10 providing any net benefit to society is a bit generous IMO.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by 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

OF course she's white. She must be 1/18th Black Foot or something.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

2/10 providing any net benefit to society is a bit generous IMO.

Well it’s the holiday season so I am feeling generous towards those POS’s

“HO, HO, HO! You’ll shoot your eye out kid.”