There’s still a long war to be fought in both professional football and baseball over what constitutes disrespect of Native Americans. Will the Washington Redskins be changing their name? The Cleveland Indians haven’t changed their name, but they have changed their uniforms (although the word is you can still find some Chief Wahoo gear in the gift shop).
As for the Atlanta Braves, they’re asking fans to lay off the “Tomahawk Chop” Wednesday or at least tone it down after a complaint from a Cardinals player with Cherokee heritage.
ATTENTION @BRAVES FANS: No tomahawks passed out at today's Braves game after player calls it 'disrespectful': https://t.co/1ubEEN99WN pic.twitter.com/BrywKkG6hY
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 9, 2019
The Braves will not pass out tomahawks at today’s game and will “reduce the Tomahawk Chop” after complaints by a Cardinals player earlier this series.
After Games 1 and 2 at SunTrust Park last week, Rookie Ryan Helsley said he found the Tomahawk Chop “disrespectful” to his Cherokee heritage.
“I think it’s a misrepresentation of the Cherokee people or Native Americans in general. Just depicts them in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren’t intellectual. They are a lot more than that. It’s not me being offended by the whole mascot thing. It’s not. It’s about the misconception of us, the Native Americans, and it devalues us and how we’re perceived in that way, or used as mascots.”
Asking fans to lay off the Tomahawk Chop lasted about two pitches:
And….. it took all of 2 pitches for Braves fans to do the Chop pic.twitter.com/SXS3ZHGG1z
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 9, 2019
— Austiñ Perry (@aperry23x) October 9, 2019
He can go to his safe space in the locker room
— Clay Morris (@ChefUGA) October 9, 2019
The year is 2031. Welcome to the NLCS where we will showcase the Atlanta Red Team and the New York Orange team. Regardless of the outcome, they both advance as no one can be labeled a loser.
— Brook Siudy (@bsiudy) October 9, 2019
Embarrassing. Wow.
— Edward Harris (@edwardharris251) October 9, 2019
I’m so over 2019.
— Sir Charles (@trey_brannon12) October 9, 2019
Well then you definitely don’t want 2020
— Bob Jones (@seniorjones29) October 9, 2019
I’m offended that he’s offended, can they leave him off the roster?
— Kelly Joyce Sr. (@ChopnWoodUGA) October 9, 2019
We are going to try not to clap or cheer either. We as the Braves organization,want to make the Cardinals as comfortable as possible.
— Crime Dog ⚾ (@kmsharley75) October 9, 2019
You don't need it or the music to chop and chant. Get in this guy's head.
— Forrest Clinard (@forrestatty) October 9, 2019
Cardinals player is apart of a Native American tribe. He calls it disrespectful, which is it. Let’s be real here.
— Javon Williams (@j_williams514) October 9, 2019
It’s kind of amazing that the Braves would capitulate because of one player on the opposing team … and then they’ll be right back at it.
Related:
Canadian court considering whether Cleveland Indians' jerseys are too offensive for Toronto https://t.co/ZikIu5XKZ9
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 17, 2016
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