Topline
According to a Morning Consult poll, only 29% of Americans think Major League Baseball should prohibit the tomahawk chop performed Saturday by Atlanta Braves fansa cheering the National Congress of American Indians(NCAI), which dehumanizes Native Americans. The chop was rediscovered after President Donald Trump performed it while he was in attendance at Game 4 of World Series Saturday night.
At a Braves game last Saturday, former President Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump did the controversial "tomahawk...[+] chop". (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images). Getty Images
The Key Facts
Chop chant is a gesture where fans wave their arms up and down while chanting. This is popular with Braves fans as well as other teams that have Native American traditions and team names. The poll also found that 27% of Americans think the use of Native imagery and team names in American sport is disrespectful to Native Americans. This survey was taken among 2,198 adults in the United States between October 26 and 28.
Important Background
The MLB seems to agree that the tomahawk cut isn't problematic. Rob Manfred, the league commissioner, said last week that they would review the use of the Braves' signature cheer following a Native American player who felt it was demeaning and disrespectful. However, Atlanta didn't make any changes after the incident.
Chief Critic
The NCAI issued a statement last week calling for an end to the controversial chant: We have repeatedly and unambiguously made it clear that Native Americans are not mascots and that degrading rituals such as the tomahawk chop, which dehumanizes and harms us, have no place within American society.
What to Watch
It remains to be seen if the Braves will finally bow to the public pressure to change their team traditions. In response to criticisms of team logos and names that were degrading Native Americans, the National Football Leagues Washington Football Team changed their name to the Redskins. The MLB's Cleveland Indians will be called the Cleveland Guardians next season. Trump tweeted his disapproval at the two franchises. He did so after both teams had announced that they would reevaluate what their names were. The Washington Redskins, and the Cleveland Indians, famed sports franchises look like they will be changing their names to be politically correct. Indians, like Elizabeth Warren must be angry at the moment!
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For some, the participation of former President Donald Trump in The Tomahawk Chop was further confirmation of the Arm Gestures Perpetuation of Racism (Forbes).
