The largest Native American organisation in the country declared today that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s assertions on the popularity of the Atlanta Braves’ moniker and tomahawk chop fan custom are untrue.
Native Americans in the Atlanta vicinity are “totally supportive of the Braves’ programme, including the chop,” according to Manfred, who expressed sadness on Tuesday. That seems like the end of the story to me,” he remarked. The World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros is drawing global attention to Braves supporters who have embraced the Native American imagery of their team.
That claim was refuted today by the National Congress of American Indians, which declared, “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“They are meant to depict and caricature not just one tribal community, but all Native people, and that is certainly how baseball fans and Native people everywhere interpret them,” stated NCAI President Fawn Sharp in reference to the Braves name, logo, and chop.
The topic of Native American names for sports teams has long existed. Certain teams have banned caricatures and prohibited spectators from dressing like Native Americans while attending games. The Cleveland Indians are rebranding in Major League Baseball.
Thus far, the Braves have rejected pleas for reform. They make reference to an alliance with the Cherokee Indians of the Eastern Band. However, not all tribes and groups of Native Americans have been as accomodating.
The NCAI stated in a tweet today that Native American mascots and customs, like the chop, “have no place in American society” and that they have “repeatedly and unequivocally made our position clear.”
Additionally, it requested that Fox Broadcasting avoid airing footage of spectators performing the tomahawk chop at the Atlanta World Series this year.
