In an article published Monday, a writer for Deadspin caused a wave of controversy after arguing that the NFL needed to “speak out” against a fan for finding “a way to hate Black people and the Native Americans at the same time.”
The article was about a young Kansas City Chiefs fan who was guilty of wearing blackface and Indigenous headdress to a recent game.
The CBS camera angle that seemingly caught the fan in blackface actually filmed him in profile on one side so many thought he was in blackface. The fan — identified as Holden Armenta — is seen with black paint on one side of his face and red paint on the other.
It is worth noting that the team’s primary colors are red, white, and gold.
Longtime journalist Kevin Blackistone took it upon himself to speak with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians about this situation.
Kenneth Kahn, the tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, had a lengthy response.
“We are aware that a young member of our community attended a Kansas City Chiefs game in a headdress and face paint in his way of supporting his favorite team,” the statement read. “Please keep in mind that the decisions made by individuals or families in our community are their own and may not reflect the views of the broader tribal community. As a federally recognized tribe, the Santa Ynez Band Chumash Indians does not endorse wearing regalia as part of a costume or participating in any other type of cultural appropriation.”
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While the game was played in Las Vegas, the Chiefs have banned fans from wearing headdresses and face paint, along with the tomahawk chop, inside Arrowhead Stadium since September 2020 following complaints of racism.
However, even though the chop is banned, it is nearly impossible to stop thousands of people from doing it at the game as they can be heard pretty much every home game. Armenta was shown on national TV and was also videoed doing the “tomahawk chop” along with tens of thousands of fans in attendance. Even some Chiefs players were doing the gesture on the field.
Shannon Armenta, the boy’s mother, said the photo published in the Deadspin article was used to “create division.” She also pointed out that her son is Native American.
“This has nothing to do with the NFL,” she wrote on Facebook. “Also, CBS showed him multiple times and this is the photo people chose to blast to create division. He is Native American – just stop already.”
