12 February 2024 , 03:07
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Despite pleas from Taylor Swift and Native American activists, Kansas City Chiefs fans continued to perform the controversial 'tomahawk chop' at the Super Bowl. The gesture, which involves moving the arm up and down in a chopping motion, has been labelled as "racist" by critics.
The campaign group "Not In Our Honor" has been leading efforts to stop the chop. They even displayed signs at the game saying: " Taylor Swift doesn't do the chop. Be like Taylor." Swift, who often attends Chiefs games to support Travis Kelce, has never participated in the gesture.
Despite the message, some Chiefs fans continued to perform the gesture at the season's biggest game. Swift, who was watching the Super Bowl with Blake Lively, had previously attended a game against the Chicago Bears in September. LeValdo expressed her hope that Swift could help bring about change.
"We remain hopeful that an outside influence like Ms. Swift could be an ally for us in moving the conversation forward on why the chop is a racist act," she told TMZ Sports in September.
Many Kansas City Chiefs have backed the club's plea, while others (Getty Images)"To us, that hand gesture is synchronized racism. We implore Ms. Swift to take the time to understand our perspective and the scientific and psychological research into the harm to youth and communities caused by such behaviour."
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The Chiefs have recognised the tomahawk chop as problematic. They banned fans from wearing headdresses or face paint that appropriates Native American culture at their stadium before the 2020 season, but some fans still do it.
"We've done more over the last seven years, I think, than any other team to raise awareness and educate ourselves," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said before last year's Super Bowl.
In a 2020 statement about the issue, the Chiefs said they are committed to "use our platform to create an awareness and understanding of Native cultures, as well as celebrate the rich traditions of multiple tribes with historic connection to our region."