One Native American group has high hopes Taylor Swift will swoop in and put an end to the Kansas City Chief fans’ signature tomahawk chop. .The group, Not in Our Honor (NIOR), believes Swift, who was present at the Chiefs game Sunday and linked to the team's Travis Kelce, has enough influence that fans will change their tune based on her point of view. .Rhonda LeValdo, spokesperson for NIOR, said the group hopes Swift’s presence at the game over the weekend can make an impact on fans’ behaviour regarding the chop..LeValdo was outside the stadium Sunday protesting with other Native American activist groups and after seeing Swift in the stands with Donna Kelce, her boyfriend’s mother, she got the idea Swift’s influence may convince Chiefs' fans to stop the tomahawk chop — and maybe even convince the team to change their name. .A video from the game shows fans doing the chop, with Swift in the shot not doing the chop. The popstar rather danced in place, but made no comment. It is unclear if this action is intended to communicate a message or not, however, the moment encouraged LeValdo and her group. .“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,” LeValdo told TMZ. “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,” she continued. .The chop dates back in history to when settlers first came to North America. NIOR assert the chop gesture is disrespectful of Native Americans. .LeValdo, along with other Native American groups, protested at Superbowl LVII in February for the Chiefs to change their team name, replace their team mascot and drop the tomahawk chop. .Mark Donovan, president of the Chiefs, has not given any indication he intends to make any changes. .“We also respect that we need to continue to educate and raise awareness of the Native American culture and the things we do to celebrate, that we’ve done more over the last seven years — I think — than any other team to raise awareness and educate ourselves," Donovan said, according to Fox News.
One Native American group has high hopes Taylor Swift will swoop in and put an end to the Kansas City Chief fans’ signature tomahawk chop. .The group, Not in Our Honor (NIOR), believes Swift, who was present at the Chiefs game Sunday and linked to the team's Travis Kelce, has enough influence that fans will change their tune based on her point of view. .Rhonda LeValdo, spokesperson for NIOR, said the group hopes Swift’s presence at the game over the weekend can make an impact on fans’ behaviour regarding the chop..LeValdo was outside the stadium Sunday protesting with other Native American activist groups and after seeing Swift in the stands with Donna Kelce, her boyfriend’s mother, she got the idea Swift’s influence may convince Chiefs' fans to stop the tomahawk chop — and maybe even convince the team to change their name. .A video from the game shows fans doing the chop, with Swift in the shot not doing the chop. The popstar rather danced in place, but made no comment. It is unclear if this action is intended to communicate a message or not, however, the moment encouraged LeValdo and her group. .“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,” LeValdo told TMZ. “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,” she continued. .The chop dates back in history to when settlers first came to North America. NIOR assert the chop gesture is disrespectful of Native Americans. .LeValdo, along with other Native American groups, protested at Superbowl LVII in February for the Chiefs to change their team name, replace their team mascot and drop the tomahawk chop. .Mark Donovan, president of the Chiefs, has not given any indication he intends to make any changes. .“We also respect that we need to continue to educate and raise awareness of the Native American culture and the things we do to celebrate, that we’ve done more over the last seven years — I think — than any other team to raise awareness and educate ourselves," Donovan said, according to Fox News.
