Taylor Swift risks angering Native American activists after snubbing Chiefs tradition

The singer has refused to participate

Taylor Swift

Taylor SwiftJason SzenesEFE

 

Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs have been accused of contributing towards efforts to erase Native American heritage from modern life after deciding to go back on the team’s traditions.

Swift is one of few who has made a stand at Arrowhead Stadium by refusing to participate in the ‘tomahawk chop’ chant. While some view the practice as racist, there are Native Americans who believe the issue could have major implications for them.

Video thumbnail

Taylor Swift almost fainting on stage during The Eras Tour show

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Boy Scouts of America both appear to be erasing traces of their Native American heritage, according to activists, and they believe Swift’s boycott of the popular chant is an example of how Native Americans are being marginalized.

Social media influencer, Maurice the Native Patriot, told Fox News Digital: “It’s a woke firing squad looking to tear everything down by telling us that Native Americans and Americans need to be divided. It’s become popular to think that even seeing a Native American image is racist.”

The legacy of popular Kansas City, Missouri mayor and Arapaho tribal member Harold Roe “Chief” Bartle is under threat. Bartle is a founding figure in both organizations – but he could lose his legacy as American Indians fear he will be canceled.

Not in Our Honor, a Kansas City-based group, said it was “hopeful” that Swift would be an “ally” for them as they look to end the practice. It is believed they feel that the ‘Anti-Hero’ singer’s popularity amongst Chiefs fans could see them follow her lead.

Why the Chiefs are being targeted

The Chiefs have been targeted by people who feel they are distancing themselves from their Native American roots, and Swift’s impact has only strengthened those calls.

“Taylor Swift doesn’t do the chop. Be like Taylor,” said Not in Our Honor, who used the Super Bowl to protest the “tomahawk chop” chant popular among Chiefs fans.

MORE in MARCA

Patrick Mahomes gets his photo with Taylor Swift and fans highlight detail that ‘destroys’ Brittany | MarcaMarca

Taylor Swift fans angry at Travis Kelce after recalling his words about her future children | MarcaMarca

And it seems the AFC Championship holders are in full agreement with those telling them to abandon their traditions, as they move further away from their own traditions.

The franchise has made concessions to protesters in the past that appear to distance the team from their Native American fans, and even banned “headdresses and face paint at the stadium on game day.”