Lily Gladstone’s not happy with the Super Bowl champs’ name … and she says the NFL runner-ups’ mascot ain’t much better.
The actress and activist spoke during a Santa Barbara International Film Festival panel last weekend, before the Chiefs defeated the 49ers … and ripped Chiefs fans’ use of the tomahawk chop — a hand gesture and chant used by fans of teams with Native American mascots.
LG said the gesture is a reminder of what Hollywood has done to Native Americans … pointing out the chant was used in old Westerns before indigenous actors were given the opportunity to play major roles in the movie.
Gladstone said she gets upset when people say the chant is meant as a sign of “honor” … calling it the “commodification” of her people as well.
These arguments are pretty common among activists and groups … but, Lily also mentioned the San Francisco 49ers as another example of an offensive mascot.
Lily pointed out settlers — called 49ers — who went West looking for gold harkened “an incredibly brutal time for California Indians” … so an NFL team using that moniker’s not totally blameless either.
BTW … protests against the Chiefs’ name take place from time to time — with one kicking off before their Super Bowl LVII victory last year over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Other pro sports franchises — like the Cleveland Guardians in MLB and Washington Commanders — have already changed their names in the face of criticism … though their original names were pretty clear red flags for activists.
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Bottom line … Lily’s saying it’s not always the most directly linked name with offensive roots.
