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So @ExeterChiefs has reviewed its inappropriate and out-dated Native American-style imagery and decided to drop the 'Big Chief' mascot but keep the chief head logo and associated branding. An utterly bizarre decision that is not only nonsensical, embarrassing and foolish but...
...is plain depressing and says a lot about race issues in the UK and why we're so far from fixing them:
1a) The idea that a bunch of white men can 'overrule' the offence felt by Indigenous peoples because THEY decide something isn't offensive is simply downright racist...
1a) The idea that a bunch of white men can 'overrule' the offence felt by Indigenous peoples because THEY decide something isn't offensive is simply downright racist...
1b) The "[board's] view that the use of the Chiefs logo was in fact highly respectful" is itself highly disrespectful - you think your view matters more than all the Indigenous peoples telling you it is NOT OK?! If you respect them so much why won't you listen to them..?!
2a) @ExeterChiefs cites having had "players and coaches from around the world with a wide range of nationalities and cultures" as if that means they can't possibly offend anyone else. Pretty much the equivalent of saying "bUt SoMe Of My BeSt FrIeNdS aRe BlAcK..."
3a) Until now we've given the club the benefit of the doubt that they hadn't seen the branding this way before, as many of us hadn't until the last few years. We accept it wasn't chosen to be derogatory, but once we understand it is how you react to that info shapes everything...
3b) Today was the key moment when good intentions and naive ignorance were replaced with willful intent to be offensive. From this point @ExeterChiefs are CHOOSING to do something which they KNOW is offensive & inappropriate to a minority group. They are choosing to be racists.
As the @ExChiefs4Change statement says, this is two fingers up to Indigenous peoples & all minorities and shows the true colours of Tony Rowe (CEO, Chairman, financial backer).
https://twitter.com/ExChiefs4Change/status/1288513333260427265?s=20
It's also wildly out of touch, incredibly arrogant and strategically stupid.
https://twitter.com/ExChiefs4Change/status/1288513333260427265?s=20
It's also wildly out of touch, incredibly arrogant and strategically stupid.
The @ExeterChiefs4change campaign goes on. @ExeterChiefs you will change the logo and other imagery in the end. There will be no choice. Such a pity that you have allowed outdated bigoted egos to decide that you will take the most painful route to that point. #NotYourMascot
Thank you all who have signed, shared, tweeted, supported, reported on it so far. I hope we, and the Indigenous peoples this is all about, can continue to count on you as we start the next stage
In a world where you can be anything, why wouldn't you just be kind @ExeterChiefs?
In a world where you can be anything, why wouldn't you just be kind @ExeterChiefs?
