The Atlanta Braves visited the White House on Monday afternoon after United States President Joe Biden invited the team to celebrate last season’s World Series win over the Houston Astros. But the day wasn’t full of celebration as White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had to answer questions about the team’s controversial name and in-game chant.
On Monday afternoon, a reporter asked Jean-Pierre if she or Biden had any thoughts on Atlanta’s controversial name or the infamous “Tomahawk Chop” chant. While Jean-Pierre stopped short of condemning either the name or the chant, she did say that the conversation is worth having and that people should listen to native Americans on the issue.
WH Press Sec. Karine Jean-Pierre stops short of calling on the Braves to change their name and stop the racist "Tomahawk Chop":
"We believe that it's important to have this conversation, and Native American and Indigenous voices should be at the center of this conversation." pic.twitter.com/icAGkcIVS5
— The Recount (@therecount) September 26, 2022
“We believe that it’s important to have this conversation, and Native American and Indigenous voices should be at the center of this conversation,” Jean-Pierre said. “That is something that the president believes, that is something that this administration believes. And he has consistently emphasized that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. You hear that often from this President. The same is true here and we should listen to Native Americans and Indigenous people who are the most impacted by this.”
While the Braves have not indicated any plans to change their name, they certainly wouldn’t be the first franchise to move on from a controversial name regarding Native Americans. The Cleveland Indians changed their name to the Cleveland Guardians ahead of the current Major League Baseball season and the Washington Redskins recently became the Washington Commanders.
Atlanta could be the next team to have a new name.
