Parents threaten lawsuit over Deadspin’s accusation of ‘blackface’ on 9-year-old
Parents of Young Chiefs Fan Threaten to Sue Magazine and Reporter Over “Blackface” Accusations
The parents of a young Kansas City Chiefs fan, who was recently accused of “blackface” by Deadspin, are taking legal action against the magazine and its reporter. The fan, Holden Armenta, had painted his face half red and half black for the team’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Shannon and Raul ‘Bubba’ Armenta, Holden’s parents, have hired Clare Locke LLP to demand a retraction of the story, which had a headline that read, “The NFL needs to speak out against the Kansas City Chiefs fan in Black face, Native headdress.” They are also seeking an apology with the same prominence as the original defamatory article.
In a letter obtained by NewsNation, the Armentas stated, “These articles, posts, and photos about Holden and his parents must be retracted immediately.” They emphasized that simply removing a tweet or disabling the article is not enough.
The family has also threatened further legal action against Carron J. Phillips, the author of the article, as well as Deadspin, G/O Media, and Great Hill Partners.
Holden and His Father Speak Out on “Jesse Watters Prime Time”
Last week, Holden and his father appeared on “Jesse Watters Prime Time” to address the allegations of racism. Bubba expressed his anger and disappointment, stating that Holden was devastated by the situation. He also mentioned the negative comments and disrespect towards Native Americans and their family.
Holden shared that while he was initially excited about the attention, it has become overwhelming and a little scary due to the potential backlash from his peers at school.
EXCLUSIVE: The 9-year-old Chiefs fan, who was falsely smeared as a racist for supporting his team, speaks out on Primetime.
Holden Armenta says this whole thing has been scary and overwhelming. His father, Bubba, says it’s too late for an apology- the damage is already done. pic.twitter.com/8T4WsMsvm6
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) November 30, 2023
Holden’s mother, Shannon, also took to Facebook to defend her son and criticize the sports blog. She clarified that the incident had nothing to do with the NFL and highlighted that CBS had shown Holden multiple times during the game, but the controversial photo was the one chosen to create division. She emphasized that Holden is Native American and urged people to stop the false accusations.
According to The Post Millennial, Holden comes from an American Indian family, and his grandfather serves on the board of the Chumash tribe in Santa Ynez, California.
Why do the Armentas believe that the accusations made against Holden are baseless and damaging to his reputation?
Following the recent controversy surrounding his appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game, Holden Armenta and his father, Raul ‘Bubba’ Armenta, appeared on the show “Jesse Watters Prime Time” to share their side of the story.
Holden, a devoted Chiefs fan, had decided to show his support for the team by painting his face half red and half black. Little did he know that this innocent act would land him in the midst of a heated debate.
During their interview, Holden and his father expressed their deep disappointment at being labelled as racist by Deadspin and Carron J. Phillips, the author of the article. They explained that Holden’s intention was never to mimic blackface or to appropriate Native American culture, but rather to showcase his passion for his favorite football team.
The Armentas strongly believe that the accusations made against their son are not only baseless but also damaging to his reputation. As such, they have taken the decision to pursue legal action against Deadspin, G/O Media, and Great Hill Partners, the parent company of Deadspin.
In a world where misinterpretation and misconceptions can spread like wildfire, it is crucial that responsible journalism prevails. The Armentas are demanding a full retraction of the article and a sincere apology from Deadspin and Mr. Phillips. They argue that simply removing the article or disabling a tweet is insufficient given the potential harm already caused to Holden’s reputation.
The family’s legal representation, Clare Locke LLP, has issued a letter to Deadspin and its reporter requesting that the retraction and apology have the same prominence as the original defamatory article. This is a reasonable request, as it ensures that the damage caused by the false accusations is mitigated to the fullest extent possible.
It is important to note that this case is not just about Holden, but also about a larger issue concerning the assumption of guilt based on limited information. In a society that values equality and justice, it is crucial to provide individuals with the opportunity to present their side of the story and be heard without prejudice.
The Armentas have faith in the legal system and hope that their pursuit of justice will set a precedent for responsible reporting in the future. They underline the significance of accurate and thoughtful journalism, which takes into account the complexities of individual circumstances and avoids perpetuating damaging stereotypes.
Holden and his parents are determined to clear their names and restore their reputation. They firmly believe that with the support of their legal team and the truth on their side, justice will ultimately prevail.
As this legal battle unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of fairness, impartiality, and responsibility in the media. The Armentas’ fight for justice serves as a wake-up call for journalists and writers to exercise caution and diligence when reporting on sensitive matters, ensuring that innocent individuals are not unjustly tarnished in the court of public opinion.
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