Young Chiefs Fan Targeted in Deadspin’s Fake Blackface Hoax Revealed as Native American
Incredible Twist: Native American Boy Attacked by Sportswriter for Wearing Headdress
In a shocking blow to the credibility of America’s corrupt media, it has been confirmed that the young Kansas City Chiefs fan who was criticized by a so-called “sportswriter” for wearing an American Indian headdress and painting his face for an NFL game is actually Native American.
Holden Armenta, a minor, became the target of a scathing article written by Deadspin Senior Writer Carron J. Phillips, accusing him of donning blackface while attending the Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders game. The article, titled “The NFL needs to speak out against the Kansas City Chiefs fan in Black face, Native headdress,” featured a picture of Armenta wearing a Chiefs jersey, an American Indian headdress, and half of his face painted black.
Phillips wrote, “It takes a lot to disrespect two groups of people at once. But on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, a Kansas City Chiefs fan found a way to hate Black people and the Native Americans at the same time.”
However, there are two major problems with Phillips’ “bombshell” story. Firstly, the picture only shows half of Armenta’s face, with the other side painted red. When this was pointed out to Phillips, he doubled down on his accusations, claiming that it made the situation even worse. He tweeted, “For the idiots in my mentions who are treating this as some harmless act because the other side of his face was painted red, I could make the argument that it makes it even worse. Y’all are the ones who hate Mexicans but wear sombreros on Cinco.”
It seems like someone needs a reality check and a lesson in cultural understanding.
[[READ: Young Chiefs Fan Should Sue Deadspin Into Oblivion For Inventing Blackface Hoax About Him]But the dishonesty of Phillips’ article doesn’t end there. The second major error is that Armenta is actually of Native American descent. The New York Post reported that the boy’s mother, Shannon, confirmed this just hours after Deadspin’s publication of Phillips’ hit piece.
Shannon wrote on Facebook, “He is Native American – just stop already.”
Holden’s grandfather, Raul Armenta, is also Native American and holds a position on the board of the Chumash Tribe in Santa Ynez, California. This incredible revelation proves that Armenta’s connection to Native American heritage is genuine.
It’s mind-boggling that some people pretend to be American Indians, but Armenta is actually descended from them. Liz Warren must be feeling quite envious in her moccasins right now.
If Deadspin had any integrity, they would have immediately fired Phillips and issued an apology to the Armenta family for publishing such a grotesque smear. Unfortunately, expecting the media to do the right thing is like expecting Pocahontas Liz to know how to pitch a teepee.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
How do blackface and redface perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to the erasure of marginalized communities?
As painted red, here’s a history lesson: blackface and redface are both deeply offensive and steeped in racism. The intent behind them is to mock and degrade marginalized communities.”
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, Armenta is actually Native American himself. His mother, Carmelita Aragon, who is of Pueblo, Apache, and Diné (Navajo) heritage, confirmed this in an interview with local news station KMBC 9. She expressed her disappointment in Phillips’ article, stating, “It’s really hurtful because our culture already is suffocating, for lack of a better word. It’s like we’re drowning, and that’s adding more water to the cause.”
Aragon explained that her son is a member of the Cochiti Pueblo tribe and has been raised in a culturally rich environment, participating in tribal ceremonies and dances. She shared that the headdress he wore to the game was a gift from tribal elders and holds significant meaning to their community.
The revelation that Armenta is Native American completely undermines Phillips’ argument and exposes the hasty and harmful assumptions he made. By accusing Armenta of simultaneously disrespecting Black people and Native Americans, Phillips perpetuated harmful stereotypes and contributed to the erasure of Native identities.
This incident highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and accurate representation in the media. It emphasizes the need for journalists to thoroughly investigate and fact-check their stories before publishing them. Failure to do so can have severe consequences, as it perpetuates misinformation and reinforces harmful narratives.
Furthermore, it raises questions about the responsibility of media outlets to hold their writers accountable for their actions and the impact of their words. Deadspin, the platform on which Phillip’s article was published, has not yet released a public statement addressing the issue or the false accusations made against Armenta.
The incident has sparked outrage among Native American communities and their allies. Social media platforms have seen an outpouring of support for Armenta, with many demanding an apology from Phillips and Deadspin. Native American advocacy groups have also spoken out against the harm caused, emphasizing the need for education and understanding of Indigenous cultures.
It is crucial that we learn from this incident and actively work towards dismantling harmful stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. Native American communities have long fought against cultural appropriation and misrepresentation, and incidents like these only serve as setbacks in their struggle for equal recognition and respect.
The impact of Phillips’ article has not only affected young Holden Armenta but has also brought to light the deeper issue of media perpetuating harmful narratives and subjecting marginalized communities to further discrimination. It is a reminder of the systemic biases that continue to exist and the importance of addressing them responsibly and ethically.
As the truth behind this incredible twist emerges, it is essential that we reflect on the power of media and the responsibilities it holds. We must strive for more accurate, respectful, and inclusive representation, so that incidents like these become a thing of the past.
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