Thread by @_IllumiNatives

Today marks a major milestone in the Native-led campaign to end the use of Native mascots in sports.

After decades of advocacy from Native communities, & financial pressure from investors, the @WashingtonNFL team announced in July 2020 it would retire its racist name & mascot.

This week, new Washington Football Team President Jason Wright announced via the team’s blog that the new WFT branding would NOT use Native iconography, mascots, or imagery- including the name “Warriors.” This is a huge win for Native advocates.

The Washington Football Team isn’t the only team who has announced changes. In December 2020, the Cleveland @Indians announced they have decided to rebrand after the 2021 baseball season.

The changes in professional sports has also led to changes in the K-12 mascot fight. Lawmakers in Washington, Colorado, and Nevada have passed legislation to ban Native-themed mascots from public schools.

Research from @nielsen shows that fans & youth are the most supportive of changing these mascots. The Kansas City @Chiefs, Atlanta @Braves, & Chicago @NHLBlackhawks will continue to face public backlash & financial uncertainty if they continue w/racist team names & mascots.

TAKE ACTION 💥

👉🏽Demand sports franchises like the Kansas City @Chiefs, Chicago @NHLBlackhawks, and Atlanta @Braves #ChangeTheName, drop their logos, and harmful traditions.

👉🏽Support local efforts to change the names and mascots at 1,000+ public schools.

👉🏽Educate yourself and others about the harms of these mascots and ask friends and family to join you in dropping your support for the teams and schools that use Native mascots.