I wonder why no one has complained about the films White Chicks or White Men Cant Jump.  All being equal, surely they should be banned now also??

But yes, the monkey on the box did offend someone. And a very public someone.

Yes, very famous for serving a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice.

A qualified solicitor ...

Was. She has been struck from the roll.

... and former MP.

She was expelled from the Labour Party and lost her seat as the result of a recall petition.

When the row broke, people came forward to support her.

When she announced she had emailed Kellogs on Twitter she was widely mocked.

Yes, very famous for serving a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Was. She has been struck from the roll.

She was expelled from the Labour Party and lost her seat as the result of a recall petition.

When she announced she had emailed Kellogs on Twitter she was widely mocked.

Tut tut BB surely you are not saying that the opinions of lying criminal sacked lawyer and MP shouldn't be treated with the utmost seriousness?

Well, this discussion "Can a bunch of white rugby fans sing a song written by an ex-slave" is a bit like the discussion that was going on in the 60s "can a white man sing the blues?".

For some people, the blues was seen as only authentic if someone who had suffered was singing it. Thus when Muddy Waters sang the blues, you're talking of a man who grew up in the Great Depression in Mississippi, and therefore had seen authentic death, trouble and destruction. His performances were therefore "real". Compare and contrast with the Rolling Stones, who undoubtedly worshipped at the altar of the blues, but Mick Jagger singing of the troubles he's seen was somehow inauthentic. But perhaps he's acting being a singer who has seen all these troubles - I mean you don't have to have had tuberculosis to sing La Boheme, you play the part.

So the crowd singing "Swing Low" isn't saying "we were slaves and this is how we feel" but "this song is about slaves and how they feel" . Yeah - I know most of them are just singing the team song, but there's no disrespect intended in singing it, it's not an attempt to get dressed up in blackface.

I'd be happy if the RFU just had a page in the programme on the history of "Swing Low" setting it in context.

Exeter Chiefs supporters petition for club to drop 'racist Native American branding'


A petition calling for Exeter Chiefs to change their branding has gained over 600 signatures this week

By
Ben Coles, (Telegraph)


A group set up by Exeter Chiefs supporters have called for the club's "racist use of Native American imagery and branding" to be dropped, comparing the use of the headdresses and chanting the Tomahawk Chop to blackface.

A petition started earlier this week by Exeter supporter Ashley Green has gained more than 550 signatures, with Exeter's Labour MP, Ben Bradshaw, also publicly backing the move.

Members of the group, speaking to Telegraph Sport, described Exeter's use of a Native American mascot, the tomahawk chant and adoption of headdresses by supporters as "demeaning". The group added there was no issue with keeping the 'Chiefs' name, pointing to Exeter's history of Celtic tribes in the region during the pre-Roman era and calling for the club's image to be built around that period of time as opposed to appropriating Native American culture.


Exeter Rugby adopted the 'Chiefs' brand in 1999. The club were then promoted to the Premiership in 2010 and have since established themselves as a major force in both English and European rugby, winning the Premiership title in 2017.

"I do believe that Exeter Chiefs are a great club who do so many great things both on the pitch and off it. How they have risen to become the best team in England and one of the best teams in Europe has been nothing short of remarkable," explained Ben, a season ticket holder for seven years.

"During the last few years, I have also learnt about the offence that [the branding] causes, having your culture, your identity appropriated by sports teams. The headdress or warbonnet is revered in many cultures, and we use it as a way to play fancy dress. We just use the term Native American as a catch-all, not realising that there many distinct tribes throughout North America. But we use a stereotype."

Referencing the momentum for change created recently by the Black Lives Matter movement, another petitioner, Mary, compared the use of Native American branding to blackface.

"If Exeter Chiefs had a Golliwog as their icon now, we would all have an issue with that. Essentially, what they are doing with the branding, is the First Nation equivalent of blackface. Native American people do not consent to you using their image. Why are you still doing this? It is just so demeaning."

The use of Exeter's mascot, named 'Big Chief', has also come under fire. "People might ask, how is it racist? Firstly, it’s a cultural appropriation. Second, the feathers are sacred, so there is a desacralisation," explains Abdenour, a PHD candidate at Exeter University.


Others criticised Exeter's lack of communication over the issue. "They have been consistently and shamefully silent on the issue," added Elena. "The conversation isn’t a new one. The club’s response has been the same every single time."

Laura, another long-term Exeter supporter, added that the use of the branding had prevented her from purchasing replica jerseys. "I live away from Exeter and would love to be able to wear the kit with pride and show my roots with my home town, to get the kit for my daughter, and introduce her to our family team."

Exeter Chiefs had no comment regarding the petition when contacted on Wednesday.

I've often wondered how long until this got brought up. Similar issue with the Washington Redskins in American Football.

I really don't agree with the idea that "cultural appropriation" is wrong. As long as it's done sensitively / with respect, surely borrowing from another culture is a sign of respect rather than disrespect. Obviously it has to be done in a respectful way, not just taking the p1ss / fancy dress.

As for "desacralisation" - well, I'm not really sure what that is or what to think of it. I'm sure their PHD topic will contain a lot of made up terms though.

Anyway, I'm not surprised there are calls for it to be banned and I think they're far more reasonable than suggestions that Swing Low might be problematic (I know they've not suggested it's racist).

Well, if I was a Native American Indian I wouldn’t mind being represented by a team that has shown combativeness, toughness and maybe in this day and age, above all, honesty. That they have won things, and as we know should have won more (lots more), would only increase any sense of pride being associated with such an organisation.

I don't really think you can speak for a Native American, that's the issue. However I see your point, not sure how many Native Americans are actually taking offence to this?

I don't really think you can speak for a Native American, that's the issue. However I see your point, not sure how many Native Americans are actually taking offence to this?

Not many are aware of Exeter Chiefs but a few of the ones who are aren't happy, eg:
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/exeter-chiefs-should-work-real-1139539

She was a cultural ambassador for a Sioux tribe so has some authority and understanding of the issues.

The fans largely think it's PC GORN MAD, Native Americans / First Nations people are thin on the ground in the UK and easily ignored, so I doubt Exeter will change anything.