Editing Atlanta Braves (section)

==Tomahawk chop==
{{main|Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop and name controversy}}
[[File:Atlanta Braves fan with tomahawk.jpg|thumb|upright|The Atlanta Braves encouraged fans to gesture with the "Tomahawk Chop", distributing foam tomahawks at games and other events.]]

In 1991, fans of the Atlanta Braves popularized the "tomahawk chop" during games.<ref name=caro>{{cite news|title=Tomahawks? Scalpers? Fans whoop it up|url=http://ajc.newspapers.com/clip/54133514/the-origin-of-the-tomahawk-chop/|first1=Jeff|last1=Shultz|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=July 17, 1991|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628124335/https://ajc.newspapers.com/clip/54133514/the-origin-of-the-tomahawk-chop/|url-status=live}}</ref> The use of foam tomahawks faced criticism from [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] groups, who regarded it as demeaning.<ref name="nytimes1991">{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Dave |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-braves-tomahawk-phenomenon.html |title=The Braves' Tomahawk Phenomenon |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 13, 1991 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024183432/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-braves-tomahawk-phenomenon.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite protests, the Braves' public relations director defended it as a "proud expression of unification and family."<ref name="nytimes1991" /> The controversy resurfaced in 2019 when [[Cherokee Nation]] member and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher [[Ryan Helsley]] found the chop insulting, prompting the Braves to modify their in-game experience.<ref name="tcajc2019">{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Johnny|title=Chiefs of Georgia native tribes call tomahawk chop 'inappropriate'|url=https://www.ajc.com/news/chiefs-georgia-native-tribes-call-tomahawk-chop-inappropriate/7SHzrtpEHXuPdOP03xpz1N/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=October 13, 2019|access-date=October 24, 2019|archive-date=October 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022010411/https://www.ajc.com/news/chiefs-georgia-native-tribes-call-tomahawk-chop-inappropriate/7SHzrtpEHXuPdOP03xpz1N/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the off-season, discussions ensued with Native American representatives, and amid pressure in 2020 to change their name, the Braves announced ongoing talks about the chop but insisted the team name would remain unchanged.<ref name="krostc">{{cite news|last=Rosenthal|first=Ken|title=The Braves are discussing their use of the Tomahawk Chop, but not their name|url=https://theathletic.com/1915056/2020/07/07/the-braves-are-discussing-their-use-of-the-tomahawk-chop-but-not-their-name/|magazine=[[The Athletic]]|date=July 7, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708081350/https://theathletic.com/1915056/2020/07/07/the-braves-are-discussing-their-use-of-the-tomahawk-chop-but-not-their-name/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The debate over the tomahawk chop continued into 2021.<ref name="chopon">{{cite news|last=Burns|first=Gabe|title=Braves use 'tomahawk chop' during home opener|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-use-tomahawk-chop-during-home-opener-against-phillies/Z2LLQXRGXNHWDDQQZ5Y4QAKPJE/ |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref> While some Native American leaders, like [[Richard Sneed]], the Principal Chief of the [[Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians]], expressed personal indifference or tolerance, acknowledging it as an acknowledgment of Native American strength, others vehemently opposed it.<ref name=sneed>{{cite news|last=Spencer|first=Sarah|title=Braves' name, chop are complex and personal issues for Native Americans|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-name-chop-are-complex-and-personal-issues-for-native-americans/IcoUJUcvhpmcVr54PkNBmL/| newspaper=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Streeter|first1=Kurt|title=M.L.B. Commissioner Can't Hear Native Voices Over Atlanta's Chop|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/29/sports/baseball/tomahawk-chop-rob-manfred.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 29, 2021|access-date=April 7, 2022}}</ref> Sneed emphasized larger issues facing Native American communities and questioned the focus on the chop.<ref name="sneed3">{{cite magazine| title=Why Does MLB Still Allow Synchronized, Team-Sanctioned Racism in Atlanta?| author=Stephanie Apstein | date=October 28, 2021| url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/10/28/atlanta-braves-tomahawk-chop-daily-cover | magazine=Sports Illustrated| access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> The Eastern Cherokee Band of Indians and the Braves initiated efforts to incorporate Cherokee language and culture into the team's activities, stadium, and merchandise, aiming for greater cultural sensitivity despite differing opinions within the Native American community.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Joseph|title=Braves work with tribe to address cultural concerns|url=https://ictnews.org/news/braves-work-with-tribe-to-address-cultural-concerns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406092326/https://ictnews.org/news/braves-work-with-tribe-to-address-cultural-concerns|url-status=dead|archive-date=2023-04-06|website=Indian Country Today|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>