WASHINGTON — The controversy over Native American names in professional and collegiate sports arrived at the White House on Monday, when President Biden hosted the Atlanta Braves, winners of last year’s World Series.
The team’s name and its accompanying tomahawk logo has long come under criticism as offensive to Native Americans. During games, Braves fans also mimic a “tomahawk chop” while crudely simulating Native American battle chants. That practice has also received scrutiny, most recently when the Braves defeated the Houston Astros in six games last year to become Major League Baseball champions.