Wasps issue statement on Native American headdress for Chiefs game

Wasps have decided not to ban Exeter supporters from wearing the Native America headdress when the Coventry Building Society hosts the Chiefs next Saturday in round five of the Gallagher Premiership. There was speculation that a ban would be applied but Wasps have opted not to do this and have explained their stance in a lengthy club statement.  

"The club was recently asked by one of our supporter groups to review the wearing of faux Native American headdresses and other cultural signifiers at our stadium," began the statement published on the Wasps website about a review that was started in August.   

"We have found it difficult to know how best to deal with this issue, which is why we have taken time to consult those more knowledgeable about this subject, including a number of external stakeholders and members of the Native American community.

"Wasps made a commitment to put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do. This club, and the wider rugby community, is at its best when every person involved in the game feels respected, included and supported.

"Recent events such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the continued racist abuse aimed at high profile sports stars and rising intolerance towards LGBTQ+ people have made it clear that diversity and inclusion are not just political issues, they are human ones.

"We know that engaging in dialogue and being prepared to voice an opinion will sometimes be uncomfortable, difficult and may not always be popular. Having the conversation, though, and being willing to listen, question, reflect and learn is how we move forward and hold ourselves to account. Many topics and behaviours which were once tolerated, such as cultural appropriation, are no longer acceptable. 

"Just because something isn’t offensive to you, doesn’t mean it isn’t offensive. Even though we do not want to create a professionally offended society, we do need to recognise that times and opinions change.

"Since 2020, several sports teams around the world have recognised that the appropriation of another culture is something they can no longer justify. Last year there was a public focus on the prominent use of appropriated names and iconography by professional franchises including the Washington Football Team (formerly known as the Redskins until July 2020) and in Canada, the Edmonton Eskimos have become the Edmonton Elks.

"Respect for all cultures is a crucial part of including everyone in this amazing game. We at Wasps believe that cultural appropriation, “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture” and, therefore, the wearing of faux Native American headdresses has the potential to cause offence and doesn’t align with our values.

"However, having taken counsel on this issue, it is clear that to drive real change we need a sport-wide position to be reached. We have, therefore, approached Premiership Rugby, the RFU and the RFU’s newly formed diversity and inclusion working group to ask that this issue is formally addressed.

"At this current time, we will not be issuing an arena wide ban on the wearing of faux Native American attire, as one club acting in isolation has the potential to cause further division and uncertainty. However, we do not support the wearing of such items, discourage supporters from wearing them and will be revisiting this decision in due course.

"Wasps want to be part of positive equality, diversity and inclusivity change and will continue to encourage the entire rugby community to take action against inequality and other forms of discrimination. We are committed to doing more to tackle racism and to championing diversity in sport."