Koninklijke Atletiek Associatie Gent, KAA Gent for short, is a renowned Belgian Soccer team from Ghent. Their team logo was implemented in 1924 and depicts a Native American chief with a headdress. This logo is a reference to the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, which took place in Ghent in 1895. Currently, Benjamin Bundervoet (aka Buffalo Ben) is the team's mascot. During the game you can see him parading in a massive blue and white Native American headdress. In 2010, a female version named "'Squaw Mel" was introduced by a long-time fan named Melissa Joos. Later her mascot name was changed to "Buffalo Mel". 

As I did some research about their mascot and cultural appropriation, I have found several articles, some from up to 6 years ago. These articles are mainly about American organizations addressing this issue and that change is due.  One such article from 2016 informs us that Native American rights campaigner Suzan Shown Harjo has demanded that their racist logo and mascot have to go. To this day, barely any Belgian individuals have batted and eye or even acknowledged this.

WHAT IS CULTURAL APPROPRIATION?

Cultural appropriation is the inappropriate adoption of elements from a certain culture or identity by members of another culture or identity. This is even more problematic and insulting if members of a 'dominant' culture appropriate from minorities.

Cultural appropriation is not to be confused with:

• Acculturation: The process of an individual adopting new cultures due to being placed in said culture. Both groups involved will change, of which the minority group changes the most.
• Assimilation: The socialization process of acculturation. A minority group (in)voluntarily assumes the values, beliefs and norms of a majority group.
• Equal cultural exchange, in which the two cultures consent to this mutual exchange.

Culture appropriation is a result of colonialism!

WHY IS IT WRONG AND WHAT HAS TO CHANGE? 

As a European country, Belgium is even more disconnected and uneducated when it comes to Native American history than the US itself. Many do not even know what cultural appropriation is or why it is harmful. As a result, most Belgian citizens do not understand why their racist logo is problematic. As stated before, the mascot appropriates a headdress, also known as a war bonnet. They have an important historical and cultural significance as they were worn by male leaders who have earned great respect within their tribe. This knowledge is quite common, even in Belgium. 

When European countries started colonizing and even committing genocide against Native American individuals, they had not just stolen their lands, but also their culture, heritage and overall history of which some has been wiped almost entirely. Many Native Americans alive today are still dealing with the consequences of these heinous acts committed by colonizers and are fighting for their right to exist on their land. Many of them are attempting to reconnect with their ancestors and heritage. Not to mention, they face many daily struggles, in which racism is definitely included.

Not just KAA Gent's Logo and "Buffalo Ben" are racist, their mascot formerly known as "Squaw Mel" is also immensely intolerable. The word "squaw" is an extremely sexist and derogatory slur directed towards women of Native American descent. Whenever you google this word it is clearly tagged as offensive. Even though they have changed Mel's name, their racist logo and culturally appropriating mascots remain. This convinces me that KAA Gent is well aware of what they are doing, but choose to be ignorant.

Meanwhile in the US, there was a similar circumstance concerning a football team named "the Washington Redskins", whom also had a logo depicting a Native American individual. If you compare both logos, you can find a lot of similarities. In February 2022, their name has been officially changed to "the Washington Commanders", leaving their racist logo behind as well. Before that, many other sports teams have dropped their racist traits as well. 

It is about time that Belgium follows in their footsteps!

In conclusion: inappropriate adoption of items such as dreamcatchers, headdresses, white sage and other cultural significant items or traditions should be seen as downright unacceptable. It is important that we detach ourselves from this colonist mindset, make change happen and create a brighter future which includes equality and mutual respect. 

Thank you for reading and signing this petition!

Here are some Native American creators you should definitely follow:

• modern_warrior__ (Lance Tsosie)
• queerquechua (Pınar Sinopoulos-Lloyd)
• shinanova (Shina Nova)
• marikasila (Marika Sila)
• indiginous_baddie (Michelle Chubb)
• the_landk (Theland Kicknosway)
• lakotalaw (Lakota People's Law Project)
• decolonizemyself

Article Native American rights campaigner Suzan Shown Harjo: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2016/03/12/native_american_rightscampaignerunhappywithaagent-1-2598333/

Sports teams that have altered their racist name/logo/mascot: https://www.thewrap.com/sports-teams-dumped-racist-names-mascots-indians-redskins/