When 9-year-old Holden Armenta’s family got ready for the Kansas City Chiefs matchup against the Oakland Raiders last weekend, they did not expect it to become national news. Still, their little boy’s image quickly went viral. Holden, a die-hard Chiefs fan, painted half his face red and the other half black while donning Chiefs gear and a headdress on Sunday. Some say the outfit was steeped in racism and cultural appropriation.
Deadspin senior writer Carron Phillips catapulted Holden into the spotlight, causing quite a bit of controversy. Holden’s family, who is part Native American, say he is just a kid having fun, but others claim the Arementas took things too far.
More from CafeMom: Mom Wants To Know How To Help Her 'Racist Infant' & People Are Getting Heated
The writer made some big accusations.
His Deadspin piece was meant to call out what Phillips believed to be really inappropriate behavior. “It takes a lot to disrespect two groups of people at once. But on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, a Kansas City Chiefs fan found a way to hate Black people and the Native Americans at the same time,” he wrote.
Although the impetus to write the article was Holden, Phillips believed that the National Football League failed in its duties to quell racism and cultural appropriation at NFL games.
“There’s no place for a franchise to be called the ‘Chiefs’ in a league that’s already eradicated ‘Redskins,’" he wrote.
His family thinks Holden was a scapegoat.
Holden's mother, Shannon Armenta, took to Facebook to explain that her child was not dressed in blackface and that the viral image shown on television did not show that the other side of his face was painted red. She also shared an image of Holden with a group of smiling Raiders cheerleaders. “We even love the other team!” she wrote.
In another post, Shannon Armenta shared the Deadspin article and countered his argument. “This has nothing to do with the NFL. Also, CBS showed him multiple times and this is the photo people chose to blast to create division. He is Native American — just stop already," she wrote.
Holden has Native American lineage.
His grandfather, Raul Armenta, is a Business Committee member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. His father, Bubba Armenta, spoke with Jesse Watters Primetime to let people know that this isn’t just going to go away. His son’s image is embroiled in a controversy that he says hurts many people.
“The damage is already done. It’s, you know, worldwide. Now there’s comments all over, there’s, you know, disrespect towards Native Americans and towards my family,” Bubba Armenta told Fox News host Jesse Watters.
Holden explained to the Primetime host that he is a “really big” Chiefs fan and has received support from football fans.
Bubba Armenta reiterated to Watters that his family never meant disrespect to anyone and that his son was just having fun.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians made an official statement.
Kevin Blackistone posted a statement on X from Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
“We are aware that a young member of our community attended a Kansas City Chiefs game in a headdress and face paint in his way of supporting his favorite team. Please keep in mind that the decisions made by individuals or families in our community are their own and may not reflect the views of the broader tribal community," the statement reads. "As a federally recognized tribe, the Santa Ynez Band Chumash Indians does not endorse wearing regalia as part of a costume or participating in any other type of cultural appropriation."
More from CafeMom: 20 Indigenous Businesses To Support (Rather Than the Big Corps That Rip Them Off)
The story went viral very quickly.
Hundreds of posts on social media are discussing the story. PDS Pop Culture posted a video on TikTok to mixed reactions. A lot of people believed Phillips should have left a child alone.
“Not only did Carron [Phillips] not apologize for the mistake. He double downed on it,” someone commented.
“His family is on the board of the Chumash tribe I believe. This is a child, regardless of his lineage. Get the f— over it,” another person wrote.
Some thought the racist claims were way off. “Black face is a stereotype of black people. This is not black face he is celebrating his favorite team which derives their name from Native Americans," one person wrote.
Others think Holden’s parents were to blame.
“Kids don’t view the world the same way as adults. Generally kids are born with acceptance towards everyone unless bias is taught to them by adults," another comment reads.
“I would never hold a kid that young responsible, but his parents did him a disservice letting him attend dressed/painted this way,” someone agreed.
“The kid is wrong, it’s inappropriate. It’s understandable people would be upset," another person chimed in.
We have a feeling this is not the last we'll hear from the Armentas.
