White House official reportedly gets in brawl with Native American student wearing Redskins jersey
A Native American college student and the executive director of the White House Initiative of American Indian and Alaska Native Education allegedly got into a brawl at a pow-wow in Washington, D.C., over the student's Redskins jersey, News 9 reports. While the men's accounts of who started the incident differ entirely, both agree that punches were thrown.
Barrett Dahl, of Oklahoma, is a member of the Choctaw, Sac, and Fox Nations, and "says he wore the Redskins shirt because he was in Washington, D.C., and because he sees it as a sense of cultural pride," News 9 reports. Dahl, who is autistic, alleges that White House official William Mendoza approached him at the pow-wow and said, "You're a 'weetard' for not understanding 'Redskins' is offensive."
Mendoza, who was unable to comment to News 9 directly but had his side of the story relayed by his lawyer, agrees he approached Dahl because of the jersey, but he said it also had the words "INJUN PIMP" written on the back. Mendoza has worked extensively to remove the use of Native American images from being used as mascots.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The two also agree that this is when they got into an argument: Mendoza says Dahl swore at him; Dahl says Mendoza spit on him. Then the physical fight erupted, although it is also unclear who started it. Both men were reportedly injured.
Dahl claims he underwent multiple surgeries after the brawl and wants to sue Mendoza. Mendoza is apparently also considering legal action: "Should Mr. Dahl continue to malign Mr. Mendoza he will have no other choice but to pursue all available legal remedies," Mendoza's lawyer told News 9.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published