Madison Hammond, the NWSL’s only Native American player, spoke out Tuesday night in response to NJ/NY Gotham FC’s McCall Zerboni using an anti-Indigenous metaphor in comments to media following her side’s 4-2 loss to the Houston Dash over the weekend.
Gotham supporters group Cloud 9 referred to Zerboni’s statement as “unacceptable,” and demanded that both Zerboni and Gotham address the matter with both a public apology and internal action.
Hammond then posted a thread on her Twitter account spelling out the harm Zerboni’s words could do, and noting that she had spoken with Zerboni privately.
“This has to be acknowledged and is really important. Not because I want to call out one person but because it’s indicative of how our larger culture continues to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Native Americans and Indigenous cultures,” said Hammond.
This has to be acknowledged and is really important. Not because I want to call out one person but because it’s indicative of how our larger culture continues to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Native Americans and Indigenous cultures. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/RGnKEdjGnW
— Madison Hammond (@gohaamm) August 2, 2022
“I’ve spoken with McCall and I know she didn’t intend harm but phrases like ‘too many chiefs’ ‘pow wow’ ‘sitting Indian style’ and many more are rooted in brutal racism and are still way too common in our everyday lexicon,” Hammond added.
As the only Native American in the NWSL I want to start a necessary conversation, bc phrases like these make Native Americans feel othered, invisible, and prove there is a lack of understanding and respect for Indigenous culture. They may seem harmless, but they’re not. (3/3)
— Madison Hammond (@gohaamm) August 2, 2022
Hammond concluded by stating that she hopes this begins “a necessary conversation” about anti-Indigenous phrases being used in the NWSL and elsewhere.
Zerboni offered an apologetic tweet of her own, though it did not specify what actions she was actually apologizing for.
im sorry if anything i’ve ever said has offended any1. the last thing i would ever want 2 do is hurt someones feelings or make them feel unloved. if u knew me u would know this. i’ve fallen short at this at times im sure but my intent always lead with ❤️. have a good night yall.
— McCall Zerboni (@McCaLL2) August 2, 2022
Less than a week before her comments, Zerboni was Gotham’s nominee for the Ally Award, a new NWSLPA award sponsored by Ally Bank.
The Ally Award “recognizes the athlete that embodies the idea of ‘teammate,’ supporting and motivating rookies and veterans alike. The 12 nominees portray the character and leadership that have helped elevate the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) globally,” said Ally in a press release announcing the nominees.
On Wednesday, Gotham made its first public statement about the matter, saying that as an organization, it “will not abide by any language that perpetuates harmful stereotypes.”
“We have addressed the matter internally and will continue to seek opportunities to educate our organization and community about the impact words have on others,” concluded the club statement.
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) August 3, 2022
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