Chiefs fan wrongly accused of blackface sues Deadspin for ‘race-baiting
The Parents of a Nine-Year-Old Chiefs Fan Sue Deadspin Over False Accusations
The parents of a young Kansas City Chiefs fan have filed a lawsuit against the leftist sports blog Deadspin for publishing an article that falsely accused their son of wearing blackface and hating Native Americans. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware state court, claims that Deadspin and its senior writer, Carron Phillips, maliciously attacked the nine-year-old boy and his parents for their own political agenda.
The article in question, titled “The NFL needs to speak out against the Kansas City Chiefs fan in Black face, Native headdress,” used a screenshot from a TV broadcast of a Chiefs game that isolated a frame where only the black paint on the boy’s face was visible. The lawsuit argues that this was a deliberate attempt to defame the child and his family.
The problem with Phillips’ article: literally none of it was true. The boy did not wear blackface. He is a child, and until Deadspin and Phillips’ malicious accusation, it never occurred to him that a person could hate another for the color of their skin. The truth is that the boy’s face was painted in the Chiefs’ team colors, black and red, split down the middle—just like many other fans and team regalia have done for decades. Nor does the boy hate Native Americans. He is Native American.
The boy’s father, Raul Armenta, is a member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and works for the tribe. The lawsuit states that the boy wore the headdress not out of hate, as Phillips alleged, but out of love for the Kansas City Chiefs and his Native American heritage.
Why is @Deadspin @carronJphillips trying to ruin this little kid’s life? They’re accusing him of blackface but conveniently left out his full face which was painted for the game https://t.co/kFfgAL4aDH pic.twitter.com/750u5sfETE
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 28, 2023
The lawsuit argues that the false accusation against the innocent child was driven by a political agenda. Phillips has a history of accusing people of engaging in racist acts, and his recent articles reflect this bias. The suit also claims that Deadspin refused to correct the record and threatened the Armenta family with counter-legal action.
The lawsuit does not name Phillips as a defendant but instead targets G/O Media, the parent company of Deadspin. The suit includes evidence that disproves the blackface allegation and highlights the support the boy received from Taylor Swift and black cheerleaders from the Chiefs.
The suit concludes by stating that Deadspin has gone too far and that the family will not be bullied by threats of legal action. They seek to set the record straight and hold Deadspin accountable for spreading lies about a nine-year-old child.
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By December 12, Deadspin had changed its story to focus on criticizing the NFL for not banning fans from wearing headdresses at all stadiums. However, the lawsuit argues that this was a dishonest attempt to reframe the original story without retracting the false blackface allegation.
The suit reveals that the family has become outcasts in their community and is considering moving. The boy has lost his innocence and love for his favorite football team, and his future college applications may be affected by the false accusations.
The lawsuit claims that Deadspin acted with “actual malice” because Phillips knew the boy was not wearing blackface and did not reach out to the family for comment before publishing. The family is seeking punitive damages from Deadspin.
What impact do the parents assert that the false accusations have had on their child’s mental and emotional well-being, particularly in regards to accusations of racism and hatred
Accusations made by Deadspin and Carron Phillips have caused significant harm to the boy and his family. It alleges that the publication knew or should have known that the allegations were false and intended to cause harm and damage the reputation of the child and his family.
The parents are seeking damages for defamation, emotional distress, and other related claims. They argue that the false accusations not only hurt their son but also caused them immense distress and damaged their family’s reputation within their community and among their peers.
In addition to the damage to their personal lives, the lawsuit also emphasizes the potential harm caused by the inaccuracies in the article. It argues that the false accusations perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to the spread of misinformation. By publishing false information without properly fact-checking or verifying the allegations, Deadspin and Carron Phillips have failed in their journalistic duty and have further divided communities.
The lawsuit further highlights the impact of such false accusations on children. It asserts that accusations of racism and hatred can have long-lasting and detrimental effects on a child’s mental and emotional well-being. The boy, who was previously unaware of the concept of racism, has been exposed to a world of hate and negativity that no child his age should have to face.
The parents and their legal representation are calling for accountability and restitution from Deadspin and Carron Phillips. They argue that journalists and media outlets have a responsibility to report accurately and ethically, and the false accusations made in this case constitute a breach of that responsibility.
The case has gained significant attention on social media, with many individuals expressing support for the child and his family. Calls for responsible journalism and fact-checking have grown louder, as this case serves as a reminder of the potential harm caused by spreading false information.
As the lawsuit proceeds, it will be interesting to see how the court decides on this matter. It will likely raise important questions about journalistic integrity, freedom of the press, and the responsibility of media outlets when reporting sensitive and potentially damaging information.
Regardless of the outcome, this case serves as a reminder that responsible reporting and fact-checking are crucial in maintaining public trust and preventing harm to individuals and communities. The parents of the nine-year-old Chiefs fan hope that their lawsuit will not only bring justice to their family but also encourage media outlets to be more diligent in their reporting practices to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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