A Native American visiting Washington, D.C. last year said he was verbally and physically attacked by a member of the Obama administration because he was wearing a Washington Redskins shirt.
Barrett Dahl, a member of the Choctaw and Sac and Fox Nations, told Oklahoma City's News 9 he was approached by William Mendoza at an event. Mendoza is the executive director of the White House Initiative of American Indian and Alaska Native Education and is outspoken about his belief that the use of Native American images for sports mascots is wrong.
Dahl told the station Mendoza called him a "weetard for not understanding Redskins is offensive." He also claimed the back of Dahl's shirt read, "INJUN PIMP," a fact Dahl disputes.
Dahl said Mendoza added, "Where are you from? You're so stupid and uneducated. You don't understand Redskins is offensive?"
"And I tell him I'm from Oklahoma as I'm very proud to be, and that's when he spits on me," Dahl said.
At some point after that, the men got into a physical fight that left Dahl with medical bills in the thousands of dollars and a bad hand.
According to News 9, Mendoza wrote this about the incident:
"Upon exiting the escalator, I ran into Barry again, coming around the corner. I reached out my hand and said, 'My apologies for offending you.' He was holding a cup in his hand, at which point, he threw its contents that was the smell of coffee and was hot, but not scalding. He then punched me in the face (right cheek). I tried to grab him but we both fell."
Dahl said he will sue the Obama administration official to help pay for his medical bills. Mendoza told the station he is considering legal action as well.
The incident occurred last Oct. 30. Dahl spoke to News 9 about it this week.
A poll earlier this year found that 90 percent of Native Americans were not offended by the Washington Redskins' name.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.