大象传媒

If you're in the US, you may have seen #thechopisracist trending on social media.

It's after a video went viral of a baseful fan holding a sign with that slogan on at a World Series match between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros.

The Atlanta Braves' involvement in the World Series this year has once again brought focus on the controversial aspects of the team's identity, which draws heavily on supposedly Native American culture.

When their fans perform what is known as 'The Chop', they imitate in unison the chopping motion of what is seen as stereotypically Native American tomahawk axe.

The 大象传媒's Nuala McGovern has been speaking to the fan who was holding that sign - Jim Squires. He's a Houston Astros supporter and also a Democratic congressional candidate in the state of Texas.

"There were a small group of people that were very upset," he tells us. "But I got a ton of people who were applauding and right behind me saying 'yeah man thanks for doing that.'"

"As time goes by, people will come to understand that having cultures and peoples as mascots is not okay."

Photo shows: Jim Squires holding up a sign saying "The Chop is racist" at a baseball match. Credit: Getty Images

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