Editorial: Still no action on border town racism

Tuesday, June 26, 2007  

"The greatest natural resource to be found in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest is not oil, not gas, not coal nor silver, but rather its cultural diversity. There is no greater pot of gold at the end of any human rainbow than that found here.

The summer of 2006 was an attempt by a slim few thieves to rob that beautiful treasure.

Three white men beat a Navajo man, and were tried in court on hate crimes. Another Navajo man was shot and killed by a white police officer, but the officer was protecting himself and faced a woman-beater under the influence of more than just an evil wind. There were those of Navajo land, meanwhile, who wore blinders themselves aimed only at hate, and not at such monsters as alcohol or domestic violence.

The city of Farmington says it wants, it needs, a new commission in place to serve as a liaison to the community, "more than an omnibus for listening to complaints. There also would be an element of proactive efforts in education of all the various cultures in the area," says the mayor.

One year has passed.

Where is such a commission, and why a year later has it not yet come to exist?

The Navajo Nation says it wants, it needs, a Human Rights Commission to build its own bridges, because "council delegates felt something needed to be done," said a presidential spokesman for the Nation. "We hope everyone takes part with an open heart and an open mind."

One year has passed.

Where is such a commission, and why a year later has it not yet come to exist?"

Get the Story:
Editorial: One year later, still no commissions (The Farmington Daily Times 6/26)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

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