Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

July 21, 2010

Los Angeles Times publishes racist hate speech directed at O'odham

Los Angeles Times,

It is difficult to believe that the Los Angeles Times would allow such ignorance and racism to be published as in 'Mystery Language on a Border Sign.' It insults the O'odham right to travel in their own homelands, insults the O'odham ancient language and exposes the ignorance and racism of both the writer and the Los Angeles Times.
It is difficult to believe the Times would allow the writer to accuse the O'odham of criminal behavior, illegal border crossing, without any knowledge of the subject. The author and Los Angeles Times owe an apology to the O'odham people.
Are you even aware that the O'odham live on both sides of the border in their traditional homelands and have lived here since time immemorial?
Why would you allow a writer to insult a peoples' language without even researching the facts?
This is one of the most racist columns I have ever seen published in major media and constitutes hate speech.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/readers/2010/07/mystery-language-on-a-border-sign.html

Brenda Norrell, Tucson

1 comment:

Dine said...

I cannot believe it!!!!!!!!!? It makes me angry that this writer to write this about O'odham people. Speaking about perpetuating stereotypes about Indigenous people. I am going to write to the LA Times and this blog to express my point of view about this issue. I agree with what you said about it in your article. Arlene