Steele should apologize for racist remark
Jan 8, 2010
So much for the GOP’s “big tent” strategy.
Republican National Chairman Michael Steele last week put his foot in his mouth during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show. Describing a Republican Party platform that he contends is “one of the best political documents” in the last 25 years, Steele underscored his point by adding, “Honest Injun on that.” Ironically, he followed by listing core conservative values.
A public apology is well overdue. Steele and the RNC must address his terrible choice of phrase. Disgust and outrage has turned into adamant calls for an apology. Michigan Congressman Dale Kildee, Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, issued a statement in response to Steele’s “racist comment.”
“For those of us who have been fighting to reverse decades of mistreatment of Native Americans, we all know what Mr. Steele said and what he meant,” said Kildee. “His insensitive comment undermines and threatens to reverse the progress we have made to correct those wrongs. A cursory look through a dictionary or even some knowledge of Native American history would show Mr. Steele that the term is a racial slur for Native Americans.” He then urged the head of the RNC to publicly apologize to the Native American community “for his derogatory comment.”
It is particularly disturbing that Steele, who has endorsed a “big tent” Republican strategy that broadens its party, would so blatantly and easily offend American Indians. Steele’s use of this racist phrase – on a widely viewed national program, no less – disrespects a community that works hard to educate about the true history of the United States and wants to participate in its productive future.
Sharing this sentiment, Ronnie Washines, president of Native American Journalists Association, issued this statement following the televised incident: “I am thoroughly outraged that the leader of the National Republican Party would use such repulsive language on national television. Those of us in journalism have tirelessly worked to ensure that political leaders, newsrooms and the public be respectful to all cultures when speaking publically. Michael Steele’s scurrilous tongue does no service to his group and only undermines the positive work of those who sincerely seek to respect one another in all of our working relationships. I urge Michael Steele to carefully word a sincere apology to the Native American community, which could help stop such uneducated archaic racist remarks from being made in the future. We here at NAJA are available to assist him and his organization with obtaining an accurate understanding of Native America.”
We urge Steele to exhibit better leadership than this if the GOP truly wants to become more inclusive. In this age of instant media, it will be an uphill battle to overcome this image in the minds of Native peoples. --Indian Country Today