“The student continued to shout, ‘You people need to stay on your reservations, you crazy monkeys.’”

—UNM Native Studies Professor John D. Gates

Santa Fe – On April 1, a University of New Mexico student disrupted a free concert by a Native American rap group by unplugging their sound system and shouting racial slurs to the band and to the Native American audience. Over a month later, the Native community at UNM remains uninformed of the university’s disciplinary action against the student.

The incident was referred to the Bernalillo Court District Attorney, Kari E. Brandenburg, by the UNM police. There has not yet been any word from Brandenburg’s office whether they intend to charge the student. The New Mexico Human Rights Coalition has joined with UNM Native Studies’ call for concerned individuals to contact Brandenburg and urge her to take swift action and bring charges against the suspect.

“The student shouted out to the crowd that this ‘s**t,’ meaning the music, shouldn’t be played and it needed to be turned down. The student continued to shout, ‘You people need to stay on your reservations, you crazy monkeys,’” stated Native Studies professor John D. Gates in a letter addressed to the editor of the “Daily Lobo,” the UNM newspaper.

“The Racist Incident Is Unacceptable.”

“UNM has a large Native American student population as well as other ethnic groups from the U.S. and other countries. And the racist incident is unacceptable,” Gates said.

The free concert was part of the Red Rock Concert Series, which promoted contemporary Native American music. It was set up by two UNM student interns, Patrick Willink and Onawa Lacy, and was part of a Native American music class taught by Dr. Maria Williams.

The two bands that performed were the “Soul Seekers” from Jemez Pueblo and “Tribe 2 Entertainment” from Two Grey Hills, NM. The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on the Westside of the Zimmerman Library near the Duck Pond in an area called the Cactus Garden.

Willink, a Native American Studies major said the disruptive student made “horrible remarks” aimed at Native Americans. “It was offensive to me and to the ancestry of Native peoples because that attitude of hate is what got our ancestors killed all throughout history,” he said.

Lack of Quick Response by UNM

According to Willink, UNM did not quickly take steps to respond to the incident and the Native community was upset by this. At a public hearing on April 14, the Native students as well as other UNM students, faculty, and staff discussed how it affected the Native community.

“The majority of leaders at universities are white people, and they tend not to be victims of racism. So, it is difficult for them to understand the emotions of people of color when they are the victims of racial attacks and slurs,” said Willink. “The forum helped those in charge of the university know how the Native community was affected by this incident.”

On April 15, Provost Brian Foster apologized for the inaction of the university’s late response, and the president of UNM also issued a letter.

The case is still under review and no decision has been made to date. According to Randy Boeglin, Dean of Students at UNM, if the student is found responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct, he may receive a sanction ranging from a warning to suspension, if charged.

The telephone number for the district attorney’s office is 505-841-7100.

“It was offensive to me and to the ancestry of Native peoples because that attitude of hate is what got our ancestors killed all throughout history.”

—Patrick Willink, UNM Native Student

Copyright © IAIA CHRONICLE 2004