Crimes against Natives spur community meeting

People Against Racism hold community forum, potluck

By Jan Hill, Journal correspondent | Wednesday, April 01, 2009

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Concerned citizens from myriad cultural backgrounds filled a meeting room Sunday night at Woyatan Lutheran Church in Rapid City to share experiences with racism and search for solutions.

People Against Racism, a local nonprofit organization formed by Rapid City advocates Mary Wright, Hazel Bonner, and Candice Estes, hosted the packed public forum and potluck.

The meeting room was filled to capacity, with some people standing, as a racially diverse audience of about 50 was invited to share their stories. The crowd couldn't all fit in the meeting room for the potluck, so extra seating and tables were set up outside the room so participants could have a place to sit and eat.

People Against Racism was formed after the mayor's task force against racism disbanded about two years ago, in February 2007, according to Estes.

Wright said that in the 55 years she has lived in Rapid City, she has experienced discrimination at its worst. She said many people feel powerless to do anything about racism and the recent crimes against Native Americans here, but they are wrong.

"They say, 'what can I do?' Believe me, you have power -- everyone does," Wright said. "You just have to speak up, say hey, I live in this town, and some of our residents are being treated badly. I'm not going to stand for it."

Estes and Bonner encouraged citizens to get involved in the advocacy group. "We need a lot of help," Estes said. "Speak up. Be a volunteer. Join one of our committees."

Bonner added, "Watch what's happening in our community, report back, and we'll take it on."

Anita Afraid of Lightning, who attended the meeting, had a very personal reason for doing so: Her brother was one of the victims of the recent drive-by attacks in Rapid City. She said she hopes that advocacy groups and community meetings will help do away with racism and hate crimes here, but she is not optimistic.

"I don't think anything will change," she said. "Profiling against Native Americans runs deep."

Dolly Red Elk agreed. "I have lived in Rapid City for 35 years and have had experiences with racism all my life," she said.

Red Elk's brother was the victim of crime 26 years ago when he was run down and killed by a car along Interstate 90 near Sturgis. "They pulled over and opened the door deliberately so that they would hit him," she said, adding that those responsible only served six months in jail. "It's time to start seeing us as human beings, because we are," she said. "We deserve respect. We're the keepers of the Black Hills."

Karmelita Plains Bull Martin and her 16-year-old daughter, who was shot with a BB gun March 17 in an unprovoked attack, spoke about the incident, which is believed to be racially motivated.

"I have never been so reminded that I am a Native American living in Rapid City," Plains Bull Martin said. "But I'm here, and we've become part of the problem. I want to be part of the solution." Her daughter agreed. "I have decided to stay positive, not to hate," she said.

Kelly Water said she and her five siblings have all experienced discrimination against Native Americans during their time in Rapid City.

"I figure it's something I'll have to put up with the rest of my life," Water, an Oglala Lakota College student said. "But I will live and die here. My people need me."

Both Red Elk and Water agreed that much of the reason for racism and the recent crimes against Natives in Rapid City undoubtedly has to do with a lack of communication and understanding between the white and Native American cultures. "Get to know us; we're good people," Red Elk said.

"We have some fundamental differences, like our relationships with our extended families, language barriers, and sometimes even our definitions of success," Water said. "Success to me is to be able to give a helping hand. How can I go about making a difference?"