KUBE Radio personality Rob Tepper, also known as T-Man, recently made derogatory remarks about Native Women on air. His remarks demonstrate his complete lack of knowledge of the realities of Native Women, tribal casinos, race and culture.
I grew up in Seattle. Throughout my childhood my family always understood the importance of standing up for ourselves. In my lifetime I have witnessed flavored drinks labeled “Injun Red,” colors labeled “Chinese Yellow” and a restaurant chain named “Sambo’s.” At that time in my life I didn’t comprehend the true meaning of “boycott,” but I knew that we were active in it. I knew that our family didn’t purchase those drink flavors or those color markers, and we didn’t patronize that restaurant.
We supported the Indian fish wars and my family was part of the take-over of Fort Lawton led by the late Bernie Whitebear in 1970. We were active in our schools, our community, and our culture.
My parents raised seven children in a three-bedroom house and yet our house was always open for a child who needed a place to stay. We respected the esteemed elders of our community. We recognized and thanked the veterans for their service. And women were respected and considered sacred as the carriers of life and the backbone of the nation.
We are now in the year of 2008 with the contemporary lifestyle of song, rap and shock jocks; we must also recognize that Native American tribes have embarked in very successful economic development.
The Washington Indian Gaming Association recently produced a report which illustrates the economic contribution that gaming tribes have made. Thousands of Washingtonians are employed by tribes; vendors are busy supplying goods and services and tribes provide millions of dollars in charitable contributions to non-profit organizations.
Despite the tremendous progress that tribes have made, Mr. Tepper has taken a step backward in his shallow and mean-spirited diatribe on Native Women.
As a Native Woman and as a mother of two young daughters, I was deeply offended and disappointed in KUBE. These insults and slurs have no place in our society and certainly not on the public airwaves.
It should be noted that when local tribes shared their concerns, KUBE did respond by taking action which included:
A one-day suspension of Mr. Tepper
Commitment of public-service announcements
A one-hour radio show to discuss contemporary Native issues
More importantly, this incident demonstrates the need for greater understanding and appreciation of Native Women and the true value and contributions of the tribes. This is an excellent time to work together to provide education, cultural competency and community outreach. It is my hope that KUBE will reach out to the Native community in their development of those public service announcements and the one-hour radio program.
Let’s fill another young Native girl’s memory of community involvement by her participation in a cultural education opportunity. Let’s right this wrong; let us groom another generation who understand the importance of standing up for ourselves.
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