BISCUITS NOT BIGOTS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Beth Jacobs is a recent law-school graduate, a community organizer, and an activist in North Carolina. She is also the Founder and Director of Brown Babies, Inc. With all that she does for others and her community, it is safe to say that her plate is pretty full – but this young woman has stretched even further in the giving of herself and her time. She has now taken on a popular radio host in the Raleigh-Durham area – and we really like what she is doing.

Bob Dumas has come under fire more than once for his blatant racism and insipid commentary. On April 1st, he crossed the line again in a segment that can only be described as racist, hurtful and disturbing.

In response, Jacobs wrote the following OP Ed article that has been published in several local newspapers:

I am my parents’ only daughter. I am a recent law school graduate and a community organizer for a voting rights organization in North Carolina.

I am also a Lumbee Indian.

Because I am Indian, nothing I do is ever as important as the American stereotypes that depict me as a member of a depraved race of people. I grew up hearing all the bad things that Americans say about Indians; brutal savagery, drunken laziness; the tepee and scalping jokes. As an adult, I am still surprised at how often I feel blatantly offended as a Lumbee Indian.

As a resident of the Triangle, I have known for years that local radio station G105, and its owner Clear Channel, permit hate-filled racist misinformation against ALL minorities.

While I have no intention of repeating the derogatory language used by Bob Dumas, the broadcast verbally abused American Indians -and Lumbee Indians specifically- in a 15 minute rant. At one point, his co-hosts asked if they were being offensive with a joke about sitting “Indian-style,” but that only energized their tirade. Worse, he used his intern’s relationship with a Lumbee man to degrade the Lumbee Nation

Mr. Dumas’ intern, Chelsea Prior, a student at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, must be brought out as the uninformed underling that she was in this situation. I doubt that she expected to be bombarded with such ignorance directed at her fiancé.

Nevertheless, in addition to insulting her family, she has greatly insulted her university. As an alumnus of UNCP, I am most personally offended by her failure to recognize the negative affect that her words would have on the university and community.

The Lumbee people themselves raised money to purchase land and construct a building for the Croatan Indian Normal School. More than a century -and many transformations- later it became The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Ms. Prior had the cowardice to degrade the very people who built the institution at which she receives her education. I demand that G105 allow her to air a public apology.

In regards to Mr. Dumas and his radio show, I support all efforts to have him permanently removed. Many groups have been offended by this man, and I encourage all our friends to continue the torrent of complaints to G105, Clear Channel and the FCC. I personally request that G105 enter negotiations to discuss an authentic act of contrition that will contribute positively to the community and people they have degraded.

I hope we will all keep in mind that the real issue reaches beyond this local radio show. The lack of accurate information and positive consideration of minority cultures is not limited to North Carolina. Our children’s history books continue to depict us a savages or drunkards. Both the state and federal government have failed to issue any substantive acknowledgement of – much less apology for – Native genocide. Bob Dumas and his racially defamatory radio broadcast are the most recent and most public display of the need for significant reconciliation for American Indians in America.

If we do not stand against hate, our children will suffer the consequences of our idle complaints.

Beth Jacobs
Founding Director, Brown Babies, Inc.
elizabethlachelle@gmail.com

On Monday, April 21st, Jacobs appeared on Citizen’s Against Hate “Cold Shot” with Nikki Nichols and gave an excellent overview of the problems with the Bob Dumas show and how we, as concerned anti-racists, can help.

Below are the links to the various mechanisms by which we can get involved and actually do something to make a difference in this world. Please reach out and give her a hand…you’ll be glad you did.

TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW.

TO THE FACEBOOK GROUP

Please forward a formal complaint to G105 and send the NC Commission of Indian Affairs a copy of the complaint.

WDCG-FM 105.1
General Manager: Dick Harlow
3100 Smoketree Ct Ste 700
Raleigh, NC 27604

Program Director: Randi West
randi@g105.com

G. Richardson, Executive Director

NC Commission of Indian Affairs

1317 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1317

Main Number: (919) 789-5900

FAX: (919) 420-1373

Webpage: http://www.doa.state.nc.us/cia/indian.htm

And to tell Bo Jangles that people in North Carolina pay for biscuits not bigots…

CONTACT BO JANGLES