"In Navajo culture, there is a teaching that “your words are like a prayer.” Words have the power to manifest our reality, to literally bring things into being.

Growing up, our elders admonished us to be careful with our words, especially harsh words that can’t be taken back – words that can compel others into action.

That’s why racist comments by Republicans Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs and Sarah Palin matter to public discourse. Their words create ripple effects across the country, including border towns and reservations.

When Palin recklessly misinforms people that President Obama “pals around with terrorists,” and tells her followers “don’t retreat, just reload,” that language has profound effects on her supporters, some of whom are racists and white supremacists. She feeds their misguided anger.

Meanwhile, Dobbs, Limbaugh, Beck and others of their ilk use public airwaves to preach their particular brand of toxic, racist rhetoric – the kind that urge Minute Men vigilantes to hunt down brown people in the Arizona desert."

Get the Story:
Valerie Taliman: Racist rhetoric fuels hate crimes (Indian Country Today 12/15)