I support taking down the “Chief,” the offensive sign owned by Toh-Atin Gallery on Ninth Street in downtown Durango. It’s a racist caricature of Indigenous peoples who live in Durango and neighboring communities and reservations.
Co-owner of Toh-Atin Antonia Clark was quoted in the Herald saying, “He looks like a lot of the people we work with” (“More than 1,400 people call for ‘Chief’ to be taken down,” June 18).
Hmmmn. I don’t know any Indigenous folks around here who look like the “Chief” or any other cartoon character. I think the sign is degrading and dehumanizing.
Clark says, “We in no way ever want to offend anyone.” It offends a lot of us, so take it down. Put up an image that accurately and respectfully depicts Indigenous community members and neighboring tribal members. If the Clarks can’t bear to part with their “Chief,” they could move it inside their gallery, or donate it to the museum with an appropriate lesson on racial stereotyping that is no longer acceptable.
Please Google “Between Mascots and Massacres,” by Kirbie Bennett, who explains much better than I why the “Chief” is offensive.
Deedee deHaro-BrownDurango
