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Oklahoma tribes getting an unfair shake from media, politicians

Guest editorial

Louis Gray 12/26/2005

To read the Tulsa World and other papers around the state, one might think the Indians are ripping off the rest of Oklahoma by illegally avoiding tobacco taxes. It is true and it is a lie. I believe the writers know they have twisted the truth to serve powerful interests with questionable motives.

Clearly, those in the smoke shop business are selling cigarettes to other wholesalers at a good rate. They are not breaking the law. The compact, authored by state Treasurer Scott Meacham for Governor Brad Henry, is poorly written. It is an invitation to make money and to opt not to purchase tax heavy products. That isn't perception. That is the truth.

Meacham put together a weak and ineffective pact with the tribes and now Henry is proposing a racially inspired law, one that would punish legitimate businessmen from conducting commerce with people of color.

Meacham’s contempt for tribes is obvious and he is spreading his brand of truth with little opposition. But, enough is enough. His race-based agreements are nothing more than Jim Crow laws for commerce. A clumsy attempt to separate the Indian from his money. It is a time-honored tradition in Oklahoma.

I wonder if Henry would have received a standing ovation from NCAI delegates if tribes really knew what was in his heart?

The Tulsa World and their crack crew of investigative reporters have been posing as innocent smokers and purchasing cigarettes from Indian smoke shops. Their simple aim is to expose those slimy businesses that sell cigarettes at a shockingly low tax rate. Missing in their coverage is the truth.

This may seem like more of the same from Oklahoma power brokers, but the disturbing part is the general public is actually starting to believe it. One letter to the editor calls Indians "thieves,” and asserts that those selling for less than a white-owned business should be jailed.

Public perception of Indian people has never been lower. Even the most learned of Oklahomans believe Indians don't pay any taxes. In fact, we pay more than anyone. The masses also believe we are a drain on the economy. They are ignorant of the fact that we make up eight percent of the population yet create 14 percent of the gross state product.

There is a downside to irresponsible reporting conducted simply to satisfy some racially insensitive convenience stores. Lost of integrity is the first casualty. Would the World admit they have some financial stake in the cigarette wars?


Louis Gray is a member of the Osage Nation.

okchickasaw

Thank you Louis for your wonderful coments. An an Oklahoma Indian, I get mighty tired of the flack about the "taxes we don't pay."...

Blackbear

awesome editorial~

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eap7

I agree its a good and important editorial.