wired for controversy: symbolic sculpture by Native American rejected by University of New Mexico - Barbed

Black Issues in Higher Education, Nov 14, 1996 by Roberto Rodriguez

"It is my conviction that the c committee

vote is fraudulent, as it was obtained without

due process As a voting member, I had only

been notified verbally that a meeting was

being convened to discuss the merits of the

issue. Because of teaching

conflicts I was unable to attend and was

consequently requested to communicate

my opinion to your office (which I did by

telephone on the morning of September 25th).

I was not, however, notified that a formal

vote would be conducted by the members in

attendance nor was I offered a proxy vote in

the event of a legitimate conflict.

"Based on this violation, I am requesting

that the Albuquerque Public Arts Program

dismiss the Committee's vote, without

prejudice, from its deliberation. Failure to do

so may result in litigation, particularly if Mr.

Bob Haozous is required to compromise or

remove his sculpture."

Jojola says he became aware after writing

the letter that the committee he was serving

on was merely an advisory committee.

Walsh confirms that the committee is

advisory and admits that the worst-case

scenario is litigation.

Jojola says that despite his advisory

capacity, he believes the determination of the

committee "represents the skewed view of a

'privileged voice' end an isolated minority on

campus."

Jojola further states that the notion of

having to get further public input "reminds me

of those neo-colonial fascists who made

binding treaties with Indians

and then reneged in the face of their

non-ratification at the Congressional level."

Haozous says: "I gave them the best

piece I've ever done. They want to hide things

in the closet, but compare the borders with

Canada and Mexico," he says. The disparate

treatment on the borders shouldn't be allowed

to happen, he says. But it happens, he adds,

because the people coming across the

Canadian-U.S. border are white whereas those

coming across the U.S.-Mexico border are

brown.

Walsh says that the other changes are

understandable and permissible. One involved

replacing a star with an 'end of the trail'

cowboy. Also, a horse was replaced by three

rings, which Walsh says probably represents

the old Mayan ball games. "Those are

allowable. However, the wire on top is totally

a new element. It goes contrary to the spirit

and letter of the contract. It's not just a legal

document. It's a social contract."

Haozous says he is convinced that the

issue has to do with preconceptions about

Native American art. "They want art that is

quaint," he says. "I want to make an honest

statement."

In the meantime, Haozous says,

"Everybody's talking and I'm hungry."