Investigating Hate Crimes in Farmington, New Mexico

Abstract

The racial violence between Navajos and whites in Farmington, New Mexico is historical. One of the first documented acts of racial violence was in 1875, when white settlers would take gunshots at Navajos for entertainment. This violent atmosphere continued throughout the years, and most notoriously in 1974 with the murders of three Navajo men by three white teenagers. This violence was part of an ongoing cycle of racism and hostility between Navajos and whites. The murders ignited local and national media frenzy, and Farmington was dubbed the "Selma, Alabama of the Southwest." Navajo citizens responded to the murders with activism and demonstrations in the streets of Farmington, and demanded justice and change. Throughout subsequent years, racism and racial violence continues and Navajos are still the targets of hate crimes. The purpose of this study is to examine and investigate the hate crimes that have been committed against Navajo people in Farmington and its neighboring towns. This study, in particular, analyzes the impacts that hate crime has on Navajo citizens. Interviews with Navajo victims of hate crime expand on the findings of a pilot interview. The research in this dissertation shows that the affects of hate crime are long lasting and impact not only the victims but also the entire Navajo Nation. As a result of the unrelenting hate crimes in Farmington, the Navajo Nation has created a human rights commission to investigate race relations in Navajo Nation border towns. This study addresses what steps the Navajo Nation and Navajo citizens have taken to combat and recover from racism and racial violence. Finally, this study proposes interventions to improve race relations.