NM MVD says Navajo-only speakers are “illiterates” must learn English to obtain state ID card

[Voice for Peace]

MVD says Navajo-only speakers are “illiterates” must learn English to obtain state ID cards or license

New Mexico’s Motor Vehicle Department recently directed employees to stop assisting Navajo language speakers with applications for licenses and identification cards, dubbing them “illiterate” in an email directive to staff.

Acting on a tip from a citizen concerned about newly registered Navajo voters being denied access to identification cards necessary to vote, ProgressNowNM obtained a copy of a new MVD directive posted in a Northwest New Mexico office.


MVD email directive. Copied as posted in the office. (right side of the original was trimmed from the posting)
?w=760&h=304

Saying, “We are not able to issue license (sic) for illiterates” MVD’s regional director tells staff to end the practice of assisting applicants with completing the state’s license or ID card forms.

But state law doesn’t have a language requirement for applications.

http://progressnownm.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/mvd-says-navajo-only-speakers-are-illiterates-must-learn-english-to-obtain-state-id-cards-or-license/

-more at link-

[JimDandy]

1. State ID's don't seem to be impacted-only driver's licenses.

[Voice for Peace]

2. what is your source?

the article says state id's and licenses, both.

[JimDandy]

6. The email directive refers to driver's licenses only.

I don't see any mention on the email that DMV personnel or others are not allowed to help a State ID applicant fill out their application.

There isn't even enough of the email for me to tell which questions DMV personnel are being directed to not read to driver's license applicants...the test questions or the questions on the application itself, or both.

I would need to see the entire uncut email to come to some other conclusion.

[Warpy]

3. While ID cards and driver's licenses are the most common items

to copy and present with a mailed in voter registration, other items such as tribal IDs and BIA health cards can be used.

Nothing has to be presented at the polls. Voter ID here was trounced some years ago, in main part thanks to a great education by our tribal citizens.

The stuffiness of the MVD over ID cards can likely be explained by an edict from Tejana Susana, our teabagger governor.

[Voice for Peace]

4. For now.. if she's re-elected may be another story.

I'm confused now about the article.

[Warpy]

7. Yeah, there were a lot of maybes in there

She'll be reelected because she's managed to keep her bullshit out of the news here and the guy running against her is part of a political dynasty and doesn't seem to be working that hard.

Most of the old folks out on that reservation were victims of the old Indian School system where kids were basically kidnapped and sent to boarding schools to assimilate them. It was a stupid idea and didn't work because as soon as they got home they grew their hair out and spoke their own language again and tried to forget everything they got taught.

This policy is insane and will bite them in the ass. A lot of people on the rez have gone for law degrees and you can expect to read about a lawsuit, probably sooner rather than later.

[Voice for Peace]

29. thank you. I believe she is temporary even if re-elected.

And it seems the native voice around here gets stronger
every day.

[shenmue]

5. Holy mackerel

[KamaAina]

8. Strap them all down in uncomfortable chairs

and put on "Windtalkers".

[Wellstone ruled]

9. Well well!

These idiots just lost the Navajo vote. And to think,many in the Hispanic community refuse English in any form,so lets beat the Navajo to force the issue of non compliance to or norms. If you are familiar with New Mexico's north western areas,then you would understand what the hell is really going on. It's land and Mineral Rights and the wealthy want it.

[Voice for Peace]

30. Isn't that where the giant methane cloud is?

this stuff grinds in my guts

[Dont call me Shirley]

43. Yes it is. Thanks to fracking.

[SheilaT]

10. I'd be slightly surprised if there are any Navajo-only speakers here.

I live in NM, and have had occasion to interact with Navajos many times. All of the ones I've met all speak English, and I feel pretty sure that their education is primarily in English. The bigger problem they have is losing their language. Just a few days ago a man running for President of the Navajo nation got thrown off the ballot for not speaking the language fluently enough.

And the thing you posted would apply to anyone who cannot read English. Or maybe Spanish if they give the test in that language.

[dbackjon]

16. Probably more Navajo only on the Arizona side

Where there are more remote communities.

Still, it would not surprise me if there are a number of older Navajos in both states that speak Navajo as their primary language, and are not fluent in English.


Heck, one of my fraternity brothers grew up speaking Navajo at home, and he would not even be 50 now. Of course he could speak English fluently before he came to college, but his parents could speak English, but not fluently.

[DustyJoe]

11. Makes no sense

What difference is there with the literacy of a Native Navajo or a Mexican National that does not speak or read or write english ? It cannot be lawful to single out the Navajos when NM is one of the few states where undocumented Mexican Nationals can apply for a drivers license. You can go to any MVD office in NM and find constant streams of non-citizens being instructed in spanish by MVD staffers on their application. Are these folks considered illiterate too ? I have lived in the 4 corners just off the Navajo reservation for over 40 years, Navajos cannot be considered in any way illiterate. Yes, there are elders that have never been off the reservation and a lot of elders do not speak english that this practice probably targets. Hardly makes them illiterate and be denied state ID. This state requirement if true is a total illegal discrimination against the natives by a state government that steps all over itself to help latin non-citizens.

[Dont call me Shirley]

44. The guv desperately wants to get rid of drivers licenses for "illegals".

[tclambert]

12. Hey, if they don't wanna learn English, they should go back where they came from!

Which I presume is Navajo-istan or something.

We wouldn't have problems like this if America had secure borders . . . back in 1492.

[valerief]

24. I'm sure there are some teabag nitwits saying exactly that!

[WinkyDink]

47. And take Government out of my Medicare!

[hifiguy]

13. The irony of a state official with a Latino/Hispanic last name

saying that Navajo-only speakers - are there really that many? - are "illiterate" is something upon which I will refrain from commenting.

[treestar]

14. People are not illiterate because they don't know English

Also I doubt being able to speak English could constitutionally be a requirement for an ID card.

Someone's being an idiot.

[jonjensen]

15. navajo was taken off tribal ballot because he did not speak navajo good enough!

[KansDem]

17. Is English the "official language" of New Mexico?

I know the US doesn't have one, but don't know about New Mexico.

[MisterP]

19. it's not on the list, but it appears to be the operating principle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-only_movement

[jtuck004]

25. Maybe. White is the official color of the United States, so there's prolly a language too. n/t

[DustyJoe]

26. Not in NM

NM US
White alone, percent, 2013 (a) 82.9% 77.7%
Black or African American alone, percent, 2013 (a) 2.5% 13.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, 2013 (a) 10.4% 1.2%
Asian alone, percent, 2013 (a) 1.6% 5.3%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, 2013 0.2% 0.2%
Two or More Races, percent, 2013 2.4% 2.4%
Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2013 (b) 47.3% 17.1%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2013 39.4% 62.6%

With a 10% Native population (the Navajo tribe NM population is small compared to a whole of which a large % is in Arizona) the MVD practice if true impacts a large percentage. With non-hispanic whites a clear minority in NM clearly makes 'white' nowhere near the official color. But as I said before, this would impact the Navajo elders which is such a small number of people, but a mistake as the younger Natives revere their elders not unlike Asian culture. Why the hispanic majority and govt of NM would make such a bonehead move against the natives defies logic.

[jtuck004]

27. This is a white country, founded on the idea

that freedom is for white people, that black skin makes you less of a person. Nothing has changed, we think freedom is for white folk.

Take a look at the jails. Are they 77% full of white folk, or is it the reverse?

NM is no different from the rest of this racist nation.

[trusty elf]

33. ........

[url=http://postimage.org/][img][/img][/url]

[KansDem]

34. Priceless!

[LynneSin]

18. Technically they are speaking the native language of the land

And we are the illiterates.

[Dont call me Shirley]

45. ....

[FailureToCommunicate]

20. Tell that to these 'illiterates':

[WoodyD]

35. Thank you for posting that

It was the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread - those idiots should be damned thankful for the Navajo language and the Code Talkers.

[FailureToCommunicate]

40. Yá'át'ééh (Hello) It is actually a marvelous language.

I am honored to get a reply from someone who has been a DUer for a decade but been able to keep their post count so low!


The Pledge of Allegiance (in the Navajo Language)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qiS_bF_ihp4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

AhóÁ! ("Cheers&quot

[asjr]

21. If it was not for the Navajo code-talkers all New Mexicans would

be speaking Japanese.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. ...

[mikehiggins]

23. absolutely ridiculous

What was this person thinking? Or did thinking go into it at all? Inability to speak English is a sign of illiteracy? Was Don Quixote written in English? Machiavelli's Prince? Hell, a lot of people would have a hard time talking to Shakespere in English, let alone Welsch or Gaelic.

Classical provincial nonsense.

[w0nderer]

41. wuait jes un gudurn munite now!

dem all thar be furriners cept for baybee jaysos he wuz amurikkan

bemsides that that reding ritin ritmatic s'all overrated, jus have the preacher splain de buble and lords will to ya

*jumps behind the flame shelter*
for the record i have redneck family

i'd like to see navaho app forms
a little courtesy to the host please, thanks

[nashville_brook]

28. k and r

this is par for the course.

[raven mad]

32. No code-talkers allowed, eh? n/t

[ismnotwasm]

36. Fucking assholes

This literally makes me sick

[hopemountain]

37. shame on aurora lopez

shame on her own self hate and denial of her own indigenous roots. in new mexico people are too proud to claim an indigenous heritage. they deny their indigenous roots as though it is poison by claiming superiority as "spanish". case in point: my in-laws. those who are truly only "spanish" are very few. this claim of only "spanish" heritage proliferated through out the west with the declarations of bounties on indigenous heads by the new states. denial and claiming "spanish" was a way to survive. it behooved natives to deny their indigenous heritage, culture, language and to assimilate as white as possible inorder to live and thrive in their communities. prior to his death, an uncle in law had his dna tested. the results were a small amount of european with african & greater than 55% native american - specifically, tarahumara and hopi.

[tammywammy]

38. Thankfully, they don't need that ID to vote

Do I need to present identification when I vote?

You do not have to present a photo ID. Only if you are registering for the first time in New Mexico, and you submit the registration form by mail, then you must submit with the form a copy of (1) a current and valid photo identification; or (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address. If you do not submit one of these forms of identification with your mailed-in, first time registration, then you would be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.
Back to Top

What identification do I need to provide?

The Election Code defines "required voter identification' as:

(A) a physical form of identification, which may be: (1) an original or copy of a current and valid photo identification with or without an address, which address is not required to match the voter's certificate of registration or a voter identification card: or (2) an original or copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, that shows the name and address of the person, the address of which is not required to match the voter's certificate of registration; or

(B) a verbal or written statement by the voter of the voter's name, year of birth and registered address; provided, however, that the statement of the voter's name need not contain the voter's middle initial or suffix.

The voter has the option of choosing the form of ID, either the physical form described in paragraph (A), or the verbal or written statement described in paragraph (B).
If a voter fails to provide either the written or verbal required identification, the voter shall be allowed to vote on a provisional ballot.

http://www.sos.state.nm.us/Voter_Information/Frequently_Asked_Questions.aspx#Voting01

[Dont call me Shirley]

46. Rio Rancho does, TeaBaggers had it put on ballot and brainwashed voters of RR voted it in.

Last edited Sun Nov 2, 2014, 09:20 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.sanbernfrw.org/newsletter/NewsletterMay2013.pdf

[turbinetree]

39. Constitution

Lets get some thing on the record so that Martinez and the other government agencies (Lopez) in this state (NM) should read something called the Constitution, it says that this country will treat all native people as a SOVEREIGN NATION and that will not be breached, so these hypocrites should read the CONSTITUTION just a little bit closer before they go around and deny this SOVEREIGN NATION and our people its rights, they are and have died to defend this right.
During WWII the Navajo were the SOVERGEIN NATION PEOPLE which were the code breakers which help defeat the Japanese and if they want some more history, lets let them know what our people have done for this country and what this country has done to the native people, more unemployment than any other people in this country, more mental and spousal abuse, rape, alcoholism, drug abuse, should I go on?
Have they been to the Jircarilla, Ramha Reservations lately Governor(Martinez) and Lopez

[niyad]

42. a bit more information:

. . . .

The MVD’s directive would apply not only to Navajo speakers, but to all of New Mexico’s tribal speakers. The Secretary of State recognized eight Native American languages in the state.
Despite historical challenges to the franchise, New Mexico ballots include the state’s first statewide Native American candidate, Deb Haaland, Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov.



As a candidate for governor, former security guard and prosecutor Susana Martinez made New Mexico’s drivers license policy a top, and divisive, issue. The state’s practice of issuing licenses to foreign nationals was unique at the time and was cited as misguided policy that would lead to massive voter fraud by undocumented immigrants and widespread security concerns in an age of terrorism. While Martinez has fought time and time again to repeal the law authorizing those licenses, 13 other states have since followed our lead in opening permits and identification cards to all residents, regardless of immigration status.

There is no evidence that any of the issued cards have been used to facilitate voter fraud.

Yet, unable to repeal the law, Martinez and her administration have used administrative tools to widely restrict access to IDs. These administrative policies, often enacted without public notice or input, also restrict access to necessary permits and IDs for other residents whose rights to vote are not questioned.

. . . .

http://progressnownm.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/mvd-says-navajo-only-speakers-are-illiterates-must-learn-english-to-obtain-state-id-cards-or-license/

[roody]

48. Too bad she does not know that

'illiterate' is an adjective, not a noun.