Matt Rowan’s use of a racist bow on a high school basketball show last week was despised across the county. His apology – that it was caused by an episode of high blood sugar due to his type 1 diabetes – only brought more contempt, this time from the diabetic community.
“I think every parent who has read this statement and has a child with type 1 diabetes has been really disappointed,” said Sen. Carri Hicks, an Oklahoma City Democrat whose son has type 1 diabetes. “We’re already teaching our six-year-old, even if you are not in control of your blood sugar, you are absolutely in control of your actions and your words.”
Rowan used racist language during a broadcast of the Norman High School girl’s basketball game and criticized the players for kneeling during the national anthem.
When Rowan was reached out by The Frontier last Thursday, he denied it was him. Hours later, Rowan confessed in a lengthy statement that his diabetes was to blame.
“I’ll say I have type 1 diabetes and my sugar went up during the game,” Rowan said. “While I don’t apologize for my remarks, it’s not uncommon for my sugar to spike, to become disoriented, and often to say things that are inappropriate and non-hurtful.”
Rowan kept working after a hot microphone picked up his racist remarks and he apparently had no problem calling games during the game.
The nation’s leading type 1 diabetes organization didn’t buy it.
“There are many symptoms of high blood sugar, not one of racism,” tweeted JDRF, an international organization for type 1 diabetes advocacy and research.
More than 1.6 million Americans live with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas does not make insulin. While type 2 diabetes can sometimes be treated with improved diet, type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that lasts a lifetime.
The only treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin, which is injected with every meal to help balance carbohydrates or when blood sugar levels are too high.
Low blood sugar requires immediate sugar intake and it is not uncommon for this person to experience dizziness, confusion, or headaches.
High blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, can lead to tiredness and weakness.
Rowan didn’t return a call from The Frontier on Sunday.
But many in the type 1 diabetes community said that even if he had high blood sugar it would not result in a person using racist language that is not already part of their lexicon.
“It felt like a punch in the gut,” said Wynter Griffis, a The Village resident who has type 1 diabetes. “We already have so many misconceptions about our disease, and we already have things about diabetes that must make headlines like the cost of insulin that it was just a slap in the face for him to say this and that kind of attention to pull yourself. ”
Griffis said friends reached out to her after Rowan’s comments to ask if a high blood sugar episode could really elicit such comments.
“While I love having questions about diabetes, it didn’t really feel like education – it felt like we were defending ourselves,” Griffis said. “Most importantly, we have to deal with overt racism, but it threw diabetes into the mix which created another problem.”
Rowan’s apology has received widespread criticism on social media, including many jokes that he only needed a candy bar to cure his racism.
But Hicks, the state senators whose son has type 1 diabetes, said the jokes made them even more frustrated.
“I think the only thing that hurt the most was trying to say that the person just needed a glass of orange juice or a Snickers to cure racism,” Hicks said. “I realize it’s an attempt at humor, but it’s still extremely frustrating. Not only is it inaccurate because high blood sugar isn’t treated with a snack, but it also makes diabetes a joke. “
As a member of the Oklahoma Senate, Hicks has stood up for diabetes and has tabled several related bills this year, including one that would help diabetics get faster access to lower costs of insulin.
According to research by the Journal of American Medical Association, the cost of insulin has increased nearly 200 percent over the past decade.
It’s not uncommon for diabetics to ration their insulin intake to save money, which can be fatal.
“The main reason for the high cost of insulin is the presence of a vulnerable population who need insulin to survive,” wrote Dr. S. Vincent Rajkumar, a Mayo Clinic doctor, in a research report on the rising costs of insulin. “This population is willing to pay almost anything to get access to a life-saving drug and the manufacturers know it.”
Rowan’s racist comments were directed at students and Griffis said the most important thing was to deal with the racist attack these students were feeling. But she also feels bad for any student with type 1 diabetes who may need to ask questions from their friends about what high blood sugar could mean.
“I understand that people with high blood sugar can have heightened emotions,” said Griffis. “But diabetes doesn’t cause racism, that’s not a thing.”
The Frontier is a not for profit company operated by The Frontier Media Group Inc.
