Editorial Roundup: Indiana

Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Aug. 12, 2021.

Editorial: Nothing to fear in examinations about race

The murky waters of American politics are roiled again, with hyperpartisans warning each other to beware of the monsters that hover beneath their surface.

The newest whirlpool of controversy carries the title 'œcritical race theory'ť and formed amid the stormy aftermath of 2020'²s racial unrest. To those who have been conditioned to abhor it, the concept means that the facts of American history as they know them are being assailed by propaganda that puts a negative spin on our nation's founding and development.

The debate quickly overflowed into schools, where boards, administrators and teachers find themselves under siege from conservative activists attempting to have anything resembling critical race theory banned from K-12 classrooms. Conservative firebrands such as Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who rarely passes on an opportunity to stoke the flames of political division, were quick to enter the fray.

Rokita's tactic was to offer up what he called a 'œParent Bill of Rights'ť that he said would allow parents to get involved with school boards to review curriculum and state standards in search of what he sees as 'œdangerous ideologies.'ť He wrote in a published commentary that critical race theory aims to 'œco-opt America's traditional U.S. history and civics curriculum by imposing deeply flawed, factually deficient instruction and racial division in the classroom.'ť

What is it exactly that has Rokita and other conservatives so riled up?

Critical race theory is an academic concept introduced about 40 years ago in higher education. It explores the idea that racism was not just something practiced by prejudiced individuals, but was embedded in legal systems and public policy.

The concept fosters a constructive academic discussion around the issue of race and racism in America.

Nothing should be scary or frightening about it. And it's important to acknowledge what it is and what it's not.

The consensus among educators is that critical race theory is not a concept that is 'œtaught'ť in K-12 classrooms. The backlash, it seems, has more to do with the fractured state of political discourse in this country and less about where discussions surrounding the theory might lead us.

Racism and white supremacy have coursed their way through American history. The savage institution of slavery is a terrible blight on our country's past and must continue to be examined and recognized for its long-term effects on American society. Any honest appraisal of U.S. history cannot brush it aside or ignore it.

Those who engage in this debate often struggle to keep their emotions in check. While we appreciate passion in espousing one's beliefs, it's wise to temper those emotions. When it comes to considering and understanding issues of race in America, everyone could stand to do a little less talking and a lot more listening.

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KPC News. Aug. 15, 2021.

Editorial: We must focus on strategies for increasing population

Ignore the upbeat takes coming out of northeast Indiana regional development folks - the reality is rural northeast Indiana's population is fading.

Perhaps the region isn't fading as fast as other rural areas of the state, but the 2020 Census results are nothing to celebrate.

DeKalb County experienced population growth of 2.5% over the past 10 years. Steuben County had basically none at just 0.7% growth. And Noble County joined most of the rest of rural Indiana with negative growth, losing 0.2% of its population.

LaGrange County grew by 8.9%, but without Amish babies we suspect the remainder isn't terribly different from its neighbors.

What's worse is that those low growth rates were also decreases from 2000-2010.

In the previous decade, DeKalb County had 4.8% growth, Steuben County 2.9% and Noble County 2.7%.

LaGrange County is up a bit this decade from 6.4% the 10 years before, but still a far cry from the 15%-plus it grew in each of the four decades from 1960-2000.

Northeast Indiana's Road to One Million plan was ludicrously optimistic in its hope that the region could approach 1 million residents by 2030. To hit that goal, the region would need to see about 25% growth over the next decade.

Barring a 1840s-style gold rush, that's simply not going to happen. At current rates, it would take another five decades to get there and, considering population is waning in most places not named Fort Wayne, even keeping up current growth patterns is going to be a challenge.

The local economy can't grow if there aren't people to support it and people aren't going to migrate unless there is a robust economy.

Regional employers are already struggling to find workers and that problem isn't going to suddenly get better as the rural population ages more rapidly out of the workforce with fewer new young workers to replace them.

Northeast Indiana leaders and economic development need to be more aggressively focused on strategies to increase the population.

And no, quality of life projects aren't going to be enough. Trails and murals and food truck events aren't going to solve this problem on their own, especially when many urban and suburban areas are doing the exact same things, too, often in bigger scale.

Housing is a must. Wages have to go up to better compete with urban areas. The region has to diversify more from agriculture and auto/RV industry manufacturing.

This can't wait and local leaders can't be passive. After two generations of decline, northeast Indiana can't sustain another generation of fading population growth.

Regional, county, city and town officials need to be more active and more aggressive to force a change in this downward trend.

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Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Aug. 14, 2021.

Editorial: Appeal of vaccine rule rejected by ND grad

The first case about required COVID-19 vaccinations to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court had Hoosiers written all over it.

Some Indiana University students wanted judges to block the university's vaccine mandate, but federal district and appeals courts declined to do it. So, they took their argument '“ that IU was forcing them to give up their rights in order to return to school '“ to the high court.

Nope, said Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

A University of Notre Dame graduate and former law professor there appointed to the Supreme Court last year by former President Donald Trump, she declined to refer the case to the full nine-member court. Barrett did not give a reason, but lower court rulings have said universities can do what's necessary to keep students and others safe.

'œVaccinations protect not only the vaccinated persons but also those who come in contact with them, and at a university close contact is inevitable,'ť a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit says.

Students claimed the vaccine could be more dangerous than the virus, which has killed more than 600,000 people in the U.S. Federal appeals court Judge Frank Easterbrook fired back, writing, 'œPeople who do not want to be vaccinated (at IU) may go elsewhere.'ť

Each Supreme Court justice is responsible for requests from certain areas of the country, and Barrett handles cases from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

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