Local Power, Policy Threats & A Town Hall
Hey y’all — it’s been about 75 days into what might be the most ridiculous presidential administration we’ve ever seen. And that’s saying something, considering we’re only four years removed from the last time we swore we’d never do this again. Yet, here we are — rerunning the same political reality show, but with a cast somehow even less qualified. It’s like we handed over the keys to the country to the losing team from a late-’90s episode of American Gladiators.
I wish I had something profound or original to say about it, but let’s be honest — you’ve heard it all. I’ve unsubscribed from so many newsletters and podcasts lately (mostly hosted by middle-aged white guys just talking to hear themselves talk), and if I’m tired of the commentary, I bet you are too.
Now that we’ve all screamed into the void about the national stuff, let me bring your attention to something sneaky but serious happening right here in Indiana.
DEI Under Threat: Update on SB289
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus recently issued a warning about Senate Bill 289, which was heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, April 7. If passed, this bill could severely restrict Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts across the state. It would eliminate DEI offices in state agencies and schools, and even limit how educators are allowed to teach certain topics in their classrooms.
Let’s be clear: this bill misrepresents what DEI is and why it matters.
“In a state with a deep-rooted history of racial discrimination, we cannot allow the progress we have made to be upended. DEI offices were created because of the need to ensure people of color and other marginalized groups are given equal opportunities and are treated with fairness and respect. We know that while headway has been made on these fronts, the fight still continues to this day.
DEI offices and practices do not exist to discriminate or anoint one group of people over another. They are a vital tool in safeguarding the voices and experiences of people of color and other vulnerable groups.”
Personal story time:
In my professional life, I’ve sat on hiring committees where the most qualified candidate was passed over because they didn’t match the team’s “culture.” And that often translated to “They don’t look like me” or “I already had someone in mind who’s cool with my off-color jokes.”
That’s not a meritocracy. That’s systemic bias. And it’s why I work to ensure that in my workplace this doesn’t happen. Along with a lot of other people trying to do the same thing. And now these efforts might end in favor of a racist system that a lot of people who look like me seem to think benefits them, while ultimately ensuring mediocrity.
SB289 has passed out of committee and is now heading to the House floor. If you’re not already contacting your representatives about this — now is the time.
📍 Read more (and subscribe) here
Kids Are Getting Hit — And the Silence Is Deafening
Friends of mine at Safe Streets Indy (the folks behind the Indy Pedestrian Safety Crisis initiative) recently shared this heartbreaking update:
“March saw a total of 8 incidents involving juveniles (and 10 during the 30-day period between 2/26 and 3/26).
Of those 8 incidents in March, at least 7 victims were hospitalized.
Four were classified as involving Serious Bodily Injury. Ages of those 4? 9, 7, 14, and 12.”
And what have we heard from our elected officials?
“The vast majority of city officials in Indianapolis have remained completely silent.
Only one Councilor (Jesse Brown, D13) has spoken out publicly.
Not a single other Councilor, Vision Zero Task Force member, or the Mayor has said a word.”
This is not a partisan issue. This is about children being struck in our streets, and leaders choosing silence over action.
📍 Read the full Safe Streets Indy update.
So What Do We Do? Local. Hyper-local.
I’m turning away from the national noise and focusing on the stuff that actually affects us: neighborhood safety, transportation, overdose prevention, and holding local leadership accountable.
That brings me to the Near East CRDC Townhall.
What’s a CRDC?
It’s a Community Resource District Council — your neighborhood’s support squad. The CRDC helps distribute info when critical incidents happen (like police action shootings) and hosts the Race and Cultural Relations Network.
Basically: if you care about what’s happening on the Near East Side, this is for you.
📅 Near East CRDC Townhall
When: Thursday, April 24 at 6 PM
Where: Englewood Christian Church 57 N Rural St, Indianapolis, IN 46201
Speakers:
• IMPD Chief of Police
• Overdose Lifeline
• Marion County Public Health Department
• IndyGo
Topics: The state of the city, overdose prevention, and transportation equity.
Did you know? Overdose deaths in Indy were rising, but on the Near East Side, we managed to reduce them by 20%. That’s no accident — it’s the result of coordinated, community-based work.
We’re also working with the IndyGo Foundation to improve mobility for our neighbors through a grant we received last month. Because reliable transportation is essential for survival.
Medicine For Your Soul
After all this, we need something positive. Once upon a time, I was a professional musician. (Note: professional means got paid, not necessarily that I was good.). As a musician, when I left the industry, I started a little mailing list for a few thousand industry insiders. These days, I don’t write about the music world much — I’m too busy trying to fix my community — but we all need a little funk to carry us through the nonsense, so I thought I’d share what I’ve been vibing on:
Chaka Khan – “I Feel For You” (1984)
Originally written by Prince and recorded in ’79, Chaka’s version came five years later and honestly, it is one of the few covers of a Prince tune that was both more popular AND better in all ways. This is high praise as my favorite artists are Prince and David Bowie in a tie that I’m not even going to try to rank either beyond this.
Let’s talk lineup:
• Chaka Khan, of course
• Stevie Wonder on harmonica
• Grandmaster Melle Mel rapping
• And Indianapolis’ own Reggie Griffin, a multi-instrumentalist who helped launch Babyface’s early career through Manchild.
Also: the breakdancing in the video blew my Arkansas kid-brain wide open. Stars from Breakin’ like Shabba Doo, Boogaloo Shrimp, and Lollipop made it unforgettable.
🗣️ Final Word
Thanks for reading. Forward this to a neighbor. Bring a friend to the town hall. Or hit reply and tell me what’s on your mind.
We’re in this together.
—Clif
Great work Clif.
Hey. Cliff... any thoughts on the city council meeting last night?