Northwest Indiana Discussion

Monday, January 17, 2005, The Ecumenical Committee of Northwest Indiana sponsored the 36th Annual Birthday Celebration at West Side High School for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was an enjoyable event. The same old politicians were visibly present, including for the first time, Governor Daniels.

Indiana State Representative Charlie Brown was asked at the last minute to replace Senator Earline Rogers because of her absence. His justification for turning the King celebration into a political rally was apparent when he opened his mouth and the same old political rhetoric was propagated throughout the auditorium.

Guest Speaker, Rev. Jeanette Wilson, (Attorney out of Chicago) spoke very eloquently. Especially concerning the condition of America and how depressed Dr. King would be and how he would react to the complacency of the African American in America if he was still alive.

Her position on the condition of America was to the point and relentlessly profound. She held back no punches. It was amazing to see and hear someone tell it exactly like it is despite having the Governor sitting just to her left as she spoke. The Governor appeared to be flabbergasted as he watched in horror. I can see a bigger picture now. I hope he can too.

The Indiana politicians will not publicly do what Rev. Wilson did. This is a major reason for the endless cycle of poverty and crime in the African American community. They don't like burning bridges.

She spoke about the sensless celebrations held throughout this country every year for Dr. King's Birthday. Senseless because of the advantage a student has of receiving a quality education who resides in Munster, opposed to the disadvantage a student has who resides in Gary 51 years after the late Justice, Thurgood Marshall's victorious desegragation of the public schools. He would probably say, "There is a lot of work to be done before we even consider celebrating anything."

She compared the extremely high cost for the construction of a jail cell to a minimal price for the construction of a classroom. Her observations are corroborated by the quality of education and learning conditions our children are being subjected to. She stated "our government spends more on incarcerating our youth opposed to educating them," which is true.

Superintendent, Dr. Mary Steel of the Gary Community School Corporation made a financial plea to the Governor.


Dwight Taylor