achieve social justice .
However , when he looks to major local companies , organizations and institutions , he sees only a few have women or people of color in top or even middle management roles .
“ We ’ re struggling as far as representation in the workplace ,” Brown says . “ Without diversity and equity and inclusion , you ’ re a dying society . It ’ s not like there aren ’ t resources out there for them to hire minority people . Sometimes , you have to think outside the box and hire the right people instead of family and friends . We ’ ve got a huge problem with nepotism .”
BLACK LIVES MATTER RALLIES IN DOWNTOWN ANDERSON IN 2020 PROTESTED POLICY BRUTALITY AND PROMOTED SOCIAL JUSTICE .
receives a steady stream of housing and employment complaints .
“ In Madison County , I don ’ t see giant steps ,” she says . “ I see baby steps . We could do more . We certainly could do better . There ’ s layers to this mess .”
Many people who aren ’ t marginalized mistakenly believe the U . S . has reached a state of equality and that those who struggle have only themselves to blame , Dixon-Tatum says . These people are in denial that remnants of the nation ’ s white supremacist , sexist and elitist past still exist . “ They believe they pulled themselves up by the bootstraps , and everyone can do that regardless of whether they have bootstraps ,” Dixon-Tatum explains .
“ There are some where the lightbulb has gone on and they see the importance of ongoing training with regards to cultural competence . There are many still that don ’ t get it and reject the idea of any sort of training or acknowledgement that there is a problem .”
Kim Townsend , executive director of the Anderson Housing Authority , sees clearly evident disparities in housing . For instance , there remains little diversity among residents in Madison County communities outside of Anderson .
Townsend also sees discrimination against those seeking to own or sell homes ; it comes in the form of home valuation and loan interest rates . “ There ’ s been incidents where people of color have tried to move to other places in Madison County , and they have experienced overt racial acts ,” Townsend points out .
The only thing that will lead to social justice , Townsend says , is deliberate action by those who have power . For instance , as recently as a few years ago when she became director , the housing authority offered what could only be called segregated housing in which white residents received privileges , she recalls .
Townsend has tried to achieve equity by seeking more diversity for her board and staff . “ There has to be an intentional effort to have Black supervisors ,” she says . “ I have the opportunity now to move the needle in my little sector . I had to recruit . I had to search to make sure my agency was diverse . It was an effort .”
Lindsay Brown , president of the Indiana Democratic African American Caucus , has taken on Anderson ’ s leaders in the areas of education , police brutality and employment . He says it takes deliberate effort to
Though some might expect immediate change , Brown says it will be a centuries-long process to undo what has become the norm of American society over 400 years . “ People aren ’ t going to wake up tomorrow and say , ‘ We ’ re all the same ,’” he explains . “ America is built on this , so it will take a long time to change .”
Larry McClendon , founder and president of the Redwood Foundation , believes social justice can be achieved , in part , by tackling symptoms of poverty . Those include food insecurity , lack of constructive activities for children and insufficient laundry services so the poor can make themselves presentable for job interviews .
Racism and politics are the main culprits that prevent progress , he says .
“ When it comes to certain groups , they can never break the glass system because of who they are and who they represent ,” McClendon continues . “ The resources deserve to go to the west side ( of Anderson ) just like they do to the north side and the east side . We don ’ t have the money to make an influence in the community . That ’ s where we ’ re stuck begging on our needs .”
Many of those interviewed for this article noted laws necessary for social justice already exist but must be enforced .
When new laws are needed , it ’ s a struggle to establish them because of the lack of equity in the political system , say Dixon-Tatum and Brown , who have run for political office . It starts with political parties that state an interest in diversity at election time but provide little support to minority candidates and continue with unfair redistricting and at-large voting areas that marginalize minority voices , they say .
As a result , in the 2020 election , for instance , not a single Black candidate won a race in the county . Anderson Community Schools , where nearly half the student population is non-white , was led by an all-white school board after Robert “ Buckie ” Bookhart lost his seat , which he regained in November 2022 .
Even after being elected , it ’ s a challenge to be taken seriously , according to some Black officeholders . Anderson City Council President Rebecca Crumes has repeatedly been denied budget information she requested . Mayor Tom Broderick and his administration have denied the access , citing concerns about employees ’ personal information being compromised .
When Crumes makes requests on behalf of her westside community , she says she ’ s accused of having tunnel vision , leaving many of her requests for improvements and services unfilled . Meanwhile , Crumes says , her colleagues on council are able to brag about what they have accomplished for their constituents .
“ Discrimination will have a forever effect on us , even when we do well ,” Crumes says . “ You have to be stronger when you are around the powers that be , which are made up of white men . I gotta argue , fuss , cuss , to get any attention .” •
2023 Diversity Magazine 25