FROM THE EDITOR
We ’ ve learned a lot this year
There ’ s nothing much that can
be said about 2020 that hasn ’ t already been stated . We ’ re all ready to move forward to a new year .
But while 2020 will forever be linked to the coronavirus , social unrest and an ugly presidential race , we have learned quite a few lessons this year .
Locally , we ’ ve been fortunate to see a decent rebound economically from what we hope is a short-term recession . Despite record job losses , many Hoosiers have returned to the labor force .
Still , the setbacks have come with a price , and many of us are understandably concerned about the future . We learned this year that our incomes can be threatened and that our jobs are not as stable as we ’ d like to believe .
While Southern Indiana has made great strides over the past decade in economic growth , too many people are still living paycheck to paycheck with little or no savings . As we move forward , hopefully we can prioritize positions that have longevity and pay livable wages .
This year has also provided opportunities for creativity . Our restaurants have led the way in this effort by implementing curbside service and going to extraordinary measures to keep their establishments safe and open for business . Perhaps some of these practices can continue even when , or rather if , life returns to a pre-pandemic sense of normalcy .
Our municipal and county governments have worked well with local restaurants and businesses . They depend on each other . Government can ’ t survive without the taxes collected through commerce , and businesses need the public sector ’ s help with infrastructure , regulation and , in cases when unforeseen circumstances arise ( like a pandemic ), funding to survive .
While businesses can ’ t last long if they ’ re constantly depending on government grants , there are partnerships that can be forged that would be mutually beneficial .
We ’ ve also learned in 2020 that we ’ re pretty capable of surviving tough times . We ’ re often compared to previous generations and told that we ’ re just not as strong as those were who came before us . But we deserve some credit . The coronavirus has affected all of us in some way , and we ’ ve managed pretty well . We ’ ve adapted to new technology to continue to working , sacrificed to keep others safe by wearing masks and have become experts on stopping the spread of contagious illnesses . Kudos to us !
But we ’ ve also realized this year that we ’ re still failing at diversity . From businesses to public safety to representation in elected office , Black people are still well behind their white counterparts when it comes to equal treatment and opportunity .
This is an easily proven fact , but some of us still resist even admitting that Black people aren ’ t treated the same in our society . We all have work to do on this front . It starts with us acknowledging there are issues , and if 2020 hasn ’ t shown us that , I ’ m not sure anything will .
We have to work on short-term and long-term plans to address injustice and inequality . White people have to be less defensive when the topic of racial equality is broached . Black people have to demand more than the status quo . We all have to be accountable for our actions , or lack thereof , and work together .
Good and bad , 2020 has taught us many lessons . We ’ re all feeling a little unsure of the future , but we can take some comfort in knowing that many of the greatest moments in our history came after some of our deepest losses .
Here ’ s hoping for a great 2021 .
Daniel Suddeath is the editor of Southern Indiana Business Magazine , and the senior reporter for the News and Tribune . He can be reached at 812-206- 2152 , or by email at daniel . suddeath @ newsandtribune . com .
4 November / December 2020