Indiana

Addressing racist allegations against Haitians through community support • Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2024

Addressing racist allegations against Haitians through community support • Indiana Capital Chronicle

By now, the unsubstantiated rumors of Haitians eating pets in Springfield, Ohio have been completely debunked. However, the animosity and hate towards Haitians has only heightened. Indianapolis and other communities in Indiana have also seen a large influx of Haitian immigrants in the last few years. The reality is – that Haitians come to places like Springfield, Indianapolis and Evansville because of the availability of jobs — period.

Theses times, however, are particularly dangerous as right-wing groups are weaponizing such dog-whistle lies to reignite racism that has been suppressed in mainstream America for the past few decades. All week long, I’ve been fielding calls about Haitian community centers receiving bomb threats from community leaders who are rightfully afraid for the safety of the Haitian people and theirs. Prominent Haitians in Ohio and elsewhere have been victims of swatting and other threats.

So, what can be done when those so much power repeat such despicable lies? With the advent of social media where unverifiable news move at such an exponential pace, the only viable option for leaders in the Haitian community is to set the record straight by providing new perspectives.

So, what really took place? Both Indiana and Ohio were economically depressed and devastated by COVID-19. The labor shortage in the Midwest, especially in the manufacturing sector, called for extraordinary business measures. Employers throughout the Midwest states, unable to fill regular orders, resorted to employing those willing and able to work back-breaking jobs, odd shifts, and overtime, often running the gamut of 60-70 hours a week — when needed.

It turned out that the group valuing hard work the most — since good wages and stable work have eluded them for most of their lives — were Haitians.

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So, this rapid relocation of Haitians to the Midwest has been transformative for both Haitians and the manufacturing sector in the Midwest. During these past four years, Haitians have worked ungodly number of hours to help close manufacturing production gaps, while Midwest employers fulfilled orders, added new shift and kept labor costs low — a win-win situation. According to the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, on the aggregate, the US economy has largely benefited from adding immigrants to its workforce. As a result, the tradeoff is that social costs have also risen, and inflation has lingered, creating angst and anxieties among the average American — further fueled and exploited by the extreme right rhetoric.

It is obvious that hospitals, local police departments, and school districts are in need of more employees with Haitian Creole proficiencies to accommodate the population increase. In Indiana, where I live, many such prominent organizations have reached out to local Haitian organizations to learn about the community they serve. These efforts have led to significant initiatives. Collaborations between city officials, the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office, and numerous healthcare organizations, including prominent research universities, have led to coalition addressing maternal, infant, and mental health, as well as jobs and housing challenges.

Hoosier efforts

From my humble opinion, these efforts could be replicated in other communities with burgeoning Haitian populations throughout the US. The model here is to have local Haitian leaders help major organizations and city officials navigate the deep cultural, social chasm that might exist between Ohioans, Hoosiers, and Haitians. Established Haitian organizations can play a powerful role and serve as a bridge, informing and guiding the best use of local resources, providing culturally appropriate recommendations by assisting in cultural competency and advocacy.

What gives me comfort is knowing that most Americans do care! Americans have always been known to lend a hand to those in need. Our organization received help from many strangers, all Hosiers; especially when Haiti suffered from the most devastating earthquake in 2010. So, what I’m essentially suggesting is that — if it feels broken to you, here are a few tips on what you can do:

Patronize a local Haitian business such as a restaurant or a Haitian bakery. Buy Haitian products online you like. Offer a space of worship to local Haitians who don’t have their own church building. Attend events organized by local Haitian organizations to learn about their culture and way of life. Be an ally and donate to your local Haitian organization, so they can continue to support programs that help Haitian families integrate into the community.

By taking these steps, you can empower Haitians trying to make a difference in their community, while uplifting your own community.

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Indiana

Indiana Wide Receivers Put Ego Aside For The Greater Good

Published

5 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

Indiana Wide Receivers Put Ego Aside For The Greater Good

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Perhaps more than any other position in football, wide receiver is one that is fueled by ego.

The stereotypical wide receiver wants the ball. He demands the ball. He lets his quarterback know, he lets his coordinator know, he lets his head coach know he’s the guy to move the sticks.

If a team has a talented receiver, he can take them far. One need only look at Maryland, Indiana’s opponent on Saturday.

Terrapin wide receiver Tai Felton gets the ball in ways most receivers would dream of. He has 41 catches for 604 yards and 5 touchdown catches. Per game, that works out to 10.25 catches, 151 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game. That makes Felton one of the most productive receivers in all of college football.

Accepting that we don’t know about Felton’s ego or how much he demands the ball, his level of production would be the envy of any receiver motivated by such things.

Meanwhile, Indiana does things differently.

In contrast to Maryland, where Felton accounts for 37.2% of the Terrapins’ total receptions, Indiana spreads the wealth.

Elijah Sarratt leads the Hoosiers with 15 receptions, but three other receivers – Myles Price (14), Omar Cooper Jr. (12), Miles Cross (12) – are right behind Sarratt. Two more – Ke’Shawn Williams (8) and tight end Zach Horton (7) have also been frequent targets.

No one Indiana receiver accounts for more than 19.4% of the Hoosiers’ reception total. It’s receiver-by-committee, just as the running backs operate under the same principle of sharing the ball.

It only works if you have buy-in from a position group where the individual players often demand the ball. So far, Indiana has been able to achieve that goal.

“It’s not as difficult when you’re about the team and you want the team to be successful,” Williams said. “We have a group of guys in our room who are extremely talented. Anybody that’s on that field can go out there and start and make plays.”

Indiana’s Myles Price (4) celebrates a long gain during the Indiana versus Charlotte football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Price, who came to Indiana after four seasons at Texas Tech, said putting his ego aside isn’t a problem.

“It’s about winning. Everyone wants to win. When you win, everyone gets looked at,” said Price, who peaked at 51 receptions while he was with the Red Raiders.

So suppression of ego for the good of the team can also be good for the individual? Price thinks so.

“You look at those teams that go on to win championships. They have 15-20 players that may get drafted and that’s just because they’re winning,” Price explained. “So it’s bringing more attention, it’s bringing more eyes. That’s how we look at it.”

Williams said he’s used to the dynamic of sharing the ball. He played regularly at Wake Forest from 2021-23. Williams never had less than 27 catches in any of those seasons, but he never ranked higher than third on the Demon Deacons in receptions.

“If you’ve watched over my career, I’ve been in crowded receiving rooms since I’ve been in college. I’ve been surrounded by great receivers,” Williams said.

For Williams, who is a fifth-year receiver getting his last chance to prove himself, he admitted it can be tough to be in sharing mode.

“Being a fifth-year guy, it’s definitely challenging,” Williams admitted. “You know, if I don’t go about it the right way, I only do nothing but hurt myself and hurt the team. Me doing the right thing while waiting for my turn allowed me to be successful and help the team win games once I got out there.”

Price, who led Texas Tech with 43 catches in 2023, believes the high tide of team success raises all boats in the end.

“We just continue to win. If it’s in God’s plan (for individual success), it’s in his plan. So I just kind of let that work itself out,” Price said.

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Indiana

Maryland coach Mike Locksley on Indiana football: ‘We got a big challenge on our hands’

Published

16 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Press Room

Maryland coach Mike Locksley on Indiana football: ‘We got a big challenge on our hands’

Indiana football’s disciplined approach under new coach Curt Cignetti has Mike Locksley’s attention. Locksley previewed Maryland’s showdown against the Hoosiers (4-0; 1-0 Big Ten) earlier this week.

“The things that jumps out to me, they are not going to give us this game,” Locksley said. “They are going to make us beat them.”

The Terps 44-17 win in 2023 over IU was a cakewalk.

Former starting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw a 62-yard completion on the first play of the game to set up an early touchdown. They led 27-3 at the half and Tagovailoa finished the game with six touchdowns (five passing).

Locksley expects this game to be a bit more of a chess match.

“They will figure out who to take away from us, and our complimentary players are going to have to step up,” Locksley said.

More: Indiana football: Why Curt Cignetti is familiar with Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr.

Maryland football coach Mike Locksley has deep respect for Curt Cignetti

Locksley is one of the many coaches in the Big Ten conference with a deep respect for the Cignetti family name. Cignetti’s father, Frank, is in the College Football Hall of Fame and his brother, Frank Jr., is a well-traveled coach with experience in the pros and college.

At the conference’s media days back in July, Greg Schiano, Kirk Ferentz and James Franklin all talked about how much the Cignetti name resonated in the midwest. Locksley reiterated the point on Monday.

“I know his family, his dad was a legendary coach at the other Indiana University [IUP], at Towson we played them every year,” Locksley said. “He comes from a football family.”

Towson was 0-4 against IUP during Locksley’s playing career white Frank Cignetti Sr. was the head coach.

He crossed paths with Curt back in the early 00’s when the two were both assistants in the ACC. Locksley was Maryland’s then running backs coach while Cignetti coached quarterbacks at NC State.

They both have experience coaching under Nick Sabana at Alabama as well.

“I can just tell you, they are a well-coached team,” Locksley said, after mentioning that connection.

More: Mind Your Banners: Priming the pump for IU’s crucial visit from Maryland

Maryland football coach Mike Locksley worried about IU’s offensive weapons

One of the big questions Locksley has to answer this week is how to slow down an Indiana offense that’s one of just five teams currently averaging 50-plus points and 500-plus yards a game.

“We got a big challenge on our hands,” Locksley said.

He was complimentary of quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who he described as someone with “moxie”, a “big arm” and “playing at a high level.” He also praised IU’s stable of running backs that have averaged a combined 5.8 yards per carry and leads the FBS with 18 touchdowns.

The player that stood out the most for Locksley on IU’s offense is tight end Zach Horton. Horton has modest numbers in the receiving game this season — seven catches for 67 yards with a touchdown — but Locksley sees him as integral to the team’s overall success.

“He is the glue for them on offense,” Locksley said. “This is a guy that’s really talented in the run game. You get enamored in catches and production there (at receiver), but as a coach when you look at things as I think of things on offense, he’s the heart and soul of it. His style of play is what you like. I respect the way he plays.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

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Indiana

‘They’ve turned the corner’: Indiana football catches eye of CBS Sports analyst

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2024

Press Room

‘They’ve turned the corner’: Indiana football catches eye of CBS Sports analyst

Indiana football is getting some national attention.

CBS college football analyst Aaron Taylor said he believes the Hoosiers are for real and can be a factor in the Big Ten race.

“My goodness, they’re playing some really good football right now,” Taylor said, before ticking off a few of IU’s accomplishments:

∎ Coach Curt Cignetti is IU’s first coach to win his first four games.

∎ They have rushed for 200-yards plus in three games.

∎ IU has committed 0 turnovers.

∎ All of their wins have been by at least 24 points.

Touchdown machine: Hoosiers ‘just think: score, score score.’

“Beginning of the season, (Cignetti) said, ‘I win.’ We all said, ‘Oh, yeah, he’s got that false bravado,’” Taylor said. “He wasn’t lying.

“I know it’s early, but you can’t talk about a better start to a season. They’ve turned the corner and are going to make things really interesting down the stretch.”

The Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) host Maryland (3-1, 0-1) on Saturday.

Indiana football vs. Maryland start time

Noon ET Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana

What channel is IU football on vs. Maryland?

BTN

How to stream, watch Maryland-Indiana game

The Indiana-Maryland matchup will stream on the Fox Sports app at noon ET Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.