Indianapolis mainstream media’s coverage of the life and meaning of Bill Crawford in the wake of his death was barely adequate. The TV stations’ coverage didn’t really explain Bill Crawford’s singular significance to this city and state.
But the TV coverage was far better than the coverage provided by Indianapolis’ so-called newspaper of record — The Indianapolis Star.
As an institution, the Star has had for years a serious blind spot when it comes to its coverage of Black elected officials (and other key Black leaders) in Indianapolis. Star reporters and editors really don’t know our community’s politicians and leaders and make no real serious attempt to reach out and get to know them.
Because of the newspaper’s posture of benign neglect, Black politicians and leadership tend to ignore the paper. If they deal with any mainstream Indy media, they prefer to deal with the more familiar (at least to them and their community) television stations.
Last week’s Star coverage of the impact of Bill Crawford’s death was superficially superficial.
Example: The warmest tribute to Bill Crawford came from his political adversaries, men he fought with politically, but found common ground on getting advances for our Black community.
On WTLC-AM (1310) “Afternoons with Amos,” I interviewed five of those adversaries — Gov. Mike Pence, former Gov. and current Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, former Gov. Joe Kernan and former mayors Bill Hudnut and Steve Goldsmith.
A few phone calls and e-mails set up those opportunities.
Pence’s words were warm and praising. Even though he didn’t work closely with Crawford, the governor talked about a couple of recent interactions with Crawford that showed his humanity and devotion to our community.
Daniels was warm in his praise of Crawford’s advocacy for his community and his political skills. Daniels, in a strong tribute, compared Bill Crawford to Frederick Douglas, a statement that would’ve brought a big smile to Bill’s face.
Kernan said he was a “political rookie” when he came to know Bill Crawford, saying he learned lots from Crawford’s expertise.
Goldsmith, acknowledging his strong political differences with Crawford, acknowledged his ability to work together with his adversaries. Goldsmith, in our interview, reminded us about some of Bill’s stances on education.
Hudnut was more direct, saying that if Bill Crawford hadn’t supported the original domed stadium proposal, it might not have been approved by the then-Democrat-dominated House of Representatives.
Imagine Indianapolis without the Dome and now Lucas Oil.
So, how is it that I could get these gentlemen to talk on the record about Bill Crawford, but the Indianapolis Star’s star columnist Matt Tully, veteran opinion writer Tim Swarens, the venerable Russ Pulliam and the Star’s new rookie African-American columnist Suzette Hackney couldn’t write one word about Crawford’s impact on Indiana and Indianapolis?
The Star (or other mainstream Indy media) never thought to convey to their readers the honest, warm appraisals about Crawford from Indiana’s and Indianapolis’ top leaders, with whom Crawford worked and fought over public policy for 40 years.
If this had been a white politician with 40 years of service in the legislature and even more in the Indianapolis community, Matt Tully and his Star columnist compatriots would’ve written a blizzard of laudatory words and columns about that white politician’s significance.
I bring all this up because next week this newspaper, Indianapolis’ oldest, celebrates its 120th birthday. I’ll be saying more next week about the Recorder and Black media’s role and impact in Indianapolis.
But I have to say that even after 40 years in Indianapolis media, I’m continually stunned at the lack of respect those of us in Black media receive from some of our mainstream peers.
I was honored to be asked to speak at Bill Crawford’s funeral. To be included with a congressman, governor, veteran lawmakers, a former mayor was a deep honor, and I thank the Crawford family for their faith in me.
But the Indy Star’s story mentioned all those public figures that spoke; except me.
When somebody Black does something negative, the Star and mainstream media are quick to report the negatives. When Blacks do something positive or make major contributions to the community, the Indy media ignores, marginalizes or belittles, thus reinforcing the negative stereotypes the majority community has about our community.
What I’m Hearing in the Streets
When Circle Centre Mall was built, there was a strong amount of minority participation in the mall’s construction. The city, Simon Malls and the mall’s owners were serious then about their minority participation goals. Nordstrom, which built its own store within the mall’s footprint, exceeded its minority goals. The retailer was also was very inclusionary in its vending practices.
Now comes word that Simon and the mall owners plan to spend $20 million to spruce up Circle Centre, which has lost its luster in recent years. But nowhere in the discussion has there been any mention of the minority participation goals for the proposed Circle Centre makeover.
In another downtown development deal, will Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) insist on strong minority participation and Marion County worker goals in any development of the IPS transportation depot on Massachusetts Avenue downtown? The parcel is the last open space in the city’s hottest development area.
Truth be told, minority-owned businesses and contractors have been given the bum’s rush in terms of involvement in the many housing developments that have sprung up downtown in recent years.
And the Ballard administration, despite its rhetoric on being minority businesses’ best friend, has allowed the blackout of Black-owned and minority-owned businesses in downtown development.
That blackout needs to stop. Hopefully with the new mayor!
See ya next week!
You can email Amos Brown at acbrown@aol.com.
