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Page A6 Indianapolis Recorder Friday, January 31, 2025(317) 924-5143P.O. Box 18499, Indianapolis, IN 46218-0499newsroom@indyrecorder.comIndianapolis Recorder Newspaper encourages short, concise letters to the editor and opinion articles from the public. Letters and opinion articles will be used at the editor%u2019s discretion and are subject to editing. We will not guarantee publication of material received. We cannot guarantee dates of publication. Letters containing libelous or untrue statements will not be published. All letters and opinion articles must include a verifi able full name, address and telephone number. This information will not be published at the request of the writer. Letters and articles should be typed but will be accepted if handwriting is legible.BUSINESSBusiness Off ce Manager..............Lystina JimenezBusiness Off ce/Legals..................CrystalfflDalton ADVERTISING/MARKETINGSenior Strategic Media Consultant......Rita J. Wise Sales Representative...................Michael FalkerPRODUCTIONProduction Manager..........................................................................................Jeana M. Lewis OuattaraGeorge P. StewartFounder-EditorPublisher1895-1924Marcus C. Stewart Sr.Editor-Publisher1925-1988Eunice TrotterEditor-in-ChiefPublisher1988-1990William G. MaysOwner/ Publisher1990-presentPresident/Chief Executive Off cer................................................................................................Robert ShegogEDITORIALEditor-in-Chief.................................Camike Jones Copy Editor..................................Mandi PattersonTechnology Editor......................Rupal Thanawala Arts & Culture Reporter.................Chloe McGowanMulti-Media & Sports Reporter.........Noral ParhamHealth & Environmental Reporter.............................................................................Hanna RauworthBy LARRY SMITHStephen Miller has made quite a name for himself in the last few years. At just 39 years of age, he is the new White House Deputy Chief of Staff, as well as U.S. Homeland Security Advisor. Most importantly, Miller is by all accounts one of President Donald Trump%u2019s closest advisors. Miller is the primary architect of Trump%u2019s immigration pronouncements and policies, which was the case during his first term as well. Muslim Ban during Trump%u2019s first term? Miller. Separating migrant parents from their children? Miller. Reducing legal immigration? Miller. Beyond immigration policy, Miller is known as one of Trump%u2019s most loyal %u2014 even obsequious %u2014 acolytes. He diligently worked his way from relative obscurity all the way into Trump%u2019s inner circle during the run up to his first term in office. Miller even became one of the coterie of people who wrote Trump%u2019s first inaugural address. When Miller wasn%u2019t at Trump%u2019s side, he was offstage working at his behest. Miller remained one of Trump%u2019s strongest defenders after the 2020 election defeat %u2014 and a key purveyor of the traitorous attempt to overturn it. Initially, this was a point at which Trump was somewhat of a pariah even among Republicans. Further (perhaps most importantly to Trump), Miller appears to be content lurking in the shadows rather than usurping the spotlight. In MAGA world, it%u2019s hard to find someone who bleeds redder blood than Stephen Miller. Most disturbingly, Miller has trafficked in white nationalist propaganda, including from American Renaissance and VDARE. The latter%u2019s founder, Peter Brimelow, is an avowed racist who has said that %u201cwhites built American culture,%u201d adding, %u201cit is at risk from non-whites who would seek to change it.%u201d While VDARE ceased operating in 2024, its corrosive effects will be felt for years to come.Miller is a descendent of Jewish immigrants who came to America after fleeing pogroms in what is now Belarus. It is astounding that he has become an enabler of avowed anti-Semites. Tragically, Miller views them as allies in his quest to cripple non-white immigration to the U.S. For him, the American melting pot contains an ethnic stew that has too many ingredients. Even as a high school student, Miller%u2019s racism against Latinos was evident. For example, he was fond of telling Hispanics to %u201conly speak English.%u201d One of his classmates from high school has said Miller ended their friendship because that classmate was Latino. Later, as an undergraduate at Duke University, Miller befriended Richard Spencer. Spencer is one of America%u2019s best-known white nationalists. The sad truth is that, as extreme as Miller is, he hasn%u2019t implemented everything that he desires. Most people would be surprised to learn that, apparently, the person who limits Miller%u2019s influence on Trump is Trump himself. The fact that Miller is willing to go even further in anti-immigration policies than is the president says a great deal. We don%u2019t know exactly what Trump%u2019s second term in office heralds for many issues, including immigration. We do know that this administration has begun with a so-called %u201cflood the zone%u201d strategy. In short, Trump is attempting to do as much as he can to disrupt, disorient, and debase those whom he perceives to be his enemies. This time he has four years of experience and a clear blueprint for action. Deportations of undocumented immigrants have already begun in earnest, including at places %u2014 including churches %u2014 that were formerly considered to be safe. We have come a very long way from Ronald Reagan%u2019s %u201cshining city on a hill.%u201d (Some will recall that Reagan signed into law an amnesty bill that ultimately gave permanent legal status to roughly 2.7 million undocumented immigrants.) If Trump and Miller have their way, America will no longer be a beacon of light; it will be a haven of darkness. The Devil%u2019s advocateEDITORIALBy MARSHAWN WOLLEYThe next innovation in education should be limiting the number of charter school authorizers operating in Indianapolis.Currently, there are 11 different entities that can authorize charter schools in Indianapolis.Organizations like Trine University based in Angola, Indiana %u2014 over 100 miles away can significantly impact the educational landscape of inner-city Indianapolis through the authorization of charter schools. For example, Trine University has authorized seven schools with six in the IPS district and a seventh planned for Pike Township but has received significant community pushback. While there%u2019s a lot that we still need to understand regarding the long-term efficacy and impacts of charters on a community %u2014 charter schools are not going away.While simply stating %u201ccharter schools%u201d outperform IPS is too simplistic of an analysis given that each charter is an independent school system %u2014 there are certainly high-performing charter schools. Candidly, parents are also exercising their prerogative to send their children to charter schools. That is how school choice works. But it seems fiscally irresponsible to continue to take the limited financial resources within the Indianapolis Public School district and to smear them across separate charter school systems within one district %u2014 especially with virtually no constraints on the number of entities that can authorize charters schools in the district. There are only so many students in the district. But perhaps the main reason why there should be a limit on charter authorizers is that, according to an IndyStar analysis, a third of Indy charter schools close.Is it fiscally responsible to allow 11 different authorizers, mostly outside of Indianapolis the ability to divert limited public funds to unelected boards leading ventures that on average only last five years?A report by the National Center for Charter School Accountability found%u00a0that nationally%u00a0 25% of charter schools close within five years but by year 20 the study found that 55% are closed.%u00a0As a former charter school board member of a school that had to close suddenly the trauma to the students, families, staff and community can%u2019t be dismissed as %u201ca feature of the system.%u201dIt is a problem which has a destabilizing impact on communities %u2014 and too often mostly Black students, Black families, and the Black community.Dismissing high closure rates as %u201caccountability%u201d mistakes the role of authorizers who should be trusted to identify strong charter systems.%u00a0I think most education reformers understand that closing schools isn%u2019t a positive outcome. As research suggests that most charters close due to academic performance, low enrollment and financial issues, charter school authorizers should embrace several reforms.That failed charter schools can %u201cshop%u201d authorizers %u2014 losing their charter from one only to gain a charter from another authorizer must also be addressed.There should be greater accountability for charter school authorizers. Authorizing too many schools that fail should impact the ability of authorizers to operate.There should be a limit to the number of charter schools that can be authorized each year in a school district. At this time, due to the existence of 11 authorizers there is virtually no limit to how many charter schools can be added into a district in any given year which impacts enrollments for all schools.%u00a0As a graduate of Washington Township schools, former charter school board member, donor to a charter school, vendor to IPS and parent that sends my son to a private school, I appreciate the desire to have high quality school choice options.Charters can be a high-quality option, but unfortunately, we are trapped in a system that lacks appropriate systemic safeguards %u2014 which potentially harms all schools in the IPS district.The next innovation in education in Indiana needs to be greater accountability for charter school authorizers.We should start with limiting the number of authorizers operating in Indianapolis.The next education reform should be to limit the number of charter authorizers operating in IndianapolisBy REGINA SLOANAs humans, we are naturally driven to want more. We set goals, achieve them, and then immediately aim for the next milestone. This cycle can be amazing when balanced in a healthy way. Striving for more helps us expand beyond what we thought possible, pushing us to live fully engaged lives. It%u2019s invigorating!But here%u2019s the problem: when we believe that achieving the goal itself %u2014 a new career, house, car, vacation, or a huge savings account %u2014 is what creates joy, gratitude, or worthiness. This false belief can lead to a life filled with hustle and exhaustion, only to %u201carrive%u201d and feel the same %u2014 or worse %u2014 because of unmet expectations.Here%u2019s the truth: 99% of the time, we are on the journey. Only 1% of the time will we actually be at the destination before we%u2019re onto the next goal. That means most of your life is spent in the pursuit %u2014 not the achievement. If you don%u2019t learn how to enjoy the now, you%u2019ll miss the beauty of your current life.Your feelings don%u2019t come from the goal or the %u201cthing.%u201d They come from your thoughts about what you%u2019ve accomplished. For example, someone working hard to pay off their home might think, %u201cOnce I%u2019ve paid it off, I%u2019ll feel proud and at peace.%u201d But peace and pride aren%u2019t tied to the goal %u2014 they come from thoughts like, %u201cI did it%u201d or %u201cIt%u2019s officially mine.%u201dHere%u2019s the empowering truth: peace and pride can be created right now. Reflect on the things you%u2019re already proud of in your life. You don%u2019t have to wait to reach any goal to create positive emotions now.As you set your goals for 2025, try this:Write a list of 10 things you really want to create or achieve.If you could make one of those things happen now, which one would make the biggest difference in your life? Let this become your focus in 2025.We can pursue many goals, but focusing on one main goal keeps us organized and aware when we%u2019re off track.To reach your goals, start by answering these questions:How will you feel when you%u2019ve achieved this goal? What emotion will it create? Practice feeling that emotion now.What will you need to think about yourself to take the consistent action required? Be intentional with how you think about your goal and your ability to achieve it.What obstacles are standing in your way right now?Turn those obstacles into your strategy for the year. Each one becomes part of your to-do list. For example, if %u201cnot enough time%u201d is an obstacle, your strategy might include carving out an hour each morning for focused work.Take time to think of solutions for each obstacle. Remember, you don%u2019t have to be perfect. Perfectionism only holds you back. You won%u2019t know if every action will work %u2014 but taking action leads to more data and brings you closer to what does work. Trial and error, combined with consistent effort, is how we create real change.Pursuing goals is about balance %u2014 working toward what you want while staying present in the life you%u2019re living now. The future you%u2019re striving for only matters in the present moment. When you %u201carrive%u201d at your goal, the only time you%u2019ll experience it is in the now.This balance allows us to push ourselves toward aspirations while appreciating our current relationships, experiences and gifts. It creates a richer, more fulfilling life.If you%u2019re setting goals for 2025, remember to remain in constant gratitude for the present. Without this balance, we risk looking back on life wondering what happened %u2014 waiting on something external to bring us the joy and peace we had the power to create all along.Want to gain clarity on your 2025 goals and learn how to focus on ONE key area? Join us for our virtual vision board party on Jan. 31. To register, email info@reginasloancoaching.com.Regina Sloan is a life coach focused on helping women break through barriers and create lasting change in their personal & professional lives. Reach her at info@reginasloancoaching.com; LinkedIn: Regina Sloan; Facebook: Regina Sloan Coaching; Instagram: @Yourmindsetnurse.Get clear on your 2025 goals with purpose and presence