SHABAZZ: Looking for Indiana’s next generation of political leaders
This election revealed up-and-coming leaders in both parties in Indiana.
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz
Articles
SHABAZZ: A few thoughts on free speech in a sensitive world
If someone has a problem with something this country is doing, they have every right to peacefully protest. I did not say riot; I said protest.
SHABAZZ: There’s a lot of good news in Indiana’s jobs numbers
The state’s economy added more than 11,000 jobs in July and more Hoosiers were working than ever before. Unemployment is at 4.6 percent and the state’s workforce participation rate is 65.4 percent—the national average is 62.8 percent.
SHABAZZ: Insightful facts about police-action shootings
A majority of the suspects who were shot while armed were white.
SHABAZZ: Whatever happened to my father’s Republican Party?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 would not have passed had it not been for Republicans. That’s right. While the Democrats of today have monopolized the title of champion of civil rights, back in the day, it was the GOP that came to the rescue.
SHABAZZ: John Gregg and the Mitch Daniels Republicans
There is a certain amount of irony in the fact that the person Indiana Democrats have hated the most in the last 12 years might be their only salvation to recapture the office he took from them back in 2004.
SHABAZZ: When third parties become our first choices
In a recent poll by Rasmussen, nearly one in four voters said they would stay home or vote a third party if Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were the nominees of their respective parties.
SHABAZZ: Gentrification–Here comes the neighborhood
Gentrification is controversial, but guess what? It works.
SHABAZZ: ‘Diversity’ is about thought and opinion, not race
It’s offensive—and, in fact, quite racist—to think a black person or minority has “black” or “minority” opinions simply because of the color of his or her skin.
SHABAZZ: Indiana needs more than a pothole solution for roads
Indiana needs a long-term fix for its roads and bridges. For too long, Indiana’s road-funding solution has been to pour more short-term money into projects while never addressing the state’s long-term needs.
SHABAZZ: Hogsett, Dems own Indy’s government—and its problems
With Joe Hogsett as mayor and the Democrats with control of the council by a 13-12 margin, they now have the power to put their vision into play. They also get the responsibility if things go south.
SHABAZZ: Worried about Trump? Scrutinize the survey numbers
For all the consternation about alleged Republican GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump, I really don’t worry about him all that much.
SHABAZZ: Indiana Democrats’ road plans are paths to nowhere
Hey, guys. How’s it been going? I am writing this column to offer you all some friendly advice.
SHABAZZ: Pence v Gregg sequel may be worth the popcorn
The problem with most sequels is that, with a few exceptions, they are never as good as the original—Superman II and Star Trek II notwithstanding of course.
SHABAZZ: Thank you for choosing to smoke, or not
Anti-smoking advocates like to push the image of servers forced to work in a smoke-filled bar because they have no choice. Sorry my friends, in real life the facts tend to lead otherwise.
Township jobs offer benefits, money for little work
Just like Willie Sutton, who liked to rob banks because that’s where the money was, I’m going to get myself a job in township government because, "There is gold in them thar hills."
Commentary: All the signs of an upset were there
I recently had a post-election conversation with a good friend who is a staunch supporter of Mayor Bart Peterson. We were talking about the two-term incumbent’s loss to the little-known challenger, Greg Ballard. My friend told me, “Abdul, I never thought Bart Peterson would lose.” My response: “Neither did he and that’s why he did.” I am amazed at how many people were shocked at what happened less than a month ago, because, if you paid attention, you saw it…
Commentary: To the victor go the schools?
I have no idea who will get the job of mayor of Indianapolis come Nov. 7. But whoever it is can make a real difference in this town by tackling its most pressing issue: public schools. Good schools are the lifeblood of any community. They increase property values, lower crime and make your municipality more attractive to companies looking to relocate. Marion County schools haven’t had the best track records. Whether it’s Indianapolis Public Schools and its academic performance, Washington…
Commentary: Here’s how to make a living (wage)
Of all the topics I could have chosen to write about this week, the one I kept coming back to was the whole issue of “living wage.” You guys are a pretty sharp audience by the fact you read this publication, so maybe one of you can help me figure out the living wage crowd. I just don’t get them. If you saw last week’s IBJ, you probably read Michael Dabney’s story on the ongoing efforts by the Service Employees…
Commentary: Is this any way to run a government?
As someone who writes and pontificates about the events of the day, summer is usually my slow season. I have to work hard to find things to write and talk about for public consumption. However, this summer has been a whole different matter. We have all been taken aback by the tax protests and subsequent government actions to mitigate the damage. But that wasn’t the big story that caught my attention. The story that stuck in my craw was the…