Thread by @goosenotter

🧵 #inlegis Rep. Jim Lucas calls a story about Black Hoosiers expressing concern over weakening laws and gun violence “garbage”.

Lucas will tell you he’s not a racist. He is.

Let’s explore the facts from the article (also available here: indystar.com/story/news/loc…)

#LucasMustGo

Here’s some facts from the article which Rep Lucas calls “garbage”:

When the city counted its 100th homicide in June, 81% were a result of gunshots, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police data, and 74% of those killed were Black.

This tracks with data from 2020, where 183 Black victims accounted for 74.69% of total homicides.

Nearly 40% of Indiana's Black residents live in Indianapolis according to Census data.

Indiana had the third-highest death rate for Black homicide victims in the U.S. in 2018, according to an analysis last year by the Violence Policy Center. Many of those were linked to guns.

“Many told IndyStar they feel the new gun law is another grim example of state legislators' disregard for Black Hoosiers' wellbeing. They remain uncertain about what comes next.”

Also from Dynel Fitzpatrick doing the important work of gun violence intervention:

“But now, he's concerned at the frightening joyfulness rising in the streets ahead of Friday.
‘I'm actually seeing that a lot of teenagers (18 and 19-year-olds) are actually eager for July 1,’ Fitzpatrick said. ‘They’re waiting.’”

From Lucas’ fellow legislator @RCShackleford: “They feel like they totally have not been heard,” Shackleford said, “like there’s no care for our community and our kids that have been victims of homicides.”

The state’s recent signal of apathy toward Black communities follows a…

common pattern of neglect:
economic disinvestment, crumbling infrastructure, low employment, underfunded schools and scarce health services. The compound effect of which Shackleford said is likely to increase crime.

This is not “garbage”, Jim. This is the real-life experience of Hoosiers. These are same concerns we voiced during the session that you and others scoffed at as “fear mongering.”

Admit it: you’re a racist.

You do not care if Black Hoosiers live or die.