>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY.

>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AT LEAST THREE LARGE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED OR LOSE THEIR JOBS.

BUT SOME I.U.

HEALTH WORKERS SAY THE MANDATE IS A HUGE OVERREACH!

>> IT IS BEING SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS.

>> INDIANA DOESN'T HAVE A GOOD RAIL SYSTEM TO CONNECT CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, BUT MANY HOOSIERS ARE HOPEFUL THE PRESIDENT'S $10 BILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL COULD BE THE TICKET TO EXPANDING SERVICE.

>> I BELIEVE IF PEOPLE PUT THEIR BACK TO IT, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT SOMETHING IN THREE YEARS.

>> AND SOME INDIANA OFFICIALS ARE LEADING THE PUSH TO OPPOSE THE TEACHING OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN INDIANA SCHOOLS.

>> WHAT THIS IS DOING IS INJECTING THE WARPED POLITICS OF THE LEFT IN OUR CLASSROOM.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE RELEASING COVID-19 INFECTION DATA LESS FREQUENTLY AS THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES DECLINES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS NO LONGER UPDATING ITS COVID-19 CASE AND VACCINE DASHBOARDS ON SUNDAYS, CALLING THE DAILY UPDATES LESS CRUCIAL AS NEW COVID-19 CASES IN THE STATE REACH ALL-TIME LOWS.

ON MONDAY, THE STATE REPORTED 140 NEW COVID-19 CASES, THE LOWEST NUMBER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> MORE THAN 2.7 MILLION HOOSIERS ARE NOW CONSIDERED FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

SOME EMPLOYERS ARE TELLING THEIR WORKERS THEY HAVE TO GET THE SHOT OR THEY WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS.

THAT INCLUDES EMPLOYEES AT THE STATE'S LARGEST HOSPITAL SYSTEM I.U.

HEALTH.

AS GEORGE HALE REPORTS SOME EMPLOYEES SAY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION'S EMERGENCY VACCINE APPROVAL IS NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT -- >> THE DISTRICT JUDGE'S RULING CAME THE SAME DAY AS HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND OTHERS SHOWED UP TO A PROTEST OUTSIDE OF AN I.U.

HEALTH BUILDING IN INDIANAPOLIS.

THE RULING UPHELD THE TEXAS HOSPITAL VACCINE POLICY WHICH IS SIMILAR TO I.U.

HEALTH'S.

I.U.

HEALTH IS TELLING ITS EMPLOYEES THEY MUST GET VACCINATED BY SEPTEMBER IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIR JOBS.

SOME WORKERS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT, AND THEY WEREN'T THE ONLY ONES WHO SHOWED UP AT SATURDAY'S RALLY TO PROTEST I.U.

HEALTH'S REQUIREMENTS.

>> IT IS BEING SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS!

[ APPLAUSE ] INDIANA STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN JACOB TOUTED HIS OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED BILLS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION.

>> WE PASSED LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENTS COULD NOT PUT A PASSPORT IN PLACE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> I.U.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY VACCINATING THEIR EMPLOYEES IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

THEY ALSO SAY EMPLOYEES CAN FILE FOR MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS TO THE VACCINE REQUIREMENT.

THE RALLY OUTSIDE OF THE FAIRBANKS HALL BUILDING MADE AN IMPRESSION ON DERRICK SALS A MAINTENANCE WORKER AT RYLIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

>> IT'S ALL BEEN SAID OUT HERE ON THE CANAL TODAY.

THREE HOURS OF SPEAKERS AND THAT'S ALL THE HELP I NEEDED TO MAKE MY FINAL DECISION.

>> SALS SAYS HIS FATHER DIED OF COVID-19 AND HE UNDERSTANDS THE VIRUS IS DANGEROUS.

HE SAYS PART OF THE REASON HE OPPOSES VACCINATION IS HE DOESN'T WORK WITH PATIENTS AND SPEAKERS AT THE RALLY CONVINCED HIM OF RISKS THEY BELIEVE ARE CONNECTED TO THE VACCINE.

>> AND I'M NOT JUST SOME REPUBLICAN COOK.

I'M NOT JUST SOME RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE RIGHT WINGER.

I HAVE SEVERE CONCERNS ABOUT MY HEALTH AFTER SAYING THIS VACCINE.

>> THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL EMPHASIZES THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE U.S. HAVE RECEIVED VACCINE WITHOUT INCIDENTS.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE RISKS OF COVID-19 FAR OUTWEIGH POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OR COMPLICATIONS FROM THE VACCINE.

STILL, ACCORDING TO POLLS, ABOUT A QUARTER OF AMERICANS SAY THEY WON'T GET VACCINATED.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT MORE THAN 13,000 HOOSIERS HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M GEORGE HALE.

>>> IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE INDIANA LOST SEVEN DAY A WEEK AMTRAK SERVICE FROM INDIANAPOLIS.

RAIL SUPPORTERS ARE HOPEFUL A TRAIN LINE WILL RETURN TO INDIANA EVEN IF IT ISN'T ON AMTRAK.

ADAM PINSKER SAYS IT COULD HINGE ON THE COMPLETION OF ANOTHER RAIL LINE.

>> OLSON BELIEVES WHEN PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER ON A COMMON GOAL, GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN AND THAT'S WHAT HE ENVISIONS WHEN HE THINKS OF REVIVING INDIANA'S PASSENGER RAIL INDUSTRY.

>> I BELIEVE IF PEOPLE PUT THEIR BACK TO IT, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT SOMETHING IN THREE YEARS.

>> OLSON SAYS EYE CENTURY AGO, MORE THAN A DOZEN TRAINS PER DAY OPERATED OUT OF LaFAYETTE, FERRYING PASSENGERS ALL OVER THE MIDWEST AND BEYOND.

NOW AMTRAK'S LaFAYETTE STATION RESEMBLES A GHOSTTOWN WITH ONE TRAIN RUNNING THREE DAYS A WEEK BETWEEN CHICAGO AND NEW YORK CITY.

TWO YEARS AGO TWO TO DWINDLING RIDERSHIP, THE HOOSIER STATE LINE PULLED OUT OF INDIANA FOR THE LAST TIME.

>> IT'S HARD FOR ME NO BELIEVE THAT THEY COULDN'T GET ENOUGH -- TO BELIEVE THAT THEY COULDN'T GET ENOUGH PASSENGERS TO KEEP THAT PASSENGER TRAIN GOING FROM FORT WAYNE TO CHICAGO.

>> THEY COSPONSORED A ILL FATED BILL THAT WOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED THE INDIANA RAIL PASSENGER COMMISSION.

THEY WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT WAYS TO IMPROVE INTERRAIL SERVICE IN INDIANA AND AROUND THE MIDWEST.

CREWS SAYS INDOT CONVINCED THEM TO KNICK 9 NIX THE IDEA.

>> LIKE I SAID EVERY TRAIN IS GOING TO TAKE PASSENGERS IS GOING TO GO OUT OF STATE.

>> BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN FUTURE PLANS FOR TRAIN TRAVEL IN THE HOOSIER STATE HAVE BEEN DERAILED.

IN APRIL, PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITED AN AMTRAK STATION IN PHILADELPHIA TO PITCH THE AMTRAK JOBS PLAN.

IT APPROVED $10 BILLION ON PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAILA.

LONG WITH DOZENS OF NEW DESTINATIONS.

>> THINK OF WHAT IT WILL MEAN FOR OPPORTUNITY IF WE CAN CONNECT MILL WALKY TO GREEN BAY TO MADDIE -- MILL YOU CANWAY TO GREEN BAY TO MADISON AND SCRANTON AND ALLENTOWN TO NEW YORK, AND INDIANAPOLIS TO LOUISVILLE AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.

>> AMTRAK USED TO RUN A LINE BETWEEN INDIANAPOLIS AND LOUISVILLE IN THE EARLY 2000s BUT THERE WAS ALREADY RAIL EXPANSION THAT'S TAKING PLACE THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE AMTRAK.

SOUTH BEND WILL ACCOMMODATE TRAINS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS BETWEEN GARY AND MICHIGAN STATE.

STATE -- MICHIGAN CITY.

AND A NEW SPUR WILL BEGIN IN HAMMOND AND EXTEND SOUTH.

LAST FALL, GROUND WAS BROKEN RIGHT HERE ON THE WEST LAKE CORRIDOR EXPANSION WHICH TERMINATES, CLOSE TO DYER AND RAIL ADVOCATES SEE THAT AS A POTENTIAL FOR UNLOCKING MORE RAIL TRAVEL IN THE FUTURE.

>> CERTAINLY, THERE POTENTIALLY COULD BE A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN AMTRAK AND NIKD TO PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL LAYER OF SERVICE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS OF HOW THAT WILL HAPPEN AND WHERE THAT SERVICE THAT WOULD COME UP FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IF IT JUMPED ON THE WEST LAKE LINE, HOW DOES IT GET INTO CHICAGO?

>> SOUTH SHORELINE PRESIDENT MIKE NOLAN EXPECTS OF THE WEST LINE TO BE OPEN IN 2024 OR 2025, THE DYER STATION WILL INCLUDE AT LEAST 900 PARKING SPOTS FOR COMMUTERS.

>> IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT NORTHWEST INDIANA, WE HAVE FOUR COUNTIES WITH OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE AND WE HAVE ONE RAIL LINE THAT SERVICES THOSE PEOPLE THAT GOES INTO CHICAGO.

>> NOLAN SAYS A COMBINATION OF RIDERS MOVING TO THE SUBURBS AND PEOPLE CONTINUING TO WORK FROM HOME POST-PANDEMIC WERE THE MAIN REASONS THE SOUTH SHORE DECIDED TO EXPAND.

FURTHER SOUTH OLSON SEES THE SAME POTENTIAL AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS AND WORKING ADULTS WHO MAY NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE COMMUTE ALONG I-65.

>> WE HAVE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 225,000 TO 250,000 COLLEGE STUDENTS IN A CORRIDOR BASICALLY GOING FROM BLOOMINGTON, UP TO CALUMET, AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.

>> OL'TON BELIEVES A THRIVING RAIL SYSTEM WITH TRAINS LEAVING AT CONVENIENT TIMES WILL KEEP THESE STUDENTS FROM LEAVING INDIANA TO MAKE A LIVING.

HE ENVISIONS THIS LIKE THE BRIGHTLINE IN FLORIDA, MAKING RAIL TRAVEL AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO FLYING THROUGH CROWDED AIRPORTS.

>> YOU GO TO INDIANAPOLIS, AND YOU WALK IN, AND YOU TRY TO BUY A PLANE TICKET TO GO FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO O'HARE OR TO MIDWAY.

IF YOU WALK IN COLD, YOU ARE GOING TO PAY AROUND $400.

ROUND TRIP.

TO GO THERE AND COME BACK.

>> WHILE GENERATIONS OF HOOSIERS HAVE GROWN UP WITH CARS AS THEIR PRIMARY MADE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR LONG AND SHORT DISTANCES, OLSON DOESN'T THINK THE FREEDOM AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF HAVING A CAR IS WHAT IT USED TO BE.

>> CAN YOU WIDEN INTERSTATE 465 AROUND INDIANAPOLIS ANYMORE?

CAN YOU WIDEN THE BORMAN, 80/94 ACROSS LAKE COUNTY?

IT'S AS WIDE -- YOU CAN'T WIDEN IT ANYMORE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ADAM PINSKER.

>> THE FORMER OWNER OF A SOUTHERN INDIANA ANIMAL REFUGE HAS TO PAY PAY PETA MORE THAN $700,000.

JAMES STARK WAS CHARGED WITH VIOLATING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.

A JUDGE AGREED WITH PETA AND ORDERED THE REMOVAL OF LARGE CATS FROM STARK'S SANCTUARY.

PETA SAYS HE ABUSED MANY.

>> KIM STARK WILDLIFE IN NEED AND HIS EX-WIFE MELISSA WOULD HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE COURT BEFORE EVER POSSESSING OR OWNING OR PERFORMING ANY HUSBANDRY WITH RESPECT TO A BIG CAT EVER AGAIN.

>> NOW IN APRIL A STATE JUDGE ALSO BARRED STARK FROM EVER OWNING OR POSSESSING EXOTIC ANIMALS.

STARK GAINED ATTENTION LAST YEAR AS ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE NETFLIX SERIES "TIGER KING."

WELL, WE ARE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH 2021 AND INDIANA HAS ALREADY DOUBLED ITS MEGA WATTS OF SOLAR ENERGY.

AS REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, IT'S ALSO EXPECTED TO SEE THE THIRD HIGHEST INCREASE IN MEGAWATTS OF LARGE-SCALE SOLAR IN THE COUNTRY.

>> SOLAR ENERGY CAPACITY IS GOING UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

JOSEPH RAND IS WITH THE LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY WHICH CONDUCTS ENERGY RESEARCH FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

HE SAYS INDIANA'S PROPOSED GROWTH IS LIKELY DUE TO SOME UTILITIES RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS.

>> BECAUSE THESE MAJOR UTILITIES ARE COMMITTED TO PROCURING CLEAN OR RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY, BY A CERTAIN YEAR, WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF DEVELOPERS PROPOSE NEW PROJECTS TO MEET THOSE TARGETS.

>> RAND SAYS SOLAR COULD BE EXPERIENCING MORE GROWTH IN INDIANA BECAUSE RESTRICTIVE COUNTY ORDINANCES HAVE STIFLED WIND ENERGY IN THE STATE.

JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL LARGE PROJECTS PLANNED FOR INDIANA, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'LL GET BUILT.

THE LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY SAYS HISTORICALLY ONLY ABOUT 16% OF SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS GET COMPLETED.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER IS RESUMING SHOWS THIS FALL FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BEGAN.

LeANN RIMES, MELISSA ETHRIDGE, AND KENNY G AND THREE DOG NIGHT ARE SOME OF THE ACTS TO PERFORM.

FULL FOOD AND DRINK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE CONCERTS.

THE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER OPENED IN AUGUST OF 2019, SIX MONTHS LATER IT WAS FORCED TO CLOSE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR SAYS IT'S TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE IF GUESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS.

THAT WILL DEPEND ON CDC GUIDELINES.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLACK FARMERS MOVED TO PARTS OF SOUTHERN INDIANA AROUND THE CIVIL WAR.

THEY FOUND A SAFE HAVEN AND A PATH TO ECONOMIC STABILITY.

FAST FORWARD 150 YEARS AND BLACK FARMERS HAVE ALL BUT DISAPPEARED.

AHEAD WHY SOME BLAME SYSTEMIC RACISM.

>>> AND DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS COMING TO MONROE AND VIGO COUNTIES.

AHEAD, WE WILL TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN THE LITERACY PROGRAM.

THAT'S RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

CLASSROOM CONTROVERSY IS BREWING ACROSS THE STATE AS MANY PARENTS HAVE BECOME CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITYPOSSIBILITY OF TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN SCHOOLS, WHAT IS CRITICAL RACE THEORY?

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS.

>> NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.

>> REMEMBER GEORGE FLOYD AND MINNEAPOLIS LAST SUMMER SET OFF RACIAL JUSTICE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> DON'T SHOOT.

>> PART OF THE FALL OUT HAS BEEN THE ELEVATION OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

IT'S AN ACADEMIC MOVEMENT THAT ATTEMPTS TO LOOK AT AMERICA AND ITS SYSTEMS THROUGH THE PRISM OF RACE AND TEACHES THAT RACISM IS NOT THE RESULT OF INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS, OFTENTIMES IT'S THE RESULT OF LARGER STRUCTURAL ISSUES EMBEDDED IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

IT'S BEEN A HOT TOPIC AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS AROUND THE STATE.

>> YOU CAN'T ERASE RACISM BY TEACHING RACISM.

>> CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS IS BLASTED THE PRACTICE, SAYING IT TEACHES STUDENTS THAT COUNTRY IS INHERENTLY RACIST AND STUDENTS CAN BE OPPRESSORS OR VICTIMS BASED OFF SKIN COLOR ALONE.

>> WHAT THIS IS DOING IS INDOCTRINATING THEM TO THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN THEY MAY AUTOMATINGALLY BEING GUILTY DID, AUTOMATICALLY GUILTY OF SOMETHING AND NEVER REDEEMABLE ATHAT'S LONG.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLED IT TO DROP A PROPOSAL AIMED AT FUNDING MORE INCLUSIVE CIVICS AND HISTORY PROGRAMS.

20 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL, INCLUDING ROKITA SAYS IT'S A VEILED ATTEMPT TO PUSH RACE THEORY.

AND MIKE BRAUN CONDEMNED TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN SCHOOLS.

SAYING, IT SEEKS TO PORTRAY THE UNITED STATES NOT AS A UNITED NATION, STRIVING FOR A COMMON PURPOSE BUT RATHER A NATION OF MANY VICTIMIZED GROUPS BASED ON SEX, RACE, ETHNICITY OR NATIONAL ORRIN.

THE STATE -- ORIGIN.

THE PARENTS AND THE POLITICIANS ALIKE ARE SOUNDING OFF ON THE SHIRE YOU AS IT DOMINATES THE -- ISSUE AS IT DOMINATES THE NATIONAL DISCOURSE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>>> AND WE HAVE NOW KEVIN BROWN, THE RICHARD S. MELVIN PROFESSOR OF LAW AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW JOINING US TO DISCUSS CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

PROFESSOR, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH, YOU KNOW, CRITICAL TEACHING OF THIS RACE THEORY HAS BECOME A POLITICAL TALKING POINT.

CRITICS SAY ITS AIM IS TO TEACH THAT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE RACIST.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH NOR FOR -- FOR HAVING ME, GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

CRITICAL RACE THEORY ACTUALLY STARTED 35 YEARS AGO FROM LAW PROFESSORS OF COLOR.

AND WE WERE REALLY JUST DRIVEN BY ONE BASIC QUESTION.

WE WANTED TO KNOW WHY AMERICANS SEEM UNWILLING TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS THAT WOULD ALLEVIATE THE MASSIVE RACIAL GAPS THAT EXISTED IN IMPORTANT SOCIOECONOMIC DIFFERENCES, EVEN THOUGH AMERICANS KNOW THAT THOSE DIFFERENTS ARE ROOTED IN OUR HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND SEGREGATION AND RACIAL OPPRESSION.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT STATISTICS ON FAMILY INCOME, UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, LIFE EXPECTANCY, COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES, HOMEOWNERSHIP RATES, INCARCERATION RATES ON AND ON, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE CONDITIONS OF BLACKS LAGS FAR BEHIND THOSE OF NONWHITE HISPANICS.

SO WHAT WE WERE REALLY TRYING TO DO WAS TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS THAT GIVEN THAT IT'S THE CASE, AMERICANS WEREN'T WILLING TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS AND POLICIES TO ATTACK THESE DIFFERENCES.

AND WHAT WE REALIZED WITH THEM WAS THAT AMERICANS HAD ACTUALLY COME TO A POINT OF NORMALIZING THEIR THINKING ABOUT RACIAL OPPRESSION.

THAT, IN FACT, THE NOTION THAT BLACKS WERE MUCH WORSE OFF IN THESE SOCIOECONOMIC STATISTICS WAS DEEMED THE NORMAL WAY OF LIFE.

SO WE TRIED TO CHANGE THAT THINKING.

>> SO WHY, PROFESSOR, HAS IT NOW BECOME SUCH A DIVISIVE IDEA?

>> WELL, NOW THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION, BECAUSE IN A WAY CRITICAL RACE THEORY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 35 YEARS, BUT EVEN BEFORE IT, IN THE 1980s, WE HAD THE AFROCENTRIC MOVEMENT, THE MULTICULTURALISM, BOTH OF WHICH ALSO CREATED THIS NOTION THAT THEY WERE TEARING UP THE FABRIC OF AMERICA.

SO IT SEEMS TO BE MORE A REALITY OF POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

PROFESSOR THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME ALREADY.

I'M SURE WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THIS IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU.

>> SURE.

MM-HMM.

NO PROBLEM.

>>> WELL, INDIANA'S AGRICULTURAL TRADITION IS WELL DOCUMENTED FROM INDY 500 WINNERS DRINKING MILK.

FARMING IS CELEBRATED BUT THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION AROUND RACE IS LARGELY ABSENT IN MANY RURAL INDIANA COMMUNITIES.

THAT PAIRED WITH DECADES OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND DISCRIMINATION IS MAKING A CERTAIN TYPE OF FARMER DISAPPEAR.

BROCK TURNER HAS THE STORY.

>> YOU WOULD BE FORGIVEN IF YOU DROVE THROUGH LYLE STATION AND THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE ANY OTHER FARM TOWN.

>> I GREW UP HERE TOO, AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SEE MY UNCLE'S FARMING AND TO SEE THE OTHER BLACK FARMERS AND TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHEN IT WAS MORE OF A COMMUNITY.

>> SETTLED IN THE EARLY 1800s, LYLE STATION WAS A BUSTLING COMMUNITY AND BLACK FARMERS IT OFFERED ECONOMIC VIE VITALITY.

THIS LAND WAS IN THE GREER FAMILY SINCE BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.

THE COMMUNITY THAT ONCE DEFINED THIS PLACE HAS ERODED.

>> IT WAS A FARMING COMMUNICATE.

YOU KNOW AT THE END OF THE DAY, AT THE END OF THE WEEKEND, THEY WOULD HAVE FISH FRIES AND SIT BACK AND THEY ARE HAPPY BECAUSE THEIR CROPS ARE IN, THEIR CROPS ARE GROWING.

YOU KNOW?

THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SAID.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WITNESS NOT WHAT DAD HAS BECAUSE WHEN DAD WAS HERE, THIS WAS FULL OF BLACK FARMING COMMUNITY.

>> DENISE AND HER FATHER NORMAN ARE NOW ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY SURROUNDED BY WHITE FARMERS.

>> WE ARE KIND OF WHAT YOU CALL IT LAND LOCKED WHERE THEY BOUGHT STUFF ALL AROUND US OR EVEN THE LAND THAT MY DAD LOST TO THE USDA, YOU KNOW?

AND THEY BOUGHT IT.

SO THEY ARE SITTING THERE WAITING FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO JUST GET THE REST, YOU KNOW?

>> AT 84, NORMAN HAS FARMED THIS FAMILY LAND HIS ENTIRE LIFE, BUT IT'S BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT.

>> YOU DON'T SEE THE BLACK FARMS EXPANDING AND GETTING BIGGER.

THEY ARE GETTING SMALLER.

>> SMALLER OPERATORS REGARDLESS OF RACE ARE STRUGGLING AS MARGINS THROUGHOUT AGRICULTURE SHRINK.

THEY GET BIG OR GET OUT MANTRA IS WHAT MANY LIVE BY.

HOWEVER, WHITE FARMER DON'T EXPERIENCE THE RACISM THAT MANY BLACKEN OTHER FARMERS OF COLOR ARE ROUTINE.

WHETHER ACCESSING CREDIT ORDEALING WITH SUBTLE RACISM IN TOWN WHILE WORKING WITH LOCAL VENDORS MANY FARMERS OF COLOR SAY THE PROBLEMS ARE SYSTEMIC.

THEY POINT TO A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM PASSED AS CORONAVIRUS RELEASED.

IT WOULD HELP SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND MINORITY FARMERS BUT BACKLASH FROM LENDERS AND A RULING FROM A WISCONSIN JUDGE EFFECTIVELY STALLED THE PROGRAM.

LEADING LENDERS SAYING IT COULD TIGHTEN LIQUIDITY AND COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT.

FOR FARMERS LIKE GREER WHO SETTLED HIS LOANS, THE RECENT LEGAL BATTLE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE RESISTANCE THAT BLACK FARMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED FOR DECADES.

>> THEY ARE ABOUT GONE.

>> YOU AREYOU ARE INNING AN NPR "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" INTERVIEW, THERE WAS DISCRIMINATION IN THE AGENCY FROM 1970 THROUGH THE 1990s.

JOHN BOYD, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION AGREES, AND SAYS BOTH PARTIES ARE TO BLAME.

>> AND I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR HERE, IT TOOK PLACE ON THE WATCH OF REPUBLICANS.

IT TOOK PLACE ON THE WATCH OF DEMOCRATS.

AND IT TOOK PLACE ON THE WATCH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

EVERYBODY IS GUILTY HERE, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T STEP UP AND STOP IT.

>> HE ADMITS HE'S DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ROLLED OUT, BUT BELIEVES THIS RESISTANCE IS PART OF A BIGGER PROBLEM.

>> 15 TO 20 MINUTE RIDE UP THE HIGHWAY FROM ANY OF THOSE MAJOR CITIES, IS THE REAL AMERICA.

RURAL AMERICA, WHERE YOU SEE TRUMP PARAPHERNALIA FLYING ALONGSIDE THE CONFEDERATE FLAG, FLYING HIGHER THAN THE UNITED STATES FLAG.

THERE'S A REAL DIVISION BETWEEN WHITE AMERICA NOW AND BLACK AMERICA.

AND EVEN THE BIGGER DIVISION BETWEEN A BLACK FARMER AND A WYATT FARMER.

-- WHITE FARMER.

YOU CAN FEEL THE TENSION.

>> BACK IN LYLE STATION, NORMAN'S FAMILY IS ABOUT TO GRADUATE FROM UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE.

HE ENVISIONS LEAVING THE FARM BUT SEEING THE STRUGGLE OF HIS GRANDFATHER ENCOURAGED HIM TO STAY IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

WHILE HE'S NOT SURE HE WILL BE GETTING INTO THE JOHN DEERE TRACTOR AND PLANTING SOYBEANS, HE KNOWS THE FARM IS HOME AND HE BELIEVES THAT'S SOMETHING ALL FARMERS, WHITE OR BLACK, CAN UNDERSTAND.

>> UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT TO BE OUT HERE TOO.

WE WANT THE SAME THINGS YOU DO.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CARRY ON FAMILY LEGACIES, FAMILY LAND, AND BE ABLE TO GROW OUR OWN, LIKE I SAID, LEGACIES AS WELL.

SO JUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT WE WANT, AND HOW WE FEEL.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BROCK TURNER.

>>> AND DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY IS COMING TO FOUR SOUTHERN INDIANA COUNTIES.

PARENTS MAY ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN ONLINE TO RECEIVE A FREE NEW BOOK IN THE MAIL EACH MONTH UNTIL THEIR FIFTH BIRTHDAY.

THE BOOK GIFTING PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH A $1 MILLION GRANT FROM THE CENTER POINT ENERGY FOUNDATION AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MADISON, MONROE, VIGO AND VANDERBURG COUNTIES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

CENTER POINT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS VECTURANT.

>> WE LOVE DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY.

WE WERE A SUPPORTER OF IT IN OHIO.

>> THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AT WONDERLAB MUSEUMS SUMMER SPROUT'S PLACE.

>> IF WE CANNOT PREPARE OUR CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE, WE AS A COMMUNITY WILL NEVER ACHIEVE OUR GOALS.

>> I MET ONE TOO MANY KIDS WHO DIDN'T HAVE BOOKS IN THEIR HOME AND THAT MADE ME WANT TO START THIS PROGRAM.

>> THE GOAL IS TO FIND ENOUGH FUNDING TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM IN ALL OF INDIANA'S 92 COUNTIES.

>> ENTERTAINMENT ICON DOLLY PORTON FOUNDED THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY WITH MORE THAN 1700 BOOKS.

THEY HAVE DISTRIBUTED 150 MILLION BOOKS AROUND THE WORLD.

>>> WELL, THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: