indiana – The Philadelphia Observer

‘Getting Sold for Money’: White Indiana State University Student Uses Beyoncé Album to Unleash Racist Rant; School Slammed for ‘Weak’ Response

Juan Ignacio — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 15:22:58 +0000

An Indiana University student is facing backlash for her racist remarks on social media, sparking protests on campus.

“I’m sorry, but if you’re Black, you’re not country. I don’t care,” the student said in the video reshared on TikTok. “I wish I meant that in the nicest way, but babe, I know you were raised in the country or your grandparents were … but they was picking, OK?”

She added, “They wasn’t planting. Just keep that in mind. They wasn’t making money. They were getting sold for money. You ain’t country.”

ndiana State University student is under fire for saying racist remarks in a video seemingly responding to Beyonce’s new album. (Photo:@imjustagirl/TikTok/Screenshot)

Her comments were seemingly in response to Beyonce’s record-breaking country album, “Cowboy Carter.” The 27-track highly anticipated project was released on March 29 and included features from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone. Additionally, the mega-star highlighted Black artists — Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Shaboozy, Willie Jones, and Reyna Roberts.

Source: ‘Getting Sold for Money’: White Indiana State University Student Uses Beyoncé Album to Unleash Racist Rant; School Slammed for ‘Weak’ Response

Indiana jail officer fired after inmate hit during struggle

Juan Ignacio — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 11:53:39 +0000

Marcus Ford suffered a broken nose and broken orbital bone.

A white correctional officer in southwestern Indiana who is seen in body camera footage punching a Black inmate during a struggle has been fired.

Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Martè said Friday that the decision to terminate James Mitchell was part of his vow to make “accountability and transparency” a “top priority” of the sheriff’s department.

Mitchell and two other officers at the county jail in Bloomington were attempting to move Marcus Ford from a holding cell to a medical observation cell Jan. 31 after the inmate complained of health issues to nurses at the facility.https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lSEGxnDlKE?feature=oembed

Ford refuses to leave the holding cell. In the footage released by the sheriff’s office, Ford is seen threatening the officers if they try to move him.

“Soon as you touch me, it’s going down,” Ford says. “You all better know how to fight.”

He later repeats: “I’m not going in that room. I’m not going in that room.”

As the officers move in, Mitchell is struck in the mouth and suffers a bloody lip. He is seen throwing punches at Ford’s head and striking Ford as the inmate is being restrained by other officers.

Martè said Ford suffered a broken nose and broken orbital bone.

A document detailing the decision to fire Mitchell states that he failed to transition to nonviolent strategies, failed to reduce the need for force and failed to comply when instructed twice to leave the area, WTTV-TV reported.

“No corrections officer wants to have to use force when they come to work,” Martè said. “But even when my staff is forced to use force due to a combative inmate, they must continue to follow our policies requiring de-escalation whenever the situation allows it.”

Source: Indiana jail officer fired after inmate hit during struggle

People ventured out to beaches over the weekend without masks and failed to keep their distance

Juan Ignacio — Thu, 28 May 2020 13:01:14 +0000

At a glance, it may look like many Americans have long forgotten about the dangers of coronavirus.

Crowds packed beaches in Florida, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia and Indiana over the weekend — many venturing out without masks and others failing to keep their distance even as officials have tirelessly highlighted the importance of both in order to prevent another surge of cases.

In Missouri, hundreds attended a pool party just days after a similar party in neighboring Arkansas caused a cluster of new coronavirus cases. Arkansas’ governor said the state is now experiencing a “second peak.”

Pool party at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri draws a packed crowd

“You tell me how people act today, I will tell you the infection rate three days from now,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday, emphasizing the importance residents’ actions play in the spread of infections.

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But as health officials warn the deadly virus isn’t yet contained, local leaders across the country are working to enforce regulations put in place for stores, bars and restaurants that have reopened.

The commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday urged Americans observing Memorial Day weekend to follow federal guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

“With the country starting to open up this holiday weekend, I again remind everyone that the coronavirus is not yet contained. It is up to every individual to protect themselves and their community. Social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks protect us all,” Dr. Stephen Hahn wrote in a tweet.

In Houston, the mayor said authorities will begin enforcing capacity limits for bars and restaurants after the city received hundreds of complaints alleging violations.

“The reality is that there are too many people who are coming together,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “No social distancing, no mask. And then after this Memorial Day weekend is over they’re going to be on somebody’s job or in close proximity to somebody else.”

So far, infections in the country top 1,643,000 and deaths inch closer to 100,000.

Source: People ventured out to beaches over the weekend without masks and failed to keep their distance