Rep. Ed DeLaney: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself

On Sept. 5, hundreds of high schoolers rallied at the Indiana Statehouse to protest the spate of gun violence that is spreading fear throughout our country. These students came from Shortridge, Herron and North Central high schools to express their concern and propose changes around gun control.

In effect, they reject the loosening of sensible gun controls that had served our country for decades. I can only hope that their voices will lead to policy changes that put gun control back into a sane position. We clearly cannot count on the present political leadership, let alone the Supreme Court, to restore balance.

I went to the Statehouse to observe the demonstration. I was impressed by its organization, leadership and content. I only wish other people and organizations affected by the policies being imposed at the Statehouse—and especially in Washington—would also speak out. I am hard-pressed to explain the lack of public anger being expressed by traditional members of the Republican Party, our universities and our business leadership. Maybe they should attend demonstrations led by youth in order to remember how to speak up.

As a Democrat, I hear and absorb endless criticism about our failings, our inability to stop Trump and our need for direction. Indeed, we need direction! We need to seek out ideas that will impress the voters. But to do that, we need to hear their complaints. The young people have it right. If you’re harmed, complain about it.

As a legislator, especially one in the minority, you get exposed to the power of fear. Lobbyists, activists and business leaders are preternaturally predisposed to fear asking for too much.

The reason is simple: Push too hard, and the Legislature might take away the limited benefits one already enjoys. This fear helps things move along. But in an environment where the White House threatens to invade American cities and the Indiana General Assembly takes over university management without so much as notice, we must ask ourselves: What is the price of this fear?

The problem of civic silence is increased by the scope of changes demanded from the hard right. They are attempting to completely change our immigration system, to change the role of the National Guard and even the Army. We’ve created a system where such fundamental rights as abortion now vary from state to state. The Supreme Court has taken to ruling by simply issuing conclusions, not real precedents.

There is some hope. Local government leaders are beginning to speak out about the consequences of our so-called property tax reform. If they need to raise local income taxes to provide services, they should point their finger at us and tell us why. The public deserves to understand how we have deliberately starved the state government to the point where it has decided to beggar our neighbors known as local governments.

I ask young political leaders what we need to do differently. Their concern with the problems of child care and access to decent housing has been made clear to me. The same is true of their concern with gun violence. I try to find out what concerns people by questioning them even when they have not reached out to me. For example, I spent time at the Penrod Arts Fair asking about the impact of state and federal cuts to the arts.

Fear will divide us, given the chance. But it can also rally and unite us, create a common cause to move us forward with purpose and understanding that we are not alone and we are stronger together.•

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DeLaney, an Indianapolis attorney, is a Democrat representing the 86th District in the Indiana House of Representatives. Send comments to [email protected].

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