"Katrina 2.0": Residents of Gary, Indiana fight to survive without power for 12 days (and counting)

Key takeaways

Living without power for over a week highlights systemic neglect of infrastructure in Gary, Indiana, especially in Black and working-class communities.
Longstanding disinvestment, environmental injustice, and corporate greed have left Gary vulnerable to severe weather and infrastructural failures.
Community resilience and activism are vital, but systemic change—through voting, advocacy, and policy reform—is essential to prevent recurrence.
Utility companies prioritize profits over safety, often neglecting necessary infrastructure upgrades, as evidenced by the decision to keep lines above ground despite risks.
Supporting local organizations, advocating for responsible development, and staying engaged in civic processes are key steps for listeners to contribute to long-term change.

Summary

The Crisis in Gary, Indiana: A Community in Darkness

This section discusses the devastating power outage in Gary, Indiana, triggered by severe weather and compounded by longstanding infrastructural neglect. The panel highlights that tens of thousands of residents have been without power for over 12 days, with full restoration not expected until the week after the recording. Community leaders and residents articulate the severity of living without basic utilities, the inadequate response by utility companies like NIPSCO, and the broader implications of systemic neglect, economic inequality, and environmental degradation that have plagued Gary for decades.

Historical and Socioeconomic Context of Gary's Struggles

This part delves into the historical resilience of Gary’s Black and working-class communities, as well as the systemic challenges they face. It draws parallels to global struggles like Haiti and Cuba, emphasizing that Gary's hardships are rooted in decades of racial discrimination, economic disinvestment, and environmental harm. The panelists reflect on how the city’s past policies—such as White flight, industrial decline, and underfunded public services—have left its infrastructure and social fabric vulnerable to crises like the recent blackout. They discuss the need for systemic change, community activism, and accountability from corporate and governmental institutions.

The Role of Corporate and Governmental Responsibility

This section examines the responsibilities of corporations such as NIPSCO and governmental authorities in preventing and responding to infrastructural failures. The panel critiques the company’s choice to keep lines above ground due to costs, despite record profits and the known risks of climate-related storms. The issues of billing, maintenance, and public safety are highlighted, along with calls for stronger regulation, infrastructure upgrades (like burying power lines), and better emergency preparedness. The importance of community organizing, voting, and advocacy for holding these entities accountable is emphasized.

What Can Be Done: Community Action and Systemic Change

The final section offers actionable steps for listeners to support Gary’s residents. Emphasizing voting, civic engagement, and supporting grassroots organizations, the panel encourages people to participate in local meetings, donate to community funds, and advocate for policy changes. The panelists also stress the importance of spiritual and collective resilience, community solidarity, and ongoing activism to ensure longstanding infrastructural improvements and social justice. They call for sustained attention beyond the immediate crisis to prevent future disasters and address root causes of neglect.

Show notes

After a deadly "derecho" storm and flash floods slammed the midwest in early August, downing trees and power lines, tens of thousands of residents in and around Gary, Indiana have been surviving without power for 12 days and counting. According to the Associated Press, "Northern Indiana Public Service Co. said 68,000 customers were still without power as of Thursday morning, the majority of them in Lake County beside the Illinois border. The utility said it has restored power to 306,500 others since Aug. 11. But power is not expected to be fully restored until Tuesday [Aug. 25] in some places, including Gary." In this urgent episode of Working People, we speak with a panel of residents and community leaders about the ongoing blackout in Gary and the conditions that led to this avoidable national tragedy. Panelists include: GlenEva Dunham, president of the Gary Teachers Union, AFT Local 4; Freida Graves, Project Director at the faith-based nonprofit Families Anchored in Total Harmony (FAITH) CDC; and Reverend John Jackson, Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

Additional links/info:

FAITH CDC website and Facebook page
Gary Advocates for Responsible Development (GARD) Facebook page
Tilly Robinson, Indianapolis Star, "Braun tells NIPSCO to move faster in Gary, while clergy says state must do more"
Javonte Anderson, Capital B Gary, "I grew up in Gary. I've never seen a power outage like this"
Belly of the Beast, "US policy causes Cuba's blackouts. US citizens bring solar panels for pregnant women"

Featured Music:

Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song

Credits:

Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor