Candice Payne

Without criticism there is no progress and without progress there is no life. No one can deny Munster being a desirable place to live whether it’s because you want to be close to Chicago without those pesky IL taxes or if you came here to raise a family in the award-winning schools. We have great parks, lots of activates and excellent community engagement with our Police Department, these are all things that have so far been a focus of Mustang Mentality. All of that considered to say we cannot improve in certain areas would be a delusion. My guest this week is here to shed light on a topic that while uncomfortable to some is an everyday reality for others- Race issues in Munster. I had several people tell me to tread lightly and think twice before opening myself to conversations of this magnitude because it will draw criticism. That’s the purpose of this whole show, provide the community with new insights, give a voice to those who have felt unheard and dismissed which I can assure you is a feeling shared by more than just one race or group of people in town. We need to be able to listen to others at length before passing judgment we then can not only look inward but outward on how we can contribute to making Munster better than it already is. I admire and respect Candice for speaking openly with me for this episode and her willingness to take the heat for being the voice for so many as she normally does when posting about these issues publicly. While progress is being seen (Most recently the school classroom doors being decorated for Black History Month) and is appreciated there is still room for growth. We need to be more willing to come together and listen to each other’s experiences and ideas. We are all Munster.