Roughly a year ago, Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal essentially "relaunched," moving after 18 years into a new phase of community engagement against bigotry, bullying, and other forces that threaten a safe and inclusive Twin Cities. Now, after a year of nationwide social turbulence, local concerns and controversies, and significant progress in addressing and helping remedy community issues, NIOT:B/N is prepped for a new "Season4Reason" and continued evolution as an organization.
During recent "next steps" meetings, NIOT:B/N's Dontae Latson pondered how today’s NIOT:B/N can best build on “this incredible movement and (its) rich history.” He hailed “what we did well” over the past year, including response to local discrimination and demonstrations of bigotry and “a lot of strong adult involvement” in area schools, but agreed changes including a structure and physical foundation less solely dependent on mere volunteer effort are necessary to “keep it going without fizzling out.”
"We know how to picket, we know how to rally, we know how to boycott," Latson acknowledged, but given NIOT:B/N’s evolution and expanded and “all-inclusive” mission, as well as divisive comments regarding race, immigration, and other key sociopolitical issues in presidential debate alone, he agreed “a more sophisticated approach” is necessary for the group. He foresees a likely shift from traditional U.S. racism to more intense “classism” affecting diverse communities and greater cultural infighting potentially pitting documented workers against undocumented immigrants, straight individuals vs. LGBT and LGBT segments against each other, and African-Americans and other groups against those within their own communities.
That requires greater sensitivity and understanding of the nuances involved in cross-cultural/cross-sector/cross-demographic tensions and strategic movement from “a largely reactive movement” to a proactive force working with others throughout the community, Latson said. He questioned the “public appetite” for another more radical movement in the Twin Cities, though he acknowledged that often, “people are not seeing progress as success.”
“Sometimes, there are unrealistic expectations of an immediate victory,” he suggested.
A grassroots emphasis, where “you’re not beholden to anyone,” remains crucial, Latson said, but it also poses concerns about long-term resources and stable funding. Leadership and volunteer “sustainability” are major issues for NIOTBN, and “we can’t keep it going if we don’t have replacements” for the first and current generations of organizational leaders, he warned.
“We have to let go and allow these young people to lead,” he admonished. “People listen to kids.”
The evolution of NIOTBN also requires a tangible “place” – a geographical base of operations, possibility with at least one paid staff member – and firm “rules of engagement” for addressing local concerns.
Veteran member Kari Sandhaas stressed the need for NIOTBN to listen to all parties with respect and open-mindedness, cautioning that “passion can be a two-edged sword,” sometimes opening a “conduit” for the disadvantaged or oppressed to be heard but in some instances drowning out reasoned discussion or spurring premature action over “what might appear to be an injustice” before all details become clear. In such cases, the organization must “ask questions first” before formulating a response,” she maintained.
Sandhaas cited efforts to urge local students faced with bullying or bigotry to “talk it out, not fight it out,” and the value of “listening sessions” like last spring’s local police/community dialogue.” Community leaders can better forge connections and address issues through “dialogue and inclusion,” involving “outside” groups at a cooperative “larger social level” and “using privilege to create privilege” among disenfranchised groups.
“We’re weaving a fabric,” Mary Aplington explained, bringing people of all cultures and needs together “in one room” and in a collaborative spirit. NIOTBN remains “an identity-safe place,” where individuals can raise issues without fear of unintended repercussions or loss of privacy, and “we would advocate for anyone whose rights are being stepped on,” Aplington said.
Raising NIOTBN’s community profile and broadcasting its essential mission is key to future success,” NIOT:B/N leader Phani Aytam said. “If you don’t tell others, they will define you for you,” he warned.