The Pantagraph
At some point today, you will look to your left or your right, in front or behind you, and see someone who is not your gender, not your color, not your religion, not of your political bent, not your age.
That mix is what makes our community, and our country, so great. We can live and work together as individuals. World events, though, have caused some of us to doubt those who are different.
It's human nature to fear what is different; we may not know how to speak to someone who speaks another language, worship with someone who has different beliefs, learn with someone from a different educational system.
But an event tonight will, hopefully, bring us all together to celebrate those differences and share that which we have in common.
A Community Solidarity event begins at 6 p.m. on the east side of the McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington. In case of rain, the event will move to the nearby First Christian Church at 401 W. Jefferson St.
The interfaith event is sponsored by Not In Our Town, First Christian, New Covenant Community, the Presbytery of Great Rivers interfaith group, and Moses Montefiore Temple, in collaboration with the Islamic Center of Bloomington-Normal and Masjid Ibrahim Mosque.
The program is a response to the recent anti-Islamic rhetoric being heard in other parts of the country — and among some of our leading politicians — in the wake of the San Bernardino and Paris terrorist attacks.
The Rev. Kelley Becker of First Christian Church said much of that reaction is based on the power of fear.
She told The Pantagraph, "We believe love is more powerful than fear," adding the event is meant to show "our Islamic brothers and sisters" that the Twin Cities "is a safe, welcoming place."
As part of the event announcement, interim Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe of Moses Montefiore Temple added, “We are diverse yet equal in our world: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Humanist and so many more. At times of darkness, instead of walking away in fear, we must stand united as one family of humanity seeking peace, compassion and harmony among each other.”
The event welcomes all faiths or those of no particular belief, so everyone should feel welcome to attend, see old friends and meet new ones.
We must cherish the differences among us as we continue to strive to make Bloomington-Normal into a community that welcomes people of all genders, ages, beliefs and colors.
This is a great step to show up and speak for what is right and good about America.