NIOT:B/N to Lead Protest of Cab Sign

Not in Our Town: Bloomington/Normal is helping lead a protest against a standing display in front of Bloomington's Checker Cab that has carried political messages among other things conveying Mexican and Palestinian stereotypes.

NIOT:B/N is inviting area residents to join them from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday on the sidewalk in front of Checker Cab, 1513 S. Main in Bloomington, at the corner of Main and Lincoln. The sign, under the premise of what the owner purports to trust more than President Obama, has listed "Mexican tap water" and, currently, "a Palestinian on a motorcycle."

"Checker Cab in Bloomington has posted a racist sign for all to see," NIOT:B/N leader Marc Miller related. "We have tried to convince him to take it down, but his response is a wink-and-nod that the words are really inoffensive and misinterpreted, and besides he has free speech.

"The core principle of Not In Our Town is: Intolerant words should not go unchallenged. Declare 'I object to these words and the damage they cause. They have no place in our community. Bigotry should not go unchallenged. Silently tolerating bigotry is wrong. It has no place in our community. We improve our lives and our community when we refuse to tolerate bullying, hatred, and intolerance.'"

NIOT:B/N is supplying signs for protestors. The demonstration will be peaceful, and protestors will be instructed neither to block traffic nor the entrance to the business.

If the sign pictured here is removed during the protest, the protest will end. Come a few minutes ahead of noon -- off-street parking will be necessary.

Kerry: Laramie Project Opportunity to 'Remember, Discuss, and Learn'

One local mom has far more than merely a role in McLean County Diversity Project's upcoming production of The Laramie Project, an examination of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard and how it mobilized Americans to fight bullying and for LGBT rights and protection.

For Kerry Urquizo, the production goes to her very heart and family's soul.

The play is scheduled at 7 p.m. May 19 and 20 at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts. See flyer at right or visit www.artsblooming.org for details.

Shepard, 21, was a student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, torture,d and left to die near Laramie, Wyoming on the night of October 6, 1998, and died six days later at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., on October 12, from severe head injuries.

Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were arrested shortly after the attack and charged with murder following Shepard's death. Significant media coverage was given to what role Shepard's sexual orientation played in the killing. During McKinney's pretrial and trial, testimony was given that the pair had pretended to be gay in order to gain Shepard's trust in order to rob him. McKinney's prosecutor argued the murder was premeditated and driven by greed, while McKinney's defense counsel argued that McKinney had only intended to rob Shepard, but had killed him in a rage when Shepard made a sexual advance. McKinney's girlfriend told police that he had been motivated by anti-gay sentiment, but later recanted her statement, saying that she had lied because she thought it would help him. Both McKinney and Henderson were convicted of the murder and each sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

Shepard's murder brought national and international attention to hate crime legislation at the state and federal levels. In October 2009, the United States Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (commonly the "Matthew Shepard Act" or "Shepard/Byrd Act" for short), and on October 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law. Following her son's murder, Matthew's mother Judy Shepard became a prominent LGBT rights activist and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Shepard's death inspired notable films, novels, plays, songs, and other works.

                        Matthew Shepard

Urquizo, who helps operate a family-owned food truck in the Twin Cities, reflects on her memory of the Matthew Shepard tragedy and the impact it had for her as a mother:

There are moments in life that change us and define who we are. The moments can be both horrible and amazing but they still shape us. There have been some powerful moments in my life that have led me to this point - writing an article about how being a part of the Diversity Project’s production of the Laramie Project has changed my life.

The first moment that changed my life was in October 1998. I was in my dorm room watching the news. There were images of Matthew Shepard flashing across the screen. The ones of his parents - his beautiful mother - sobbing in disbelief. And then, there it was 'the fence.' The wooden fence with grass blowing in the wind at its base. I was shocked and changed by the brutality of it. I had never heard of anyone being tortured for being who they are. As I watched the news, I began to see that people were starting to have conversations about this tragedy in a meaningful way. It was a lesson I would never forget.

The next moment that really defined me was when my son came out to me. He was only 12 and he knew. He told me he wanted to tell me because he didn’t want another minute of his life to go by without me knowing who he was. I was so proud of him. He had figured out who he was at such a young age and felt comfortable enough to tell me. Although I was so ecstatic that he could share who he was with myself, my husband, and other children without judgment, I was also extremely scared. The image of the wooden fence flashed in my head. I was terrified he would be harmed because he was gay. I knew that there were people out there that still didn’t accept others and didn’t want to be a part of the conversation. Every day since he came out, I have worried that something could happen to him.

The last moment that brought me here is the day I took my son to audition for the Laramie Project. He is a three-year veteran Diversity Project scholar. I was waiting in the hallway for him to get his chance to audition. At one point, Tricia, the director, asked me to come in and read a few lines. The last play I had been in was over 15 years ago.

Kerry Urquizo

I am a busy woman with a food truck, full-time job and three kids to manage. But, I did it, thinking there was no way they would hear me read and actually give me a part. Well, I was cast. Going to practices with my son, I met fantastic people from the cast who had open conversations about why we are doing with this play. It helped me to feel less worried that something would happen to my son. I saw that telling this most important story would help others learn that we as people cannot repeat this hatred towards each other. I started to hope that people would start to have the images of the fence in their heads and continue the conversation.

I know that I cannot protect my son from the harm of others - but I can teach him to remember those who spoke out before him to make it easier to be a gay man in the U.S. Also, he can be a part of events like the Laramie Project to help people remember, discuss, and learn.

As Maya Angelou said, “To know better is to do better.”

Kerry Urquizo

ISU President, NAACP Address Racially Charged Post Head-On

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ISU President Larry Dietz has taken swift action to address the above Twitter post submitted following this week's events in Baltimore.

In the wake of the controversies surrounding the Freddy Gray case, protests regarding the case, and both peaceful protests and early turmoil in the streets of Baltimore, Illinois State University President Larry Dietz and the campus' NAACP responded swiftly to an inflammatory Twitter posting.

Here, in an open letter Friday, Dietz outlined steps taken, plans to publicly address concerns, and ISU's basic "not on our campus" commitment:

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

This afternoon, I met with student leaders from the Illinois State University chapter of the NAACP.  The organization is planning a rally that begins at noon Friday, May 1, at Schroeder Plaza.  I encourage you to attend.

The idea for the rally was sparked by a racially charged Twitter posting.  Although the posting has been removed, and the Twitter account has no connection to the University, it does have the letters ISU associated with the account. 

This small-minded posting may have prompted our students to take action, but we all know it is another example of abusive, intolerant and often racist opinions and actions happening across the country.

As unsettling as it is to read headlines in the national press, it is even more troublesome when incidents occur in your own backyard.  The students I spoke to today told me that examples of this type of hostility can be found on our campus and in our community.

The United States Constitution protects our right of free speech, but it also enables cowards to hide behind anonymous social media handles and distribute vile and often racist content. It is not nearly enough to dismiss these individuals as fools or bigots - we must continue to speak out, and act to condemn and stop such behavior. I applaud our student leaders for taking action.

Diversity is one of Illinois State's five core values under the University's strategic plan, Educating Illinois. 

The value states:

Illinois State University affirms and encourages community and a respect for differences by fostering an inclusive environment characterized by cultural understanding, ethical behavior, and social justice. The University supports a diverse faculty and staff who mentor a diverse student population. The University endeavors to provide opportunities for all students, staff, and faculty to participate in a global society.

Those of you who know me or have heard me speak understand how strongly I feel about Illinois State's core values.  To those who cannot or will not respect these values, I invite you to follow your pursuits elsewhere.

To everyone else, I urge you to continue to speak out against intolerance whenever and wherever you find it.  A good place to start is Friday at noon at Schroeder Plaza.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Larry H. Dietz

President  

Campbell Grabill-Homan Peace Price Winner

Mary Campbell has been named this year's recipient of the Grabill-Homan Community Peace Prize.

Campbell is a social work professor emerita and co-founder of Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women, which helps women released from jail or prison.

The prize is awarded by the Illinois State University Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Program for achievements in peacemaking, leadership, initiative, activism, and inspiration within the Bloomington-Normal community.

Throughout her more than 30 years of teaching, she exposed students issues of poverty, homelessness and social justice. She has continued working on those issues individually and through various organizations.

In addition to helping to found Labyrinth, she is a co-director of its board. Labyrinth assists the women in finding housing, education, job training and family support services.

Campbell is also involved with Friends Forever, which has brought Muslim and Jewish youths from Israel to this area to live together as part of an ongoing international program to improve cultural understanding.

Environmental projects in which she has been involved include volunteering at Sugar Grove Nature Center and helping establish the M.J. Rhymer Nature Preserve.

The peace prize is named for ISU emeritus history professors Joseph Grabill and Gerlof Homan, who helped establish ISU's Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Program.

Campbell received a plaque on Monday and a $250 donation to the Mary Campbell Fund at ISU, which helps students with travel expenses for attending conferences.

ACLU/Prairie Pride Hosting Talk on Marriage Equality Case

The Central Illinois Chapter of the ACLU of Illinois and the Prairie Pride Coalition would like to invite you to a discussion on the Supreme Court's marriage equality case at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Normal Public Library Community Room, at 206 West College Ave.

The event will take place one day after the Supreme Court hears arguments on same-sex marriage as a constitutional right for couples across the country.

Sara Benson from the University of Illinois School of Law and ACLU of Illinois Communications and Public Policy Director Ed Yohnka will discuss their reactions to the hearing and share their predictions for the ruling on the case when it comes down.
 
The event is free and open to the public.

As of now, gay marriage is legal in 36 states. By the end of this Supreme Court term, either same-sex couples will be able to wed in all 50 states, or gay marriage bans may be reinstituted in many of the states where they've previously been struck down.

Tuesday's Supreme Court arguments focus on two questions: First, whether bans on gay marriage are constitutional; and second, if they are, whether those states with bans may refuse to recognize out-of-state gay marriages performed where they are legal.

The court has scheduled 2 1/2 hours of argument and will make the audio available online late Tuesday.

Four states — Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky — are defending their bans. They won their case in the lower court, and because other appeals courts threw out bans enacted in other states, the Supreme Court now must resolve the conflict.

The high-stakes legal battle is the culmination of a decades-long struggle in the courts, state legislatures and at the ballot box. During that time, public opinion has changed, and done so more rapidly — and dramatically — than on any major social issue in memory.

In 1996, public opinion polls showed, on average, only 27 percent of the public favored legalization; this year, although many states still adamantly resist gay marriage, public opinion polls put the approval number nationally at well over 50 percent.

Tuesday's courtroom battle pits states' rights against the fundamental right to marry; it pits the traditional definition of marriage against a more modern definition; and it pits majority rights against minority rights.

Before the court are the consolidated cases of 12 couples and two widowers. Among them are nurses, teachers, veterinarians, an Army sergeant and businessmen and women.

NIOT:BN Leaders Recognized For Life, Community Transformations

Twenty-six McLean County residents graduate from a program training them to be leaders, McLean County YWCA CEO D. Dontae Latson discuss his transformation from a 10-year-old boy with an arrest record, and Latson's Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal steering committee colleague, Bloomington Alderman Karen Schmidt was honored at Saturday's graduation ceremony for the Multicultural Leadership Program.

The "Celebrate Community"-themed event, at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom, featured Larson's keystone address and Schmidt's receiving MCLP's annual community service award.

MCLP began in 2009 with a goal of developing leaders who value diversity in decisionmaking at home, at work, and in the community.

Each year's participants are split into teams that assist a nonprofit group with a six-month project.

This year's nonprofits and projects included:

• Challenger Learning Center — enhance fundraising to support programs for area school children
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• Community Health Care Clinic — help with a dental care feasibility study and a five-year budget
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• Immanuel Health Center — increase name recognition
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• Meadows at Mercy Creek — recommend a staff development plan
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• Prairie Pride Coalition — redefine goals and outreach effort.

Latson grew up in a suburb of Washington, D.C., and watched the crack cocaine epidemic ramp up violence in his neighborhood.

In one year, he lost his brother and eight friends to violence.

Schmidt was recognized for her council service, local initiatives, and leadership. Below, listen to her acceptance speech.

El Dia de los Ninos Celebrates Books

Bloomington Public Library Saturday celebrated the magic of books and the wonders of bilingual education during Saturday's 8th Annual El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros celebration.

Guests enjoyed the magic of Jesus Rios and musical entertainment by Mike Anderson on the library patio. Children also enjoyed crafts, face painting by the Zoo Lady, visits with Dora the Explorer and other mascots, popcorn, and community services displays.

Each child received a goodie bag including a free book.

The Bloomington library in recent years has hosted bilingual story times and other events to highlight the benefit of dual Spanish and English language skills.

Here's a sample of the library's bilingual favorites:

Gossie, by Olivier Dunrea -- Gossie is a gosling who likes to wear bright red boots every day, no matter what she is doing, and so she is heartbroken the day the boots are missing and she can't find them anywhere.

Cool Salsa, by Lori Carlson and Oscar Hijuelos -- Poems celebrating Hispanic culture are the focus of this collection. Liberal sprinkling of Spanish words and phrases with some poems translated from one language to another make this an ideal anthology for both the English class and the bilingual ESL classroom. Topics for poems extend from hot dogs to learning English to the revolution in Nicaragua. What all of the selections have in common is the adolescent experience at the core of the poem.

Maximilian and The Mystery of the Guardian Angel, by Xavier Garza -- Eleven-year-old Maximilian, a big fan of the form of wrestling known as lucha libre, begins to suspect that he has a close connection with his favorite luchador, El Angel de La Guardia, the Guardian Angel.

Tractores Agricolas, by Matt Doeden -- Simple text and photographs describe farm tractors, their parts, and what they do--in both English and Spanish.

NIOT:B/N Uncovers New Pledges at 'Hide and Seek'

Bullying and its prevention took center stage at Breaking Chains & Advancing Increase's  (BCAI) School of Arts' Saturday end-of-semester dinner show, "Hide and Seek."

Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal "Not In Our Town" anti-bigotry/anti-bullying pledges at the program, at Hallelujah Worship Center 1105 E Oakland Ave., Bloomington.

The presentation featured performances from students of BCAI, as well as surrounding artists designed to provide perspectives from all angles of bullying, according to BCAI's Angelique Racki "to significantly decrease misunderstandings and increase appreciation for one another."

NIOT's Schmidt MCLP Award Recipent

You can often find this year’s MCLP Community Service Award recipient pedaling a bicycle around low-income neighborhoods, laden with an overflowing book box.

That determined and personal effort exemplifies Karen Schmidt, who has helped initiate and maintain numerous community projects — including the Book Bike Program that brings free books into the homes of local residents. Karen gives her voice, time, leadership, and financial support to a myriad of causes — locally and on a state and national level.

Karen serves as alderman and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Bloomington. Professionally, as Illinois Wesleyan University Librarian, Karen is active in state and national library associations, strengthening campus ties between technology and library services. She also connects IWU students to service learning opportunities that benefit the local community, especially the older Bloomington west side and downtown.

Karen is a board member of the Downtown Bloomington Association and a founding member of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation’s Women to Women Giving Circle. She coordinated a series of grassroot workshops on “Making Neighborhoods Work” in the City of Bloomington, and helped found the West Bloomington Revitalization Project (WBRP). She was instrumental in bringing together the police department and city churches to form the Moving Forward initiative, helping young people improve their chances for success, and is a board member of the Not In Our Town B/N initiative. Karen and her husband, John Elterich, established the Elterich Family Scholarship within the Pratt Music Foundation, giving music opportunities to lower-income youth.

In her family, her neighborhood, and her ward, Karen has personally experienced the challenges and opportunities that confront diverse populations, and spoken out for social justice across all sections of our community. Karen has been a long time supporter of MCLP—as a mentor, speaker, and financial contributor. Her life’s work exemplifies the very definition of a servant leader.

McLean County YWCA President D. Dontae Larson,  who also serves on NIOT: B/N's steering committee with Schmidt, is keynote speaker for April 25's Class of 2015 Graduation Celebration, where Karen Schmidt will receive the MCLP Community Service Award.

Labyrinth to Present 'Clean Slate' as Opportunity for Formerly Incarcerated

Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women will be showcasing its natural cleaning product microbusiness idea "Clean Slate" as an employment option for formerly incarcerated women in our community at the Community Innovation Fair, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday in Bloomington’s Friendship Park Neighborhood Area.

The fair will bring together local residents, community stakeholders, investors, and nonprofit organizations for a showcase of new ideas as well as entertainment for the whole family.

Labyrinth is a grassroots non-profit serving women transitioning from prison into the community or residents with involvement in the legal system.

It provides counseling, case management/referrals, prison visits, mentoring, and outreach services to these women.

Conexiones Latinas Helping Launch Ballet Folklorico

Conexiones Latinas de McLean County is launching a new endeavor, Ballet Folklorico de Central Illinois, an attempt to showcase the art and culture of the Latino community.

The original Ballet Folklórico de México is a Mexican ensemble in Mexico City. For six decades, it has presented dances in costumes that reflect the traditional culture of Mexico.

The ensemble also has appeared under the name Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández.

That ballet's works and musical pieces reflect various regions and folk music genres of Mexico. Many of the ensemble's works reflect the traditions of indigenous Mesoamerican culture.

Numbers of performers in individual dance numbers range from two to more than thirty-five.

Under Hernández, the group was a pioneer of Baile Folklórico in Mexico. Similar groups have formed in the U.S.

Take Back the Night Caps Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join YWCA McLean County's Stepping Stones in raising awareness and demanding an end to sexual violence.

Take Back the Night is a powerful way to show that all people should feel safe when walking alone at night.

The nighttime walk -- designed to emphasize the need for safety and security on Twin Cities streets -- is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 28 beginning at McLean County Museum of History at 200 North Main in Bloomington.

Meanwhile, here are some stats on sexual assault and violence to consider.

Education Summit April 29; New Youth Intervention Specialist on Board

As local law enforcement agencies prep next week to show how they interact with the community, efforts to keep youths from becoming involved in the juvenile justice system reportedly have gained momentum with the introduction of a youth intervention specialist for the Bloomington Police Department.

Michael Donnelly, who works as community impact manager with the United Way of McLean County, will work part time with police to identify and mentor at-risk youth.

Mayor Tari Renner said the city is not alone in the challenges posed by youths who get into trouble. Calling youth crime "one of the top social issues" among mayors, Renner said a $25,000 grant from State Farm will allow Donnelly to work with youths and their families to address small matters before they become bigger ones.

A similar program funded by State Farm has been in place at the Normal Police Department since 2008.

BPD Chief Brendan Heffner said Donnelly will work with the agency's four school resource officers and McLean County juvenile probation staff to help students who need guidance.

"We know we won't save every young person we come in contact with," said Donnelly, but building a bridge that serves police, families and social services is a positive first step.

Donnelly's prior experience working with youth through several community programs makes him a good fit, said Heffner.

Retired 11th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb attended the announcement at BPD and said Donnelly "knows the families and the system," agreeing having a person who knows how to talk to youths about the consequences of their mistakes will provide the community with a much-needed resource.

McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers also applauded the city for obtaining the grant and for hiring Donnelly.

"Its not unusual for adults in the criminal justice system to have a history of police contact as a juvenile. A lot of what law enforcement does is reactive. It's great to see someone working on prevention," said Chambers.

City officials did not have an estimate for the number of youths Donnelly could see during the year he will work under the grant.  With the onset of warm weather when youths are typically more active, he could be busy, Heffner admitted.

The city plans to seek a renewal of the grant after its reviews statistics on the impact Donnelly's work has on police interaction with at-risk youth.

Bonilla-Silva: 'New Racism' Thriving in U.S.

This year the Illinois State University Department of Sociology and Anthropology is honored to bring to campus Dr. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, chair of the Department of Sociology at Duke University.

One of his Bonilla-Silva's most relevant books, Racism Without Racists: Colorblind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States, has been adopted for classes at ISU, and is currently being read by a group of sociology students.

In his book, he challenges the notions of a “post-racial,” “color blind” society to expose the contemporary contours of racial inequality in the United States. Bonilla Silva will visit campus Thursday and Friday, first guesting at a 3:00-5:00 p.m. reception at Medici in Uptown Normal. At 7 p.m., he will lecture on “The Sweet Enchantment of Post-Racial Racism in America,” in the Old Main Room of Bone Student Center.

Bonilla-Silva will examine the contours of America’s racial landscape since the early 1970s. His main claim is that racism, viewed in structural terms, has remained a central organizational principle of American life, albeit in changed form. The nation has moved away from traditional segregation and discrimination, but a “new racism” has taken its place. This new racial system relies on subtle, seemingly non-racial practices to reproduce white privilege, Bonilla-Silva maintains.

Along with the “new racism” structure, a new racial discourse has emerged to organize racial transactions and discussions — the ideology of “color-blind racism.” Bonilla-Silva will examine the component parts of this new ideology in detail. At the end of his talk, he will suggest various strategies to fight discrimination in this new racial order.  

The Robert G. Bone Distinguished Lecture Series was established by the late Illinois State University President, Robert G. Bone (1956-1967). It is a yearly lecture shared by the departments of History, Politics and Government, and Sociology and Anthropology. It is designed to bring to campus distinguished scholars to deliver a public lecture and to meet with the faculty and students. 

Unit 5 Passes Not In Our School Resolution

The Unit 5 School District Board Wednesday passed a historic, student-presented "Not In Our School" resolution that formally sets down standards for addressing bullying and fostering inclusivity:

McLean County School District Not In Our School Resolution 
WHEREAS, bullying and intolerance has become a daily occurrence on many school campuses and in towns and cities across the nation; 
WHEREAS, bullying can take many forms, including verbal, physical, and most recently in cyberspace, and can happen in many places on and off school grounds;  
WHEREAS, history has tragically taught us what happens when people stand by and allow acts of bullying, intolerance, and hatred to occur; 
WHEREAS, it is important for parents, students, teachers, and school administrators to be aware of bullying, and to encourage discussion of the problem as a school community;  
WHEREAS, by teaching students to embrace differences, have empathy, and become upstanders who stand up for themselves and others, we create a safer school climate and prepare them to be upstanding citizens;  
WHEREAS, students, educators, and community members across the country who have started Not In Our School campaigns have been successful in opposing all forms of bullying and harassment;  
WHEREAS, schools and communities nationwide have used Not In Our School resources to create safe and inclusive environments where students feel accepted and belonging and can focus on their studies; 
WHEREAS, we, the Board of Education of McLean County Unit District No. 5, oppose any manifestation of bullying, harassment, prejudice and all forms of intolerance towards any group or individual; 
WE the Board of Education of McLean County Unit District No. 5, together with students and faculty across our District and the country, resolve to stand up against bullying and intolerance and actively work to make our campus free from discrimination and hatred. We also resolve to promote safety, inclusion, and acceptance, joining thousands of others to say with one voice, "Not In Our School.”  

Dear White People April 20 at Braden

A film examining race relations will air Monday, April 20, at Bone Student Center's Braden Auditorium, followed by an opportunity to dialogue with the star.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. showing of Dear White People,  is a satirical comedy-drama starring actress Tessa Thompson that follows the lives of four Black students and their experiences regarding race relations at a predominately White Ivy League college. Things boil over when an all-white staff of a humor magazine stages an offensive Halloween party.

 Moviegoers can enter to win the opportunity to meet Tessa Thompson on April 21 for “A Talk About Race Through the Arts.” The forum, which also starts at 7 p.m. in the Braden Auditorium, will address how race, diversity, and inclusion are illustrated through the arts. Thompson was also featured in the film Selma and For Colored Girls and played ‘Jackie Cook’ on the CW’s crime show Veronica Mars.

 Her performance in Dear White People landed her a Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor, as well as a the 46th Annual NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

 The events are sponsored by the ISU Dean of Students Office and ISU’s American Democracy Project.

Immigration Discussion, Film Wednesday Evening

Twin Citians are welcome Wednesday to gain a perspective on "Living in B-N as an Undocumented Immigrant," during a Drinks & Dialogue get-together at 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uptown Normal.

The discussion will be led by Jasmine McGee, executive director of The Immigrant Project, and Jennifer Carrillo from Illinois People's Action.

After the discussion, all those interested can take the short walk down the street to the Normal Theater at 7 p.m. to view the film Documented. The Immigration Project and its community partners are sponsoring the screening of the film, created by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas about his experience as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. The film tracks his journey from the Phillipines as a child and becoming one of the most well-known immigration reform activists in the U.S., to reconnecting with his mother after more than 20 years. 

The screening will be followed by a discussion with the Immigration Project, immigrants, and other immigration advocates and experts. This event is free, but donations are requested to support The Immigration Project.

Community partners include the League of Women Voters, Illinois People’s Action, Moses Montefiore Temple, First Presbyterian Church, Mennonite Church, Holy Trinity Church, and St. Mary’s Church.

Not In Our Town: Bloomington-Normal's Kelley Becker notes that "we are struggling with how to respond to the strangers who are crossing our southern borders, to live in our communities, to work in our businesses and farms, and to learn with our children." Amid current sociopolitical hysteria,  she stressed most of the estimated 11.7 million "undocumenteds" in the U.S. are here for economic reasons, and "are not here to harm us."

Becker witnessed ramped-up federal border security/immigration enforcement activity during a tour centered in Tucson, including "Operation Streamline" prosecution and deportation of selected individuals who'd illegally entering the country, including minors who did not wish to be separated from other families. "I would not have believed this was a courtroom in the United States," Becker said, arguing those proceedings divert federal resources away from prosecution of drug smugglers and human traffickers who pose a palpable threat to the U.S.

That experience, as well as inspecting the border areas where Mexicans crossed into the U.S., highlights the need to "legislatively, socially, and ethically" deal with the immigration issue, she maintained. An Arizona host showed Becker objects including a bottle of insulin and a baby shoe discarded by individuals fleeing Mexico.

"We began to think about the people who left these things behind in the desert," she recalled. "We cannot disagree about the value of these human beings."

McLean County Hosts Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events

The month's local observances began last Thursday with a Teal Ribbon Ceremony at Heartland Community College. Community members were invited to tie ribbons around the campus or paint a single fingernail teal to symbolize support for sexual assault survivors.

The Clothesline Project will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at YWCA, 1201 N. Hershey Road. Assault survivors are invited to create shirts to be displayed on a clothesline; supplies will be provided. Shirts will be on display throughout April at Behind The Glass Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 315 N. Main St., Bloomington; Wednesday through April 9 at Heartland Community College; and April 10 at YWCA.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St. Goal of the event — featuring keynote speaker Steve Thompson, an expert on sexual assault and stalking — is to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is $25 — $10 for students and seniors — and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org.

Brave Miss World, a movie about rape and followed by a panel discussion, will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at Illinois State University's Center for Visual Arts, Normal. The event is hosted by ISU's Graduate Organization of the School Psychology program.

Take Back the Night will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at McLean County Museum of History. The event will include speakers, a rally, a 1½-mile walk through downtown Bloomington and a candlelight vigil.

Summer Immersion Saturday Offers Spanish Course

This summer, Illinois Wesleyan University will offer a quality Spanish language program for children ages four to 12 as the first initiative of the new IWU Language School for Kids.

Starting in May, the Summer Immersion Saturday School will include activities that teach languages through games, songs, stories, and crafts. Classes will take place 9 to 11 a.m. from May 9 through July 18, and will be held in the Buck Memorial Library. Registration for the summer program is $230 per student for early registration (full payment due by April 14) and $250 after April 14. Multiple child discounts are available.

In the fall of 2016, an afterschool language program will be offered. The Summer Immersion and after-school language programs aim to promote early second language acquisition, and will offer children the opportunity to learn a variety of languages and gain knowledge of the rich cultural traditions of the target language. Research indicates childhood is the ideal time to begin learning a second language.

In accordance with the University’s mission, the school will also provide unique opportunities for students at Illinois Wesleyan. The school will create on-campus teaching opportunities for IWU foreign and second language teacher pre-candidates, offer academic internships in the languages, promote community engagement, and provide teaching experience to enhance competitiveness for post-graduate fellowships.

An initiative of the Language Resource Center, the program is made possible by a Donnocker Innovation Fund Program Grant. The Language Resource Center represents the departments of French, Italian, German, Russian and Asian Languages, Hispanic Studies, and Greek and Roman Studies.

Bone Lecture On 'Post-Racial Racism' April 23

Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, the author of Racism Without Racists: Colorblind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States, will present The Sweet Enchantment of Post-racial Racism in America for the Illinois State University annual Bone Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center. The event, sponsored by Illinois State’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, is free and open to the public.

Bonilla-Silva is a professor of sociology at Duke University. In this talk, he will examine the contours of America’s racial landscape since the early 1970s. “Racism, viewed in structural terms, has remained a central organizational principle of American life albeit in changed form,” said Bonilla-Silva, who added that the nation has moved away from traditional segregation and discrimination, but a “new racism” has taken its place. “This new racial system relies on subtle, seemingly non-racial practices to reproduce white privilege.” He will provide examples of these practices.

He argues along with the “new racism” structure, a new racial discourse has emerged to organize racial transactions and discussions – the ideology of “color-blind racism.” Bonilla-Silva will examine the component parts of this new ideology in detail. At the end of his talk, he will suggest various strategies to fight discrimination in this new racial order.

Bonilla-Silva received his bachelor’s degree in sociology and economics from the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras campus in 1984. He received his master’s degree in 1987 and his Ph.D. in 1993 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He worked at the University of Michigan and Texas A&M University, and is currently chair of the Department of Sociology at Duke University. He is also affiliated with African and African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Latino Studies and the Institute for Critical U.S. Studies.

Professor Bonilla-Silva gained visibility in the social sciences with his 1997 American Sociological Review article, Rethinking Racism: Toward a Structural Interpretation, where he challenged social analysts to analyze racial matters from a structural perspective rather than from the sterile prejudice perspective.

His research has appeared in journals such as Sociological Inquiry, Racial and Ethnic Studies, Race and Society, Discourse and Society, American Sociological Review, Journal of Latin American Studies, Contemporary Sociology, Critical Sociology, Research in Politics and Society, The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and Political Power and Social Theory, among others.

To date, he has published five books, White Supremacy and Racism in the Post-Civil Rights Era, a co-winner of the 2002 Oliver Cox Award given by the American Sociological Association; Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States, a winner of the 2004 Choice Award; White Out: The Continuing Significance of Racism with Ashley Doane; White Logic, White Methods: Racism and Social Science with Tukufu Zuberi, which also was the co-winner of the 2009 Oliver Cox Award; and State of White Supremacy: Racism, Governance, and the United States with Moon Kie Jung and João H. Costa Vargas.

Bonilla-Silva has received many awards, most notably, the 2007 Lewis Coser Award given by the Theory Section of the American Sociological Association for Theoretical-Agenda Setting and in 2011, the Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award given by the American Sociological Association “to an individual or individuals for their work in the intellectual traditions of the work of these three African American scholars.”

The Robert G. Bone Distinguished Lecture Series was established by the late Illinois State University President Robert G. Bone (1956-1967). The annual lecture, shared by the Departments of History, Politics and Government, and Sociology and Anthropology, is designed to bring to campus distinguished scholars to deliver a public lecture and meet with the faculty and students.