Editorial: Interfaith event aims to embrace our differences

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.

Interfaith Rally to Show Unity, Promote Freedom

Lenore Sobota

The Pantagraph

Amid anti-Islamic rhetoric elsewhere in the country, the anti-discrimination group Not In Our Town hopes to bring people together Wednesday in an interfaith show of solidarity.

The event, at 6 p.m., is planned for the east side of the McLean County Museum of History downtown — the same side where the World War II memorial refers to the “four freedoms” outlined by former President Franklin Roosevelt, including “freedom of worship” and “freedom from fear.”

The Rev. Kelley Becker of First Christian Church, Bloomington, a co-sponsor of the event, said much of the reaction in the wake of attacks in Paris and California is based on fear.

“Fear is so powerful,” Becker said. “We believe love is more powerful than fear.”

The purpose of the event to show “our Islamic brothers and sisters” that “this community is a safe, welcoming place.”

In announcing the event, organizers encouraged people of all faiths or of no particular faith to stand together to show that stereotyping of groups is not acceptable in the Twin Cities.

Other co-sponsors include New Covenant Community, the Presbytery of Great Rivers interfaith group and the Moses Montefiore Temple, in collaboration with the Islamic Center of Bloomington-Normal and Masjid Ibrahim Mosque.

Mike Matejka, a member of Not In Our Town since it began 20 years ago in Bloomington-Normal, said, “Every movement, group, religion has extremists in it. That doesn't mean that every follower of that movement or religion is an extremist.”

He said Wednesday's event is an opportunity to take a stand and let the local Islamic community know “we're not going to fall into the trap of hatefulness.”

In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place at Major Hall, First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson St., Bloomington.

But Becker is hopeful the event can stay outside.

“The idea of coming together in full view of the entire community is a good thing,” she said.

In addition to representatives from various faiths saying a few words, those gathered will also light candles, said Becker, adding, "Lighting candles is so much a part of many faith traditions.”

Matejka acknowledged that some people think the efforts of Not In Our Town, such as posting anti-racism signs, are superficial.

But Matejka said, “It's important that publicly we reinforce those stances, that we're a community that works hard not to just tolerate, but to celebrate our diversity.”

NIOTBN Working to Foster Renewed Season4Reason

Camille Taylor

WJBC Forum

Tis the “Season4Reason” and “Peace on earth, good will towards men!” Does it seem odd that during a season of peace and hope you can’t turn on the TV without seeing so much hate?

Not In Our Town has a message on electronic billboards that proclaim this to be a “Season4Reason” amidst all of the ignorant and hate-filled messages we are receiving. It stands to reason that we’ve always had people of all faiths living not only in America but around the world. It stands to reason that we have both good people and bad people in every faith, non-believers, race, income, and gender.

Some people take the opportunity to promote their own agenda when people are afraid and try to turn people against one another. It stands to reason that we should get the facts before we jump to conclusions against others. It also stands to reason that everyone should not be lumped into one group and labelled when a small minority of individuals does something bad.

That’s why I’m happy to give you “good news” about some events in our community that reflect a “Season4Reason.” The WJBC Brotherhood Tree is in full speed this week at the National Guard Armory. Volunteers are needed each night this week to wrap, sort, and bag gifts that need to be delivered on the morning of Saturday, the 19th. This effort reaches people who are struggling financially from all faiths, races, and genders. Gifts are particularly needed in the 13-18 age categories, specifically young men 17 to 18. The focus is for them to have a decent Christmas, not to judge who they are or where they came from.

Last week, over twenty students from area schools came together to get the tools and resources they need to develop their Not In Our School Clubs. Their goal is to stop hate, address bullying, and to make their schools more safe and inclusive.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 16 at 6 p.m., Not In Our Town is sponsoring an interfaith, community solidarity event on the east side of the Old Courthouse in downtown Bloomington. Co-sponsors are First Christian Church, New Covenant Community, the Presbytery of Great Rivers, and Moses Montefiore Temple in collaboration with the Islamic Center of B/N and Masjid Ibrahim Mosque. By bringing all faiths together, we show that stereotyping groups within our community is not acceptable.

We have the opportunity to make this a “Season4Reason” and spread “Peace on earth, good will toward men!” We just need the collective will to do it! I’m Camille Taylor for the WJBC Forum.

In addition, listen to Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal's Kelley Becker, associate minister at Bloomington First Christian Church, discuss the need for interfaith understanding and cooperation with WGLT-Radio's Charlie Schlenker, at http://wglt.org/post/interfaith-muslim-solidarity-event-set

IWU Human Rights Research Workshop Feb. 26-27

The Center for Human Rights and Social Justice at Illinois Wesleyan will sponsor its fourth annual Human Rights Undergraduate Research Workshop on Feb. 26-27, 2016.

The theme for the workshop is Inequality and Inequity - emphasizing the economic, social, and political aspects of those issues. Undergraduate students from liberal arts institutions across the country come together for two days, presenting their independent research that relates to this year’s theme.

Students who are in the process of investigating topics within inequality and inequity are encouraged to apply and participate in this program. Research projects do not need to be completed by any means. The research is well structured for student in the process of research to share their findings, self-critique, and receive constructive feedback from peers and faculty mentorship to help create a worthy end product. 

A keynote speaker will be announced in the next month. Previous attendees include students and faculty from Luther, Beloit, Macalester, Grinnell, Vassar, Albion and George Mason University. Previous speakers include Martha Nussbaum (University of Chicago), Jon Ebel (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Alfred Babo (Smith College), John Wilson (AAUP) and Semahagn Gashu Abebe (University of Connecticut).

Angela Davis to Headline MLK Dinner Jan. 22

Social equality activist and author Angela Davis will headline the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner on Friday, January 22, in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. Reservations are required.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Seats are $15 for students and $35 for non-students. Reservations can be made until January 11 by calling 438-8790, online at UniversityEvents.IllinoisState.edu/MLK, or printing and mailing the flyer.

 

The event is sponsored by Illinois State’s Office of the President and the Illinois State student chapter of the NAACP.

Davis draws upon her own experiences in the early 1970s as a person who spent 18 months in jail and on trial, after being placed on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted List” in her quest for equality. Through her activism and scholarship over many decades, she has been deeply involved in movements for social justice around the world, always emphasizing the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial, and gender justice.

Professor Davis’ teaching career has taken her to San Francisco State University, Mills College, and the University of California at Berkeley. She also has taught at UCLA, Vassar, the Claremont Colleges, and Stanford University. Most recently she spent 15 years at the University of California Santa Cruz, where she is now a Distinguished Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and of Feminist Studies.

The author of nine books on race, gender, and imprisonment, Davis’ recent works include Abolition Democracy, Are Prisons Obsolete?, and a new edition of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. In 2012, she published a new collection of essays entitled The Meaning of Freedom.

In recent years, a persistent theme of her work has been the range of social problems associated with incarceration, and the generalized criminalization of those communities that are most affected by poverty and racial discrimination. She has lectured on the subject throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. She is a founding member of Critical Resistance, a national organization dedicated to the dismantling of the prison-industrial complex. Davis is affiliated with Sisters Inside, an abolitionist organization based in Queensland, Australia, that works in solidarity with women in prison.

The event is part of the President’s Speaker Series at Illinois State University.

For more information, or if you need special accommodations to fully participate in this event, please contact Julie Barnhill, Presidential and Trustee Events, at jtbarnh@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-8790(309) 438-8790.

Here are some remarks by Davis at Florida A&M University in 1979.


Study: Income Security Key for Formerly Incarcerated Women

Through a sociology class project, Illinois State University Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development graduate students are assisting previously incarcerated women in Bloomington-Normal in regaining their independence and attaining a consistent income.

Through a partnership with Labyrinth Outreach Services, organized by Illinois State Professor Joan Brehm and supported by a Pohlmann Family Development grant, students have been researching issues relating to previously incarcerated women in the community. Caroline Moe, a Peace Corps Master’s International student, maintains that the project is a step in the right direction for this underserved portion of the community.

“Unfortunately, there is significant income inequality and lack of opportunity for those living below the poverty line,” Moe said. “In McLean County, 14.2 percent of the population live below this line, including many of the women Labyrinth serves. This partnership provides an opportunity for us to gain real-world experience in community development as well as feeling like we are actually accomplishing something.”

The 18 students formed two groups: a microbusiness research team and an employment hiring practices team. Despite their grueling school schedules, both teams worked hard to bring hope for these struggling women.

“This project has been a great insight into the collaboration involved in executing community development projects,” said Peace Corps Master’s International student Jessie Linder. “We’ve gotten to network and collaborate with members in many different sectors of the community and gotten to see firsthand how exciting a project can be when you get community members involved. I’ve found that it isn’t nearly as important to have the answer, as it is to figure out what the community’s answer is.”

Some students, like Peace Corps Fellow Nick Canfield, have never experienced formal community development research. Thanks to this all-encompassing project, students like Canfield have been able to broaden their knowledge base in order to serve others.

“Although I had done community development programs during my Peace Corps experience in Pohnpei, Micronesia, I had not worked integrally with a large group toward presenting important and meaningful research to organizations,” Canfield said. “This project is directly geared towards creating methods to answer big questions which have real-world implications, and it has greatly improved my knowledge of research methods, project implementation, and community development.”

The students have been seeking donations to raise $5,000 so that Labyrinth can launch a social enterprise, the Clean Slate Project. The goal of the Clean Slate Project is to empower the women to make positive changes in their lives while gaining valuable professional skills in preparation for transitioning into the workforce. Individuals interested in making a donation should contact Linder.

Linder, Moe, and Applied Community and Economic Development Fellow Mel Johnston-Gross are project coordinators for this outreach effort. “To begin this portion of the project, we had to look at the starting group and the feasibility of this actually working,” Moe said. “This has proven to be very difficult, but we know it will be worth it in the end. Sometimes, it really is the little things like finishing a request for donation letter that really makes us feel good about our work, even when we are feeling overwhelmed.”

The students presented their research findings to Labyrinth December 8 at a public forum.

“I hope the findings will help them to better assist formerly incarcerated women to successfully re-enter society,” Canfield said.

According to the study, incarcerated women tend to be involved in non-violent crimes, have a
history of abuse and/or drug use, and tend to be of a lower socio-economic status. The crimes
women get arrested for most often correspond to their lower social and economic status.

"The racial divisions are also stark," the analysis stated. "One study reported that black women are over seven times more likely to be incarcerated than white women. On average, women earn lower wages and are less likely to be employed.

The study focused on three key case studies that show how a social enterprise model might work and be successful. The three case studies students chose were the Women’s Denver Bean Project, Thistle Farms, and the Delancey Street Foundation.  Al…

The study focused on three key case studies that show how a social enterprise model might work and be successful. The three case studies students chose were the Women’s Denver Bean Project, Thistle Farms, and the Delancey Street Foundation.  All three organizations are applicable to Bloomington's Labyrinth because they focus on similar populations and use a social enterprise model.

"Chronic unemployment may be explained in part by a lack of educational attainment which
keeps them from being competitive for living-wage jobs. One study found that less than half of
the incarcerated women in the study had completed high school. The implication for women reentering the community is a return to the same social circumstances
which influenced their original criminogenic behavior."

Michael: Reject Islamophobia, 'Meet Our Neighbors'

Michael Gizzi

Illinois State University

Not In Our Town is sponsoring an interfaith, community solidarity event on Wednesday, December 16, 6 p.m., on the east side of the Old Courthouse, 200 N. Main Street, downtown Bloomington.   Co-sponsoring are First Christian Church, New Co…

Not In Our Town is sponsoring an interfaith, community solidarity event on Wednesday, December 16, 6 p.m., on the east side of the Old Courthouse, 200 N. Main Street, downtown Bloomington.   Co-sponsoring are First Christian Church, 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.  In case of inclement weather, the event will move to Major Hall, First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson, Bloomington.

The last month has seen a resurgence in concerns about terrorism, both global and domestic.  Between the ISIS attack on Paris, the Planned Parenthood shooter, and now the San Bernardino attacks, the end result is that American fears about terrorism are now greater than at any time since 9/11.   

Much of this fear has translated into intense unwarranted distrust against Muslims.  Social media has been filled with hateful rhetoric targeting Islam, and an assumption that Islam is a religion of hatred and not peace. All Muslims have been cast into the same categories as being extremist radicalized jihadists. The rhetoric has only been made worse by extreme statements by presidential candidates and other public figures. The end result is a toxic environment in which core American values are being sacrificed for a politics of hatred, fear, and anger. A politics where well over one million American citizens feel threatened, targeted, and in danger.

It is easy to marginalize those who are different; those with names that sound foreign; those who profess a different faith; those who wear different clothing; those who look different. But when we do this, we diminish our own beliefs and faith traditions.  Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all a part of what are called the Abrahamic Faiths -- all share a common belief in the same one God.  A God of peace.  The God of Abraham.  

Abraham is central to the story told in Genesis -- the first book of the Bible.  Abraham has a central role in not only Judaism, but in Christianity, and Islam as well.  In the latter, Abraham, like Jesus, is revered as a prophet. Abraham represents faith, sacrifice, commitment, and patience. These are shared values, of three religions which profess peace and love as their primary values.  Indeed, the very word Islam is derived from the Arabic word “salema” or peace.  Muslims greet each other with “a salaam alikum”  (peace be unto you). This is not just a platitude. It is part and parcel of Muslim belief and practice.

Yet, it is so easy to miss this, when all we see is someone different. It is only in the “other” where we can see the true face of God.  As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks proclaims in his book Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence, “the human other is a divine other” and the supreme challenge is to see God’s image in the one who is not in our image. It is in the desire to seek the divine other that makes it so important to take a stand against bigotry and hatred. And as Rabbi Sacks wrote last week in the Washington Post, “Faith is like a flame. Properly tended, it gives light and warmth, but let loose, it can burn and destroy. We need, in the 21st century, a global Hanukkah: a festival of freedom for all the world’s faiths. For though my faith is not yours and your faith is not mine, if we are each free to light our own flame, together we can banish some of the darkness of the world."

This Wednesday (December 16), people in Bloomington-Normal are taking a stand to banish the darkness. Not in Our Town, along with several faith communities, are gathering together with the Muslim Community to show our support and solidarity. We need to say no to islamophobia. We need to look beyond labels, and meet our neighbors.

From left, Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, Michael Gizzi, Rodef Shalom Eliyahu McLean, Deacon Jiries Mansour, during a recent interfaith dialogue at ISU.

From left, Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, Michael Gizzi, Rodef Shalom Eliyahu McLean, Deacon Jiries Mansour, during a recent interfaith dialogue at ISU.

In doing so, we can learn that Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others have far more in common than we have differences. We need to gather together in solidarity to reaffirm our commitment to peace. In doing so, we can show that there is no place for hatred or fear.  We can pledge that our community is safe and welcoming for all. Join us at 6 pm, at the Old County Courthouse in downtown Bloomington.  

A salaam alikum.  Peace Be Unto You.    

Michael Gizzi is a professor at Illinois State University, and is moderator-elect of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, Presbyterian Church USA. He attends New Covenant Community and leads an interfaith group for the Presbyterian Church.

Students Write for Rights of Victims Worldwide

The Illinois Wesleyan University campus chapter of Amnesty International recently organized a Write for Rights event. By the end of the evening, students — joined by a few faculty and administrators — wrote more than 100 letters on behalf of people who they believe are wrongfully imprisoned or being denied their rights.

“What we hope to accomplish is to add our voices to those around the world in this global Amnesty International event,” said Emily Haas, a junior who is co-president of the IWU chaper.

The event is part of a commemoration of Human Rights Day, marked each year on Dec. 10, the anniversary of the U.N. General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. That falls in the middle of IWU's final exams, so the campus campaign took place a week early.

Letting authorities know “we're watching what they're doing” can lead to improved conditions for prisoners, said IWU senior Nicole Jovicevic of Des Plaines, but “the ultimate goal is their freedom.”

Jovicevic, a regional student activist coordinator for Amnesty International-Illinois, will graduate this month with a bachelor's degree in political science. She has been involved since her freshman year in the international organization that describes itself as “a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights.”

Amnesty International developed profiles of 12 people for this year's Write for Rights campaign and the IWU chapter chose to focus on four cases:

  • An inmate in Louisiana who has been in prison for 40 years and whose release is being fought by the state's attorney general although his conviction on a charge of murdering a guard has been overturned.
  • A woman in Syria who was taken into custody, along with her six children, by government forces in 2013 and hasn't been heard from since.
  • A student leader in Myanmar who was among more than 100 students arrested earlier this year at a march against a law limiting academic freedom. She remains imprisoned.
  • Girls as young as 11 forced into marriages in Burkina Faso, even though the nation's constitution forbids such marriages.

In addition to letters directed to government officials, letters also were written to the imprisoned individuals, or those working on their behalfs, to show support and let them know others are thinking of them.

NIOT Workshop Educates Students on Diversity, Respect

Julia Evelsizer

The Pantagraph

Nia Gilbert was the only University High School student who took a day off school Thursday for a unique field trip.

She didn’t visit a museum or tour a courthouse. She spent the day with more than 20 other local students, sharing experiences and opinions about bullying and diversity at the first local Not In Our School (NIOS) workshop.

“We have so many clubs and groups at U High, which is great, but I’d like to see them taking more action instead of just discussing the problems,” said Gilbert, a U High senior. “I think this sort of workshop will help bring those changes we need to schools.”

Gilbert was joined by students and faculty sponsors from Normal Community, Normal West and Bloomington high schools and Bloomington Junior High School at the YWCA in Bloomington.

“The goal of this workshop is to cultivate student leaders, create collaborations among students and schools and provide a forum for youth voices,” said Camille Taylor, co-chair of the Bloomington Normal Not In Our Town (NIOT) education committee.

Twin Cities students participated in a Not In Our School workshop this week focusing on stopping bullying and promoting diversity. They were joined by area teachers and Not In Our Town: Bloomington-Normal leaders Camille Taylor, front row right, and…

Twin Cities students participated in a Not In Our School workshop this week focusing on stopping bullying and promoting diversity. They were joined by area teachers and Not In Our Town: Bloomington-Normal leaders Camille Taylor, front row right, and Mary Aplington, back row fifth from right.

With help from the Regional Office of Education and NIOT, the day-long workshop included speakers, activities and discussion.

“Most schools have Key Club and Student Council, but those groups' focus isn’t to create an inclusive climate for students,” said Taylor. “When someone commits suicide or brings a gun to school, we say, ‘How did we not see this coming?’ It’s because we need groups of students and faculty to discuss and address these issues.”

Jay Shannon, Project Oz liaison coordinator with BHS, shared a project called “I See You” created by the HYPE Leadership Group at BHS.

He passed around a poster board with photos of HYPE students sharing their biggest insecurities.

“We should not see our insecurities and differences as weaknesses, but strengths,” said Shannon. “If we share our insecurities we can support each other.”

Amari Funderburg attended the workshop with the plan to strengthen support groups at her high school for future students.

“I want to learn things here and take it back to school and plant seeds,” said Funderburg, NCHS senior. “After I graduate, I want this sort of group to continue to flourish.”

Along with several peers, Funderburg was joined at the workshop by Bryan Thomas, NCHS track and field coach and NIOS sponsor.

“If you see someone being bullied, don’t be a bystander, be an upstander,” Thomas said to students. “Talk to your teachers. It makes us aware of what’s going on with you guys and helps us understand how to help.”

Between teacher presentations, students were eager to participate and share experiences and solutions. The sponsors sat back, listened and took notes.

“I’ve found that students are more open to diversity than adults,” said John Bierbaum, NIOS club sponsor for West. “In the midst of such polarizing politics, kids need the space and opportunity in school to focus on these issues instead of just rhetoric.”

Interfaith Solidarity Event December 16 at Old Courthouse

Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal is sponsoring an interfaith, community solidarity event at 6 p.m.  Wednesday, December 16, on the east side of the Old Courthouse, 200 N. Main Street, downtown Bloomington.

Co-sponsoring are First Christian Church, 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.  

 In case of inclement weather, the event will move to Major Hall, First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson, Bloomington.

 "With the sad facts of terrorist attacks and murders this past month, we need the spirit of religion to rekindle our commitment to living peacefully," said Rev. Kelley Becker of First Christian Church, Bloomington.  

"Particularly our Islamic brothers and sisters are being targeted. We hope that all faiths can come together in the spirit of human togetherness and peaceful recognition of the freedom of religion and expression in the United States. Stigmatizing a whole religious faith because of the actions of a few can cloud our recognition of the message of peace that all religions proclaim."

“We are diverse yet equal in our world: Jewish, Christian, Moslem, Hindi, Buddhist, Sikh, Humanist and so many more,” said Interim Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe of Moses Montefiore Temple.  “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.”

 People of all faiths, or of no particular religious belief, are encouraged to come stand together to show that stereotyping of groups within our community is not acceptable.

 Not In Our Town is an active, 20-year-old effort in Bloomington-Normal to "stop hate, address bullying and build a safe, inclusive community."  Not In Our Town is a grass-roots efforts that has hosted numerous events through the years to address community concerns and build an atmosphere of mutual recognition and support for all people.   You can learn more at www.niotbn.org.   

 The national Not In Our Town movement began in Billings, Montana in 1993, when a series of hate crimes by white supremacists were directed against Native Americans, African-American and Jewish residents.   The community banded together to say "Not In Our Town" and sparked a national movement.  More information is available at www.niot.org.

 For more information, contact Rev. Kelley Becker of First Christian Church at 309-829-9327 or Michael Gizzi,  309-831-6840,  mgizzi@me.com,  moderator-elect,  Presbytery of Great Rivers, or Mike Matejka at 309-208-1120.

Twin Cities Muslims Worried by Trump's Proposals

Maria Nagle

The Pantagraph

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call for barring Muslims from entering the United States sent a chill through Dr. Faisal Ahmed of Bloomington, whose mother still lives in Pakistan.

"She wants to visit her grandchildren, and she could be traveling here and living with us at some point," said the child psychiatrist who was among Muslims who spoke to The Pantagraph on Tuesday at the Islamic Center of Bloomington/Normal.

Trump said he would allow Muslims who are U.S. citizens to leave and return from international travel, but all others would be banned. That would include Ahmed, who wants to become a U.S. citizen, and his mother. 

"It's going to be a catastrophe for most of the Muslims because it's a personal freedom here to see our loved ones and take care of our mothers and fathers when they are sick and old," said Ahmed.

"It's sad because it's dehumanizing a particular religion, which is against the U.S. Constitution," he added.

Muslims haven't experienced a backlash from anyone in Bloomington-Normal, noted Mohammed Zaman, president of Masjid Ibrahim, a mosque in Bloomington. 

"In my 15 years here I haven't really seen any hatred in Bloomington-Normal," said Zaman, an information-technology consultant who moved from Bahrain to the United States shortly before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"We are much more worried about our kids than ourselves right now," said Zaman. "They are the ones who are really facing these challenges.

"We know what is going on and we can answer the questions, but the kids are going to be really confused, and of course, scared a little bit."

Ahmed said he was relieved to see the swift, widespread condemnation of Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric.

"But what (Trump) did manage to attain with this kind of rhetoric is to instill fear in people's minds, both at home and abroad," said Ahmed. "That plays out in what this mad group of people, ISIS, is trying to instill in people: fear."

Reiterating a message on ICBN's website, Ahmed said terrorists claiming to believe in Islam are distorting the true spirit of the religion.

"The Quran states: 'He who kills one person kills all humanity,'" he said.

There are 1.5 billion followers of Islam, and "only a small fraction is doing something bad," said IT consultant Jamal Mohamed of Normal, who moved from India in 2004. "The majority doesn't do that."

Zaman and Ahmed added that they fear that acceptance could change if anti-Muslim rhetoric intensifies.

Zaman's 17-year-old son, Mohammed, a graduate of Normal Community High School, said many of his friends told him that "Mr. Trump took it too far, and I also agreed with them."

He added: "We do not represent anything that has been going on. We know that we are following our path of Islam in the most sincere way possible."

The shootings in Aurora, Colo., and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., were committed by people considered to be social outsiders, and Ahmed said the same is true of radicalized Muslims.

"They don't fit in," said Ahmed. "One of the things I really want to convey is that all these people who have done very terrible things are really alone and aloof and aren't connected to the Islamic community. They have a failed ideology and a divisive ideology that turns brothers against against brothers and people against people."

Trump's statement on Monday came a day after President Barack Obama urged Americans in a televised address not to associate terrorism with all Muslims. Obama warned extremism in some communities is "a real problem that Muslims must confront without excuse."

The men are planning to form a committee to work with law enforcement to ensure safety for local Muslims and the community as a whole.

While they have talked about forming such a committee in the past, "it is a need of the time," said Ahmed.

Irv: IWU Center Keys In on Social Justice

Professor Irving Epstein

The Illinois Wesleyan University Center for Human Rights and Social Justice was established three years ago in an effort to bring our college community together to do research, teaching, and advocacy work about human rights and social justice issues.

The Center itself serves as the home for a number of student curricular programs, has provided summer internships for students, and has sponsored talks and events by leading figures including philosopher Martha Nussbaum, producer Anthony Arnove, Pakistani journalist and activist Rafia Zakariah, director and academy award nominated screenwriter John Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi, and actor and author Jesse Eisenberg. During the fall, local activist and professor Mary Campbell gave an invited lecture about the history and operations ofthe Labryinth Outreaches to Women program and author/activist James Kilgore of the University of Illinois, spoke about his new book,  Winning the Battle Against Mass Incarceration.  

The Center also co-sponsored a teach-in focusing upon the Syrian refugee crisis.

Our students have interned with human rights organizations including the Constitutional Rights Foundation-Chicago, the Scholars at Risk Network in New York, and the Advocates for Human Rights organization in Minneapolis. On campus, we also house a Peace Fellows Program, a Scholars at Risk Advocacy seminar, and Undergraduate Workshops.

Participants in the Peace Fellows program take a few classes, pursue an internship either in the U.S. or overseas, and complete independent research project related to human rights issues. One of our Peace Fellows is currently investigating housing issues in the west side of Bloomington. Others have completed work examining various human rights concerns locally, nationally, and globally. Our Peace Fellows have also played an important role in participating and organizing panels for our Martin Luther King Day teach-in, an annual event at Illinois Wesleyan.

Students in our Scholars at Risk Advocacy seminar adopt the case of a scholar, student, or teacher who has been unfairly imprisoned for her/his views, research the case and examine national and international law violations along with the conditions of incarceration, and advocate for her/his release after presenting the file to national and international political and legal bodies such as the UN, State Department, Congressional offices, etc. They currently are monitoring the case of author Domingos Jose Joao de la Cruz, a scholar who is currently on trial in Angola for his advocacy of civil liberties and freedom of expression,

We also host an undergraduate human rights workshop where students and faculty together explore different dimensions of human rights issues in large and small groups, and an Undergraduate Human Rights Research Workshop, where we invite students from other liberal arts colleges to come and together share their ideas as they work to produce a finished paper or research project. The topic of this year’s research workshop, to be held on February 26-27 is “Inequality and Inequity.” 

As the Center continues to evolve, we hope to create a strong relationship with Not in Our Town and offer our support for its many important initiatives. For further information about the IWU Center for Human Rights and Social Justice, feel free to visit our webpage at http://www.iwu.edu/human-rights, on facebook at: Human Rights IWU or on twitter at: https://twitter.com/HumanRightsIWU.


NIOS Workshop To Focus on Safer Schools

In partnership with Regional Office of Education #17, Bloomington Normal Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal  (NIOTBN) will hold a Not In Our School (NIOS) workshop for local students on 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at the McLean County YWCA, 1201 North Hershey Road. Bloomington.

The mission of Not In Our Town is to stop hate, address bullying, and build safe, inclusive communities. NIOS is a natural outgrowth of this mission, working to create safe schools across our country.  NIOTBN is affiliated with this national organization, and its supporters pledge to help erase bigotry and bullying from their workplace, from their businesses, from their classrooms and campuses.  NIOTBN hopes to foster a more inclusive community for all.

Through the efforts of NIOTBN’s Education Committee, Not In Our School groups are being established at many local schools. Bloomington High School, Bloomington Junior High School, Normal West High School, and Normal Community High School are among those that have adopted NIOSinitiatives. NIOS student members embody the mission, vision, and values of Not In Our Town.  

The first local NIOS workshop will:

● Cultivate student leaders representing five local schools;

● Create collaborative alliances among students, schools, and administrations;

● Provide a forum for youth voices and concerns;

● Develop deeper understandings of barriers to safe and inclusive schools;

● Facilitate the identification of actions that will result in safer schools;

● Empower students to be leaders and change agents;

● Identify and provide access to tools and resources that support schools’ efforts; and

● Create a structure for sustainability of collaboration among schools.

The Regional Office of Education #17 is partnering with NIOS and assisting with this workshop. YWCA leadership,  ROE #17 staff,  local police chiefs, and superintendents, principals, and staff of participating schools are among those who will participate in this collaborative workshop.

Want to Help Stop Bigotry? Help NIOT:B/N

We can all agree that Not In Our Town is an important initiative in making Bloomington-Normal a better place. But nothing of value is without cost. We work on a shoestring, spending money only when absolutely necessary. But we do spend money from time to time.

Our latest effort begins tomorrow: We're running our Season4Reason billboards for the month of December. The message for this winter's anti-bigotry/anti-bullying campaign is the cumulative benefits of diversity for the Twin Cities.

Please, as this season begins, consider supporting our appeal at https://www.crowdrise.com/NotInOurTownBloomingtonNormal/fundraiser/marcmiller2

Alas, our appeal is not tax deductible. We save far more money by not having that status (and its associated accounting and compliance costs).

Donations Sought to Help Language School Students

Donations are now being accepted for the Cuca Avila Scholarship Fund which has been set up by Conexiones Latinas, Illinois Wesleyan University, and the Avila Family to help local students and families in need who want to attend Spanish Saturday School at the IWU Language School for Kids and cannot cover the financial cost. You can help a student learn or retain their Spanish by donating to Conexiones Latinas at the following levels:

Books: $30
Half Scholarship: $135
Full Scholarship: $300

If you want to help, visit http://www.ilprairiecf.org/conexiones-latinas-de-mclean-co…/ and donate directly through our fiscal agent Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (mark it as Conexiones Latinas Fund: Cuca Avila).

The IWU Language School for Kids offers Spanish classes for children Pre-K to sixth grade on Saturdays, January 16 through April 2, 2016. Classes are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Language Resource Center in Buck Memorial Library, 1111 N. East St., on the IWU campus.

Filling a void not provided by local schools, the Spanish Saturday School aims to promote early second language acquisition and retention by children who want to learn Spanish. Local children ages 4.5 to 12 have the opportunity to learn Spanish and gain knowledge of the rich cultural traditions of Spanish-speaking cultures in a university setting every week.

NAACP and Downtown Normal Announce Santa's Station Partnership

The Town of Normal, Uptown Partners, and the NAACP are proud to announce a new partnership this holiday season.  Each year, thousands of kids and families come to Santa's Station in Uptown Normal for a chance to meet the big man himself!  Visits to Santa's Station are free, but donations are accepted with proceeds benefiting local charities including Special Olympics.

Program coordinators noticed during the first several years of operation that the accessible location and low cost drew an extraordinarily diverse patronage.

"In operating Santa's Station for the past few years, we've seen all sorts of kids and families come out that we might not typically see at some of our events," says Uptown Manager Joe Tulley.

At the same time, The McLean County Museum of History honored Merlin Kennedy as a 2015 History Maker. Mr. Kennedy was at the center of a strong debate that raged in Bloomington Normal surrounding the racial identity of our favorite holiday icon, Santa Claus. In the late sixties, the NAACP attempted to enter a float featuring a black Santa Claus in the annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade and was barred from participating, prompting debate and protest from both sides of the issue.

The diverse nature of the Santa Station audience, combined with an awareness of community members' struggle to participate in holiday traditions, inspired the new partnership. On Saturday, December 12, from 12 to 4 p.m., and Friday, December 18, from 4 to 8 p.m., the NAACP will host Santa's Station featuring a diverse cast of volunteers in key roles.  The goal of the partnership is to create a fun experience while enhancing the effort to be more inclusive in our shared traditions.

"I am honored to be a part of such an inaugural event because this is truly history in the making," says Takesha Stokes, B-N NAACP 1st Vice President. "There is still much work to be done in the area of diversity and inclusion; however, this will move forward our efforts of breaking barriers and working to change the norm in Normal-Bloomington."

Santa's Station is open throughout the month of December, visit UptownNormal.com for Santa's Station hours and details.