[T]he media headlines published “angry protestors” and “free speech” as the main focus. We were not angry, just full of conviction, and freedom of speech was never the issue. The issue was and always has been to make Bloomington/Normal a community where all people can live without fear of being stereotyped, discriminated against, or feel prejudice.

—Camille Taylor, Not In Our Town Bloomington

[1]
Source: WJBC [1]

Camille Taylor, a member of Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal, writes about her group's recent effort to combat stereotypes in the community [2]. Last week, Camille's group held a demonstration in response to an offensive sign displayed outside a local business. The goal of the demonstration was to foster a community where everyone can live "without fear of being stereotyped, discriminated against, or feel prejudice." 

In her monthly op-ed on WJBC, Camille Taylor writes:

Last week I also spoke to about 25 young people at the McLean County Diversity Project Scholars’ Retreat at East Bay Camp. I shared the history and vision of Not In Our Town as well as why stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice hurt people. These young people gave me hope, because they wanted to understand and to learn. We had a good exchange of ideas and several hope to get involved with efforts to make their schools more inclusive and safer from bullying next year.

After talking to the scholars of the McLean County Diversity Project I would say our community’s future is in good hands, because these young people share that vision of hope.

Read Camille's full op-ed at WJBC Forum [1].