By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
It wasn’t that long ago when Bowling Green was faced with a decision – quietly ignore racist acts in the city, or face them head-on and declare those acts unwelcome in this community.
The community chose the latter. They formed a Not In Our Town movement dedicated to fighting hatred and discrimination.
They confronted racial graffiti that had been written on sidewalks, racist tweets that were made about university students, and a local man with ties to known hate groups who was arrested.
Rather than bury their heads to the ugly acts, city and university leaders came together to face the hatred and show it would not be tolerated in Bowling Green. The effort took off, engaging more than 12 community organizations and collecting nearly 50,000 pledges from students and community members who understand that hate hurts the entire city and campus.
“Out of something bad, came something good,” said BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey.
On Thursday, those people came together again – this time to celebrate their success and recommit to their cause. This gathering was much different than the early meetings of the fledgling organization. Those were days of doubt and skepticism that community and campus leaders were serious about taking on blatant and covert racist.
Now, nearly four years later, the celebration was festive, with cheers, cookies and congratulations. The event included statements read from students who helped start the movement – who are now out moving other communities to do the right thing.
One graduate wrote that Not In Our Town changed her life. “I continue to fight for inclusion and diversity to this day,” she wrote.
Amanda Dortch, president of the Undergraduate Student Government, said when she and other students graduate, they will take what they have learned with them. “To stand up against hate, against injustice,” she said. “That is what we learned here in Bowling Green. To make the world a better place.”
But despite the successes, Bowling Green Not In Our Town members are well aware their work is not over. They got a reminder of that earlier this month when a racial slur was painted on the “spirit rock” near Kreischer Quad on the BGSU campus.
Mayor Dick Edwards said Not In Our Town continues “stomping out hate in any, any form.” Despite the success of the organization – which includes national recognition for adding to the quality of life in Bowling Green – the mayor warned that the work must continue.
“We can’t rest on our laurels,” Edwards said.
The campus and community leaders of Not In Our Town, Leslie Galan and Rev. Gary Saunders, talked about the group’s efforts to confront discrimination and hatred at all levels. The group has organized panel discussions on Islamophobia, talks with local law enforcement about police violence seen nationally, annual interfaith breakfast gatherings, and a vigil for victims of the Orlando nightclub shootings.
“We have helped Bowling Green grieve,” Saunders said. “We have confronted local discrimination.”
Not In Our Town has become an oasis of safety and inclusion by showing intolerance for discrimination based on race, gender, gender identity, ability, religion, class and other factors. The group is a city and campus partnership “supported by both and controlled by neither,” Saunders said.
“It has emerged as a known effective community advocacy group,” Galan said.
“It’s a place of respect and safety for all. Where hatred and discrimination are found ‘not in our town,’” Saunders said.
