By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bundled in heavy coats and gloves, nearly 50 people walked from the Wooster Green to the BGSU campus on Wednesday to promote peace here in Bowling Green and around the world.
The fourth annual Peace March, organized by Not In OurTown Bowling Green, brought together people to stand up to injustice of all kinds.
Sana Ali, representing BGSU undergraduate student government, thanked the walkers gathered around the Wooster Green gazebo.
“You guys are the superheroes in this town” – demanding equity in Bowling Green, Ali said. “You guys are the people who are going to make a change.”
Mayor Dick Edwards noted this is the sixth anniversary of the creation of Not In Our Town in Bowling Green. It was originally formed in response to racist tweets from white college students about black college students at a local bar.
“We need to renew the commitment to stamp out hate of any kind,” Edwards said. “We must continue to work together, to walk together, and to stand together to stamp out social injustice. There is always work to be done.”
The mayor mentioned recent troubling incidents, including the racist attack on two teenagers at the Waffle House in Bowling Green this past spring, and the nastiness leading up to the loss of the school levy on Tuesday.
Bowling Green City Schools Superintendent Francis Scruci was still raw from the levy loss the day before, but quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scruci spoke of the hate and ignorance seen around the world – fueled by differences in race, religion, and political views.
“Yet when we go to a playground, we see children enjoying each other,” regardless of their differences, Scruci said.
“Our city schools are going through a very divisive time,” he said. “The healing has to start today.”
Beatriz Maya, of the La Conexion organization, talked about the economic and social disparity in the world.
“We need to work for justice. The work for social justice is critical,” Maya said.
La Conexion continues to work on immigrant rights and on making Bowling Green a welcoming community. She also mentioned the racist attack at Waffle House and said bystander intervention training is planned for the public on Dec. 4, at 6 p.m., at the Wood County District Public Library.
Mike Stanford, president of People First of Wood County, spoke of the need for people with developmental disabilities to be viewed for their abilities.
“We want our community to move forward together,” said Stanford, who is a Special Olympics athlete and administrative assistant at the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“We openly accept people with disabilities for what they have to offer,” he said. “We have a lot to offer to you. We are honored to be part of the peace movement in Bowling Green.”
BGSU President Rodney Rogers spoke to the walkers at Wooster Green, before they started their trek across town.
“I thank each of you for being leaders here in this community,” he said.
The annual peace march provides a good reminder of why the fight continues for inclusion and acceptance of diversity.
“Each of us has the right to belong,” Rogers said.
Jennifer McCrary, the chief diversity and belonging officer at BGSU, said the university is fortunate to have a strong partnership with the city to help create a welcoming community.
“Not In Our Town is not just a slogan. It’s a call to action,” McCrary said.
Dawn Shinew, the campus co-chairman of Not In Our Town,reminded those at the march that the fight continues beyond Wednesday’s march.
“This is not about one afternoon,” Shinew said. “It’s about thinking about who we are every day.”
Emily Dunipace, the community co-chairman of Not In Our Town, shared that sentiment.
“We have work to do. We all agree with that,” Dunipace said. “Each of us here has a chance to extend that peace.”
