Column is insensitive, insults local residents

I am a former "townie" of Bloomington, I grew up in the suburbs on the southeast side away from campus. For the 20 years that I lived in Bloomington, I never once found that the majority of the city was any one group of people. I found that Bloomington is many groups of people all cooperating and living in the same area. It is a very unique sight and I have always been proud to come from such a diverse background. \nI am a graduate of a Bloomington elementary, middle and high school. I have worked at various places throughout Bloomington, as I was growing up and have seen and met many different people. Bloomington is such a quiet town during the months that the students are gone; everyone here is extremely patient when the students return, especially while driving, since 3/4 of the students have no idea where they are going. \nWhen I read the "b-ware" column, I was appalled to learn that the students have such an opinion of the people of Bloomington. Such stereotypes are not needed in such a diverse town and they are not welcome. \nI recall when I was in middle school, and everyone had signs in from of their suburban homes with big letters saying, "NO HATE". To think that we, the people of Bloomington, would be stereotyped as "southern Indiana people" is a tragedy. We are nothing but kind and patient and reserved when it comes to the students and we sit back and let them have our town. We love it when they are gone but we are at least patient while they are here. \nI cannot believe that such thoughts are even formed by anyone of the student body. The next time that you enter our town you should remember who was here first and whose taxes pay for your school. I wish that the IDS would have more common sense than they had when printing the column. By printing it, you are flipping "the bird" to every citizen of Bloomington and I do not think that is a very appropriate thing to do to the people who welcome you and encourage you to become better people so that you might find your place in life.