In response to hatred in Bloomington

Bloomington is a community that values diversity. It is a community that appreciates and absorbs the richness each of us has to offer one another.

We aim to stand together, united. We seek to thrive, not threaten.

Our beloved community respects the dignity of all of us and the equal rights that each of us enjoys.

This respect drives us to speak out when hating another is encouraged.

We all need to speak out to emphasize that such disrespect is not appreciated in our community. Not in our town, not on our campus, not anywhere.

Recently, a small group chalked their message of hatred on campus and in the community.

They also sponsored a protest at a local business. Bloomington United chooses to counter these actions with its own united voice of inclusion and diversity.

Bloomington United is a grassroots community group that is dedicated to responding to incidents of bias in our community.

We are composed of individuals and representatives of various city and campus organizations that believe in the importance of promoting and celebrating diversity, in respecting the value of each individual.

Bloomington strives to be a safe and civil community, and along with Indiana University, we value the free exchange of ideas, civil dialogue, expression and sharing of opinions and beliefs, including with members of this group.

We are a community of many voices that values free speech. And when words and actions hurt some individuals of our community, we exercise our right of free speech to express our opposition.

We are committed to standing together on the principles of inclusion, equality and mutual respect.

In the past, Bloomington United has printed posters that residents, students, businesses, schools and organizations could display to show their commitment to respect and diversity.

Now, these posters are available at www.facebook.com/pages/Bloomington-United/125534030950687.

Please consider visiting this site, printing up a poster and displaying it at your home,
apartment, worksite, classroom or place of worship.

We hope to print these posters professionally in the near future as well.
If you are interested in helping us to do that, please send a check made out to Bloomington United, to Hillel, 730 E. Third St., Bloomington, IN 47401.
Bloomington, united in diversity.

John Applegate
Paul T. Ash
Doug Bauder
Beverly Calender-Anderson
Melanie Castillo-Cullather
Paul Eisenberg
David Garshaw
Steve Howard
Linda Johnson
David Koppel
Mayor Mark Kruzan
Barbara E. McKinney
Darrell Stone
Charlotte Zietlow