For me, the magic of the National Leadership Gathering was convening some of the most groundbreaking, influential and inspirational leaders in the same room. From mayors and police chiefs to community activists and educators, the room was full of over 200 people committed to making our towns and schools safe for our children and our neighbors.
Blog
July 3, 2014 - 3:06pm
Video: Bringing Cyberbullying to Life
In “Real Life Yik Yak,” students at Glenbrook South High School take a stand against cyberbullying, according to a short video posted by a Sun-Times Media Local network.
The video shows students chained to the stairwell at Glenbrook South while wearing signs with cruel phrases around their necks. This demonstration depicts the dangers of anonymity and the threat of cyberbullying when students don’t feel accountable for their actions online. The students chose to focus on the popular app Yik Yak because it allows users to post anonymously about other people.
June 30, 2014 - 4:15pm
When showing Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness to your Sunday School class or church group, take advantage of this great resource to spark discussion and highlight important themes from the film. The guide features activities, questions, and readings that relate to the film, with three different sets so you can tailor your lesson to either children, youth, or adults.
Not In Our Town: Light In The Darkness follows a community in crisis after the fatal attack of a local immigrant resident. Stunned by the violence, diverse community stakeholders openly confront the crime and the divisive atmosphere, and commit to ongoing actions to prevent future hate crimes and intolerance.
June 26, 2014 - 12:12pm
University of North Dakota students protest offensive T-shirts
American Indian students at the University of North Dakota came together in mid-May to protest offensive T-shirts worn by their peers, according to the Native Sun News.
Students photographed themselves wearing T-shirts that depict an American Indian drinking from a beer bong with the words “Siouxper Drunk” emblazoned on the front. The “Fighting Sioux” logo was retired in 2012 due to impending NCAA sanctions over its controversial depiction of American Indian, according to ESPN.
“The ‘drunken Indian’ caricature is one of the worst stereotypes about Native people that there is,” said Ruth Hopkins, a writer for LastRealIndians.com.
June 18, 2014 - 2:33pm
Our goal is for Bloomington/Normal to revisit and revitalize the efforts started so many years ago by folks like Barb Adkins, Mike Matejka, Marc and Darlene Miller, Rev. McSwain, and Charles and Willie Halbert. It’s interesting to note that our community didn’t experience litigation or smear tactics when an Islamic Center was built here in Bloomington. I would like to think the efforts of our local NIOT movement made a difference.