Flossmoor's 'State Of Hate' Talk Marks Opening Of Diversity Plan

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Dozens of Flossmoor residents turned up at the village hall Wednesday night to participate in a public Anti-Defamation League "State of Hate" presentation, the latest move in the area as it recovers from several high-profile racist incidents in the spring.

The presentation, led by ADL educator Lara Trubowitz, offered an assessment of hate-motivated activities in the midwest, small-group discussions and training for residents looking to build an inclusive community.

It was intended to be a kick-off to larger diversity and inclusion efforts in Flossmoor, said Village Manager Bridget Wachtel.

"This is not a one-and-done conversation," she said. Village officials will be using information gleaned from the discussion to take steps to do that as laid out in the village's strategic plan.

In the spring, the community was shaken by a viral video of Homewood-Flossmoor High School students wearing blackface that prompted classmates to stage a walkout at the school. The discussion also is part of efforts to heal from that incident, a village spokeswoman said.

FBI statistics show that hate crimes nationwide increased 17 percent between 2016 and 2017. According to Trubowitz, that's the highest single increase. The Midwest was not immune, she said, and saw even higher increases over time. Colleges and universities are seeing steep increases in white supremacist literature found on campuses, she added. And white supremacists were reaching out to youth at libraries and after-school events to recruit earlier and younger than ever before.

The ADL, she said, offered heat maps to track extremist and anti-Semitic incidents around the nation, and offers a glossary of white supremacist symbols to educate the public about how to spot them in public and in literature.

Trubowitz also offered tips about handling incidents motivated by bias and how to handle situations when individuals are accused of being biased themselves. They include thinking before acting, considering options before intervention, responding with respect and not dismissing the accusation. It was not clear whether those handouts would be available for community members who were not able to attend the discussion.

Lottie Parker, a 15-year resident of Flossmoor, said she came to the discussion to see what was going on nationally as well as locally. Flossmoor, she said, is an inclusive community. However, she said, she is curious to see which steps the village takes next.

"I would like to see something like this for our kids," she said.