A few days ago I received this mailing. My first thoughts were complete outrage. As someone who has been active in the community for many years, this is certainly not an image I believe represents the city I know and love. I quickly discovered that I wasn't alone in being offended by this depiction of our city.
From this feeling of outrage over people attacking our city and our residents who have worked so hard and given so much, Citizens for Progress was born.
If you feel that same sense of outrage, please join us. Come together with other citizens who want to work together to resist efforts to create a negative image of South Bend .
We want to find ways to celebrate and promote South Bend--through HOPE not fear. Don't let fear dominate our city!
Join us for the first meeting of a new optimistic grassroots movement! Citizens for Progress through Hope not fear. We need you!!
Thursday, October 18th
7:00 PM
First Unitarian Church
101 East North Shore Dr South Bend IN 46617
6 comments:
This group is a great idea. I'm so tired of people being negative. Our whole country is divided. Our whole town is divided. We live in a good place. We should celebrate that and work together to make it even better!
So what exactly is the point of this group? I love my town of SB, but the fact remains that we have problems. Look up the crime statistics yourselves. Crime in our city is almost double the national average in every category. And the crime rate in our town is higher than most cities of the same size in the U.S.. How does this group plan on changing these facts? By waving to strangers on the street? How is being positive going to better our situation? It seems a little like putting a new coat of paint on a rusty car. The problem is still there no matter how hard you pretend its not.
I don't think this group should pretend there are no problems. There are problems. But we, as citizens, should be part of the solution.
As Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead also said:
"I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings." Let's tutor, or paint, or plant, or donate or do whatever it takes to make our city great! To me, that's the spirit!
Silence,
I don't think anyone believes that South Bend has no problems. Every city has problems. What we want to do is focus on positive action to bring about positive change.
We're not trying to "paint a rusty car" but more to appreciate the beauty and to work on the problem areas through restorative work.
I like the idea behind this group. I did not take as great offense to the mail piece from the state Republican party because I recognize it and accept it for what it is - political rhetoric - nothing more, nothing less.
How about this group looking at how to bring back the Ethnic festival with its original focus on foods and crafts? Just an idea. I always thought SB was a very diverse community and that we should continue to celebrate our diversity as much as possible. Whoever is mayor after Nov. 6 should reconsider bringing it back.
Post a Comment