EDITORIAL: Celebrate diversity in Valpo

Valparaiso is not alone in suffering from continuing bias-motivated incidents like vandalism, harassment and threats. The city deserves commendation, however, for recognizing the problem and responding to it.

This Sunday, Valparaiso clergy and other faith leaders will gather at 3 p.m. the courthouse square to declare their unity against racism.

They will publicly sign a statement that reads, "We affirm that racism is sin. As Valparaiso communities of faith we agree to stand together against it."

Other interested people are welcome to sign this statement. It is an important, if symbolic, act.

The Valparaiso Diversity Network Association, which is comprised of community and business leaders, is holding this event as one of its first public acts against racism.

Valparaiso University and the city are planning a diversity summit to discuss ways to promote diversity and improve race relations. That announcement last month came after a series of fights at Valparaiso High School that appeared to be related to race.

What's notable about Valparaiso's effort to address racism is that the effort is growing. More and more groups are taking up this banner.

"The major accomplishment of the group has been the expansion of the number of people in groups that have been willing to lend their names to it," Valparaiso University professor Al Trost said recently. "The purpose was to be a witness to the community that these people stood against racism. Now we have many people who attend meetings and are associated with it."

At Calumet College of St. Joseph's commencement last weekend, 1979 graduate Carmen Lomellin praised Northwest Indiana for its "racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity."

Lomellin is U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States.

"Think and act globally," she told the graduates. "Bring the ideas and values you learned at Calumet College to the world."

That advice also applies to changing Valparaiso. It's good to see so much effort being applied to improve the city.

Recent bias-motivated incidents in Valparaiso demand a strong community response, including participation in Sunday's rally and other events meant to show support for diversity and disgust with intolerance.

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