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00000178-3092-da2f-a5fe-fbbf0c520000Reactions to the 2016 ElectionNPR and GLT are here for you as we all react to this historic election. Trust Morning Edition, On Point with Tom Ashbrook, Here & Now and All Things Considered for in depth reporting and thoughtful analysis of the national races and international reactions. Count on GLT and IPR for comprehensive coverage of events here in central Illinois.

Trump Presidency May Present Opportunity For Anti-Hate Groups

Staff
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WGLT

Based on the number of people who didn't vote for President,  three community leaders representing people targeted by President-elect Trump are optimistic about a path toward healing divisions created by the campaign. 

"This has happened throughout history. When an election produces a result people are not happy with we realize a lot of the activism has to begin at the grassroots level and that we have to get involved and  we can't wait for government to do the right thing," said David Bentlin, President of the Prairie Pride Coalition Board. "We have to be part of the solution and I think people are finding that out as a result of this election. 

According to the group's website, the Prairie Pride Coalition is dedicated to the implementation of full civil rights protections for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. Bentlin joined GLT's Mike McCurdy during Sound Ideas, along with Sheheryar Muftee, a leader in the Islamic community and YWCA of McLean County CEO Dontae Latson. The YWCA works to empower women and eliminate racism. Latson thinks a backlash to the harsh rhetoric used during the campaign could be used to bring more people into politics.

"It's important to us who live and breath this stuff everyday to galvanize people to make a change," said Latson. "I think one thing that's been absent from our movement in general is strategy. We have to do more than express our anger. We're going to have to come up with real strategic moves."

Strategies could include recruiting and training political candidates. Latson says education will be important, too. 

"We're in a place in our society where it's frowned upon to have honest dialog with each other," said Latson. "That's one thing we intend to change at the YWCA is to be able to talk about these issues. We live in a community that's pretty comfortable. As I like to say, we walk around with our eyes wide shut. We fail to see the things that don't impact us and only impact others. If we are to be upstanding citizens, we should care for everyone. Midwest nice or Bloomington-Normal nice has to extend beyond an exchange of pleasantries."

While softening his views recently, during the campaign President-elect Trump called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country, called Mexicans rapists and drug dealers, claimed a federal judge was biased because he was "Mexican," (the judge was born in Indiana), and led the so-called "birther" movement, questioning the nation's first African-American president's citizenship and legitimacy. 

Trump has also pledged to reverse President Obama's executive orders protecting LGBTQ  people from federal discrimination. Statements seeming to indicate Trump thinks gay marriage has been settled gives Prairie Pride's David Bentlin little comfort. 

"On the campaign trial he said that he didn't agree with the Supreme Court decision and wishes the decision had been made at the state instead of at the federal level," said Bentlin. "I think there's cause for concern because he has the ability to appoint a supreme court justice who could really turn the tables on marriage equality and other rights that we currently do have."

Muftee, who spoke as an individual member of the Muslim community.  He said the two mosques in Bloomington-Normal are reluctant to become involved in poltics. He says that presents an opportunity to start an independent Islamic advocacy group, which he says he's considering. 

The YWCA is holding its Humanity Summit Thursday at Illinois Wesleyan University, scheduled before the election. Latson says the summit from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Memorial Student center is open to everyone. He hopes the summit is space for the community to deal with questions of cultural and systemic oppression and develop allies in the struggle for justice.  

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