Noblesville Deputy Mayor
Last week Noblesville Schools offered several opportunities for community members to engage in discussions on several important issues we are all grappling with in our city, from school safety and security to children and technology – as well as one topic in particular that I was proud to be part of. The Diversity Forum held on March 22 was the first in a public education series centered on the power of diversity and inclusion.
About 150 attendees were on hand in the Noblesville High School auditorium to hear from a dozen students and parents who came to share stories from their perspectives in an effort to create greater awareness about our existing diversity, but also to shine a light on some uncomfortable truths that must be addressed.
This effort was launched by Superintendent Beth Niedermeyer who assembled a committee of representatives from Noblesville Schools, the City of Noblesville and Noblesville Chamber as well as local businesses, churches and concerned residents. As Dr. Niedermeyer reported in her opening remarks, after just two meetings, the Community Diversity Committee has already developed a mission and vision with plans for its first two events.
Our community doesn’t often have these types of conversations in such a public forum – probably because we’re afraid of saying the “wrong thing” or something offensive. However, despite how uncomfortable the topic may be for some, the problems of discrimination and intolerance cannot be overcome by silence – it requires a willingness to share and a willingness to listen.
For me, after hearing each student and parent’s story, I felt a mixture of emotions. It’s troubling to hear about incidents of racism and bigotry right here in our backyard. But the actions of one or two individuals do not define who we are as a city. We have to come together as a community to respond to such ugliness.
But I also came away with an even greater sense of pride in Noblesville.
Watching the stage and listening to students from Noblesville Schools, our community is well represented by individuals who come from far away countries, speak a variety of different languages and have made courageous decisions. Some have endured insults that no one should hear – that might have made them think twice about where they live. But they have chosen Noblesville and we are a better community for it.
In preparing for the event, my research also shined a light on some of the positive aspects of Noblesville’s political past. I’m proud of the fact that Noblesville first elected a female mayor in 1980, one of the first cities in Hamilton County to do so. Mayor Pat Logan served two terms in Noblesville before Mary Sue Rowland was elected mayor in 1988. Twenty years earlier, voters in 1968 elected C. Murphy White, a prominent community leader and African American, to our City Council where he served for 24 years.
While we should confront the truth about our past – including the parts we’re not proud of – we also can celebrate where we stand today, a community that respects all individuals and celebrates diversity, while working to make even greater strides towards the progress we still hope to achieve.
As I said in my closing remarks, I want to thank everyone who took the time from their busy schedules to attend the event, and especially the panelists who shared their stories and helped us all have a greater understanding of the perspectives they bring.
And this Diversity Forum was only the beginning. Thursday, April 26 marks the next event in the series, to be held at 7 p.m. in Noblesville City Hall. A professional facilitator will be on hand to lead a session about stereotypes and implicit bias. I hope to see you there and I look forward to being part of the learning process that is making Noblesville an even better community than it is today.