Bloomington United: We Are Stronger Than Hate

Some people are saying that they just cannot understand why it is anyone’s business if there are vendors at the Farmers Market who are active neo-Nazis.

But sometimes what seems like nothing — isn’t nothing at all. 

Beth Shalom was burned by neo-Nazis with firebombs in 1983. 

Won-Joon Yoon was murdered by neo-Nazi Benjamin Smith on Third Street in 1999. All Smith did at first, in 1998, was pass out ugly fliers. None of us took him seriously then.

Nolan Brewer took firebombs with him when he vandalized the Carmel synagogue. He chickened out when he saw security cameras and only used paint to make swastikas. He is serving 3 years in federal prison. In the FBI interview which was part of the court documents, he talked about how he met “Sarah and Doug” from Brown County for dinner in Martinsville and they encouraged him in his right-wing activities.

Sarah Dye (her husband is Doug) of Schooner Creek Farm in Brown County, the Farmers Market vendors in question, allegedly got on the neo-Nazi section of the Discord chat site as “Volkmom” and among other messages, congratulated the organizers of Charlottesville — after protester Heather Heyer was killed when a neo-Nazi drove his car into a crowd of people. 

We know that what seems innocuous at first can transform into something dangerous. We have seen it.

Mayor Hamilton was responsible and right to put a hold on the market. One shove, one scream from either side could have resulted in instant escalation and tragedy.

I don’t have any answers. I am afraid of possible violence, and yet, as a Jew, I can’t help wondering what might have happened in Germany and Austria and Poland if strong voices in opposition had existed. Instead, as shown so vividly in the movie Woman in Gold, set in Vienna, people either collaborated or pretended they didn’t see as violent and ugly actions increased.

The only action I can take right now is to keep speaking out in a positive way. To not ignore. To not be afraid.

Bloomington United has been a powerful force for supporting each other and for being the strong, focused voice of tolerance, diversity and love. Now, we as a community in Bloomington and in surrounding southern Indiana counties need that more than ever.

Look for forthcoming information on a Bloomington United evening of solidarity Aug. 27, when you can get your No hate” sign. 

Bloomington United: We Are Stronger Than Hate.