YWCA McLean County makes stand against racism

Posted on April 28, 2016
Stand Against Racism poster
Thursday’s event was one of many like it around the nation. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – A group of adults and young women took a Stand Against Racism at the YWCA McLean County Thursday afternoon.

Prevention Educator for Stepping Stones Luisa Gomez says the movement is aimed at empowering young girls of color through methods such as positive self talk.

“Positive self talk is a great way to empower young girls,” said Gomez. “Letting them know that there is no doors that are closed to them; that they can do anything that they want to do, they can be anything that they want to be.”

Thursday was particularly aimed at girls between ages 4 and 11.

“They get put in a box and when they get put in a box, it happens at a young age. You look around and you don’t look like somebody that’s on TV,” said Gomez. “And they’re seeing that, so no matter what we’re talking about in our home, what they outside of home is definitely going to influence them.”

Between Thursday and Sunday, an anticipated 750 Stand Against Racism events will take place across the country.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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