Building trust and community

In central Illinois I like to think we pride ourselves on being a community rooted in hard work, common sense and goodwill to our neighbors. Yet, lately, it seems our shared values have been shaken by the winds of fear and misinformation. This past month, a rumor swept through town like wildfire: “Venezuelan street gangs are breaking into and stealing cars while staying at a local hotel.” It had the kind of dramatic flair that grabs attention and, unfortunately, too many people’s trust. But here’s the truth. Local law enforcement and journalists debunked this story as false.

It’s not the first time we’ve fallen for such sensational rumors. Back in 2020, there were “busloads of Antifa” coming to invade our towns, always shared by a “reliable source.” I guess they missed their exit? While unverified rumors run amok, they can sometimes outshine the very serious instances of hate happening nationwide. From pathetic, proud white supremacists marching in Ohio to verified reports of racist text messages sent en masse targeting Black Americans with vile references to chattel slavery. What do all of these stories have in common? They aim to divide us, stoke fear and erode the trust that binds our communities.

Let’s take a step back. Why are we so quick to believe – and even quicker to share – without much reflection? Often, it’s because we want to feel part of the vanguard, “in the know” or possess some special insight others lack. Coupled with a desire to protect what we hold dear, this urgency can overshadow one of our greatest tools: critical thinking.

It’s important to ask ourselves who benefits when we’re afraid of one another? Who gains when our neighbors – whether immigrants, refugees, or longstanding residents – are seen as threats rather than allies? Fear is a powerful tool, often wielded by those who seek to distract us from real issues such as the lack of affordable housing, stagnant wages, the rising cost of living, little opportunity for our youth and a system that too often pits the working class against itself.

Consider this. The families coming to our community from Venezuela or elsewhere aren’t so different from our own ancestors. Whether your family came from Ireland, Italy, Mexico or Mississippi, they likely arrived here seeking the same things: safety, opportunity and a chance to build a better life. These newcomers aren’t statistics or stereotypes; they’re people. They are parents tucking their children into bed, they are line cooks putting in long hours and they’re neighbors who, like you and I, want to feel a sense of belonging.

We each have far more in common with any immigrant than we do with any billionaire or corporate ghoul whose vested interest lies in dividing, distracting and serving the bottom line of shareholders. These interests often keep us looking left and right and demonizing people we don’t understand as enemies in some sort of distraction led culture war.

Some guiding principles I believe to be true: We all want a place to call home, a sense of belonging and a chance to leave the world a little better than when we found it. When we let rumors and racism cloud our judgment, we lose sight of that shared humanity. Worse, we risk becoming pawns in a game designed to keep us divided and distracted.

So how do we respond? First, let’s pause. Take a breath when we hear something outrageous or inflammatory. Ask questions. Who said this? What’s the evidence? If it sounds too convenient or sensational, it’s worth digging deeper before believing it – and certainly before spreading it.

Second, let’s make an effort to get to know our neighbors. Attend community events, introduce yourself to folks you see on your daily commute and have conversations with people who don’t look, sound or pray like you. It’s hard to fear someone once you’ve shared a meal or a laugh with them.

Midwest son Mark Twain put it best when he said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Travel anytime you can, especially when it includes people and places you are unfamiliar with.

Finally, let’s hold fast to the idea that our strength lies in our unity. This isn’t just about dispelling rumors, it’s about what kind of town we want to be. Are we a community that listens to fear, or one that leans into understanding? Do we build walls between neighbors, or do we open our doors to lend a hand? The answer lies in the small, everyday choices we make – choosing to vet things before sharing, to meet others with kindness instead of suspicion, and to value truth over convenience.

Nick Dodson is a board member of the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network.

This article appears in Project censored 2024.