What Dayton says about Dayton
Dayton does not let other people define Dayton.
Kicking, screaming and displaying images of love over hate, the city will likely be thrust into the national spotlight, thanks to a planned rally by a group affiliated with the KKK today near a statue celebrating Abraham Lincoln, the president who led the nation through its Civil War over slavery and states’ rights. One thing has been abundantly clear since the rally was announced: Daytonians, most Daytonians that is, are dead-set against letting the rally tell the city’s story.
With that in mind, I asked local residents to share what they want the world to know about the Gem City.
Here is a sample of responses.
“That we are an immigrant-friendly city, LGBT friendly, small-town feel with big city opportunity and attractions, help your neighbor when they need you kind of place!
I think it’s also important to note that most of Dayton isn’t pleased with the rally and does not welcome the KKK here. While we understand free speech, their hate message is not one that is on trend with our city.” — Lauren Laengle Williams
“We are a good city of neighborhoods, friendly, peaceful, and resilient.” — Darryl “Ms. Demure” Bohannon
“We are a city of volunteers. People step up to help.” — Marshall Weiss
“This city is full of love
Smart Mouth
and hate has no place.” — Joni Magnus-Ramsey
“Diverse, Progressive, creative, Midwest Tech capital, affordable, educated, health oriented aka The Land of Funk.” — Christopher Joseph
“That Dayton’s been recognized as welcoming to many immigrant communities, we have amazing art and food and sport, we have a top tier library system, and great universities. We have our problems — economic upheaval and the opioid crisis — and certainly there are racists among us, but mainly, we’re decent folks.”— Sharon Short
“Dayton not only has been previously listed as the “gayest city in America” per capita. We are also home to one of the top 50 gay bars in the world, Masque Nightclub.”— Kar Kar O’Daniels
“By the time our Dayton Jewish children are in high school, our community offers a wonderful program to teach our kids, among other topics, how to respond intelligently and peacefully to anti-Semitism.” — Pamela Spetter Schwartz
“We drink. We create art. We love.” — Jim Ingram
“Dayton is a big city with a great sense of small-town community.” — Jacob Sams
“Air Force Museum, DAI, Front Street artists, Fifth Street restaurants and bars.” — Jane Lynch
“That our inner city government has balanced, multiracial leadership and progressive policies that welcome everyone. — Kate Ervin
“Dayton is more than the famous Wright Brothers.” — Becky Zeh Rowley
“We are a body of intelligent and open minded citizens.” — Nancy Tullis Thickel Contact this reporter at 937225-2384 or email Amelia. Robinson@coxinc.com.