"Why Baraboo Acts: Building an Inclusive Future Together"
by Marcy Huffaker
I was shocked and horrified in the fall of 2019, when a photograph of senior high school boys appearing to give the Nazi salute went viral.
In the years just prior to this there had been a growing number of violent white nationalist rallies with a lot of hate speech directed at Jewish people and people of color. As one of a few Jewish families in Baraboo, with twins just starting their freshman year of high school, it was unsettling and scary to think that Baraboo could be part of this.
My husband Buddy and I wanted to help organize something that could not only help others realize that such actions are scary and hurtful but to help start the healing process for the community. We began by calling the mayor and the next thing we knew, there were about 20 community members meeting every week to talk about what could be done. In that first month after the photo went viral, this group planned three events titled…Baraboo Gathers, Baraboo Talks, and Baraboo Acts.
The funny thing is, at that time I had just signed up to take a public speaking class. But I had to drop out because I was spending too much time speaking at community events! I spoke to reporters, I spoke to the City Council, I spoke during the Baraboo Gathers event at the high school, and my husband and I wrote an op-ed that was published in our local paper.
A lot of people thanked me for speaking up, and at the same time, after sharing my story, so many other community members shared their stories of negative experiences in this community with me, which was eye-opening. I am not particularly comfortable putting myself out there as a community speaker and I prefer to be in the background. But, I remember thinking I had two options — I could say something or I could stay quiet. While putting myself out there was not easy, I believed, if I didn’t do or say anything, I couldn’t continue living here.
Who We Are
The Baraboo Acts Coalition, a diverse group of community members, of which I am a co-chair, was formed to continue to tackle these issues through education and awareness, fostering partnerships, and creating connections to resources and services. Most importantly, we aim to be a group that acts, and not a group that only talks.
Why This Work Matters Now
As the divisions and cracks in our country, our communities, and our families keep growing wider and wider, the Baraboo Acts Coalition creates spaces, both virtual and physical where people can come together to see our differences as strengths, to learn more about each other, and to celebrate that which makes us unique and special.
Our vision for Change is that the Greater Baraboo area will be known as an open and affirming place where everyone thrives.
Of course, it is easy to state that success looks like diverse leadership, community trust, and equitable access. And we are always striving to achieve those things. But I also find that success can be seen in the small, unexpected moments that come from years of building relationships in a community. Here are a few examples of what this looks like when we create spaces where everyone can thrive.
Facilitating a board meeting where the owner of a local Mexican Grocery Store shared her fears about ICE and deportations within the Latin American community with the Mayor, and then the Mayor shared his fears regarding federal funding being tied to ICE in rural towns. Admittedly, this does not seem like a situation where all is thriving. But the ability to have honest communication with each other is a first step to finding solutions that benefit all of us.
Attending the first annual Juneteenth event in Baraboo where I spotted community members from different political parties enjoying the music together.
Participating in a planning meeting, where those who attended the last Baraboo Reads event are still talking about the delicious, meal that a local Indigenous chef shared with us, six months later.
How You Can Join Us
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