Divisive language hinders public debate

People sing a familiar refrain when fighting development around the suburbs. Traffic. Noise. Parking problems. Property values.

These affect how we live, quality of life and our biggest investment. Residents must stay informed and raise objections. You are a crucial part of the process. Last week, however, we heard things that made us uncomfortable.

In Lombard, an Islamic school wants to build a 61,000-square-foot expansion and add 300 students. Neighbors raised valid concerns about traffic, noise, parking and, ultimately, property values. Two public hearings on College Preparatory School of America's plans led to changes village officials believe will address the issues.

A petition passed around the neighborhood collected signatures of those who were not convinced, many who spoke at Thursday's village board meeting where it gained approval.

While many comments related to the relevant logistics and impact of the project, many did not.

One speaker at the public hearing responded to the school's excellent academic record with, "well, my children are doing a lot, too, and will for this country." Another told the village board, "At whose expense is the compromise going to be? It's going to be at ours."

And, in a speech met with applause from Thursday's audience, petition-passer Daniel Smothers accused the board of political correctness and said, "You're going to allow the needs of the minority to supersede the will of the majority. I would call that racism."

No, Mr. Smothers. That is not racist or discriminatory at all. Allowing the whim of the majority to interfere with the rights of the minority would have been discriminatory.

The village looked at the use of the land and the laws on the books. It worked with a local institution to expand its roots in the community. We applaud the village board for looking at it objectively and addressing valid concerns.

In Des Plaines, where a mosque wants to add two parking lots to keep cars off neighborhood streets, the discussion related to use of the land and impact on residents. We understand why residents would ask questions about the plan to add 83 parking spaces. It could drive even more traffic to the facility.

There's no question that schools and churches and businesses impact residential neighborhoods. We encourage you to stay connected, get involved and voice your opinion.

There's also no disputing the changes communities face as the suburbs become home to more people who represent a greater variety of faiths and ethnicities. The fight in Lombard isn't the first of its kind. And it most likely won't be its last.

But it is time to face these changes in a constructive manner. Do we want to live in communities that are divided and mistrustful? Or do we want our communities to be harmonious and tolerant? Those are the choices before us.

Divisive language that speaks of the majority vs. the minority will not make us stronger.