In 1993, Billings experienced a series of violent conflict and hate crimes—from Swastikas painted on an Indian family’s home to a brick thrown through a Jewish family’s window. Community members reacted, taking a strong collective stance against racism, creating new leaders, and sparking a nationwide movement. What were each side of the conflict trying to communicate? How was communication key to making Billings a more welcoming place for all cultures and religions?

Secondary Sources

Not In Our Town (DVD)

Not In Our Town Website: http://www.pbs.org/niot/about/niot1.html#more

Choosing to Participate website, “Not in Our Town: The Choices One Community Made”: http://www.choosingtoparticipate.org/explore/exhibit/stories/niot/choices

“How One Town Said No to Hate,” by Jo Clare Hartsig and Walter Wink of Fellowship, posted on Being Jewish: http://www.beingjewish.org/magazine/winter2005/article4.html

“Menorahs in December: How the people of Billings, MT rejected religious hatred in 1993,” Religioustolerance.org: http://www.religioustolerance.org/menorah.htm

"Their Finest Minute : The People of Billings Faced Down One Wave of Hatred and Violence," Times Magazine (1994)

"West Students Find Surprises in Billings Hate Crimes History," Billings Gazette, March 14, 2004

Primary Sources

Billings Gazette, December 1993

Oral histories with participants

Vertical Files at the Montana Historical Society

 “Billings—Hate Crimes,” Vertical File, Montana Historical Society Research Center.