Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths. We have served as a home for people of every race, culture and creed in pursuit of the American Dream. However, that American Dream has not been equally accessible to all Leonians.

I grew up in Leonia, where I never felt threatened by, but instead embraced all of my neighbors regardless of their race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. My ACS and LHS friendships showed me how people might appear different and have other cultural practices, but I quickly realized what we had in common outweighed any first glance dissimilarities. And even more importantly, I realized both as a child and later as a career professional that these differences of thought and perspective strengthened outcomes in ways that would be impossible without diversity.

I believe the true measure of a community lies in how it treats people from diverse backgrounds. When you experience kindness in a small town like Leonia, it feels right – like a security blanket. You know this is where you belong. Early in my Council experience, the Mayor and Council took up the issue of a Sanctuary City resolution. There was tremendous community alignment on this topic and I’m so pleased to say the clear majority, including our borough’s religious leaders, were firmly in support of ensuring equity and fair treatment of non-citizens in Leonia. I believe the measure we unanimously passed as a Mayor and Council, with three amendments from myself, helped ensure equitable treatment and non-harassment of our immigrant community. It embraced people who are here to pursue their own American Dream.

In the 1940s, Lesser’s Drugs (on Broad Avenue) refused to serve Black children at its soda fountain. When Leonians learned of this, they staged a peaceful and successful protest sending a clear message that Lesser’s didn’t deserve any of Leonia’s business if it was going to discriminate.

When any small town withholds its sense of community or acceptance, we deprive all our residents of the advantages that diversity can offer. Perhaps identifying polarization within another community comes more easily, but it remains crucial to turn a critical eye on your own community, especially if you aren't consistently exemplifying an improved approach locally. I believe most Leonians intuitively know the benefits of diversity. However, it's also a cause that demands constant attention to ensure our advancement remains unhindered.

I proudly support and will continue to support diversity and inclusion initiatives including the Muslim Cultural Recognition ceremony held in front of Borough Hall at the start of Ramadan this past year. I personally hope this becomes an annual event. I absolutely support the placement of Pride Flags on Broad Avenue as a show of support for our LGBTQ community.

It is hard work to evolve beyond age-old tendencies. Together, I am confident we can. We must commit to making Leonia a model of community diversity and understanding, and do our part in helping to “bend the arc of the moral universe,” to borrow the words of the great Martin Luther King Jr., “towards justice.”

The Leonia that stands in solidarity against racism and for the rights of all its residents is the one I am the most proud of.

Bill Ziegler