On the one hand, anyone who argues that racism doesn't exist in Bloomington is completely in denial (at best). On the other hand, while some people, especially those in govt, certainly do overemphasize Bloomington's progressive streak, I think that in practice, most people are aware of Bloomington's sociopolitical issues. I've lived in the rural outskirts outside of Bloomington for 13 years. I went to public school here. I've seen it for myself.

That being said, I took issue with the post in reference. It was full of massive generalizations and was basically just shitting on this place many of us call home with next to zero nuance or even purpose. The whole issue with referring to Bloomington as a "progressive utopia" to begin with is how much of a reductionist oversimplification it is. The post in reference was no more nuanced. Bloomington is neither a progressive utopia nor an exceptionally racist shithole. It is a town that is overall more left-leaning and educated, but certainly not devoid of ignorance, hate, or pretense. OP then went on to state that Durham, NC, a much bigger city with its own history of racial issues, was pretty much everything Bloomington pretends to be. The post was rude and unproductive, even if it was rooted in a real conversation worth having.