An image of inclusiveness has begun to sprout in the windows of half a dozen Boulder businesses.
Simple in black and white, an outline of the United States, a giant flower on indeterminate species shooting up from somewhere in the middle, perhaps Kansas. And the words “Every person is welcome here.”
The “All In” logo was created by a local designer, commissioned by Boulder software firm Dojo4 as a way to designate safe spaces or people in the wake of the divisiveness that accompanied the recent election.
“A lot of people felt marginalized,” said Corey Kohn, Dojo4’s COO. “You realize when you walk around that you can’t tell from looking at someone if they feel friendly towards you or not.”
Similar movements to identify oneself as an ally of marginalized groups cropped up after President Donald Trump’s election — most notably the campaign in which safety pins were donned as a way to show solidarity with minority groups.
But while that effort was meant to signify safety from certain people — Trump voters — Kohn said her image is about safety for people: all people.
“We at first thought about lifting out who we are welcoming: refugees, women, immigrants, LGBTQ,” Kohn said. “Then we realized that as soon as you list people, you are automatically being exclusive.
“It’s welcoming everyone in — and that includes people of various political views.”
While he applauds the “universal” nature of the image, Daryl Maeda, associate professor of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado, the more “meaningful” social movements are “more specific in who they wish to welcome.”
And while Maeda acknowledges that conservatives are a “numerical minority” in Boulder, they may not be subject to the same types of discrimination as true minority groups.
“A person’s political beliefs are not something that others ascribe to them immediately upon seeing them, as opposed to someone who is wearing a headscarf or in a wheelchair,” he said. “Political beliefs are what you believe and what values you hold, whereas being a disabled person or LGBTQ is about who you are.
“When we disagree with a person’s political beliefs, we may say we don’t agree with their values but that’s not who they are as a person.”
And yet, the personal, political and commercial are becoming ever more entwined.
Several companies have been subject to boycotts from supporters on both sides of the aisle for decisions and statements perceived to be political.
There’s little chance of that happening here with this image, said Stefanie Johnson, a professor at CU’s Leeds School of Business who researches leadership and diversity.
“I don’t think promoting that in Boulder is going to turn many people off,” Johnson said. “It’s pretty hard to argue with inclusiveness.”
Still, some are keen to avoid any possible whiff of controversy.
“Ocean First supports the ‘All In’ cause and its purpose 100 percent,” said Marlee Glasgow, marketing director for the Boulder dive shop. “But (we) do not want to post the image for fear of it being misconstrued as being too heavily political.”
Being brand new, Kohn said “All In” and the half-dozen participating businesses haven’t faced any backlash yet. But with sights set on nationwide adoption, she has prepared for “differing reactions.”
Much of the criticism of the safety pin campaign came from the left, with many calling it an empty gesture that did little to help religious or ethnic minorities. Instead, they said, it was an easy way to assuage white guilt.
“A symbol is just a symbol,” said Anne Tapp, executive director of Boulder nonprofit Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence.
Businesses should extend themselves “past the gesture,” she said, by emphasizing diversity in training or hiring — efforts she hasn’t seen much evidence of locally.
“The will is there, but the more actionable steps are lacking.”
Amanda Bybee, co-owner of Namaste Solar, has started taking the steps Tapp recommends — training her employees to recognize and correct implicit bias and widening the hiring pool.
She also has an “All In” symbol in Namaste’s north Boulder window — a move she defends.
“There is value in symbolism,” she said. “There is value in making statements large and small that say, ‘You’re safe, you’re welcome, come in here.’
“I don’t think posting a symbol is enough by itself, but when it’s coupled by earnest action it can be a really positive gesture in the right direction.”
Shay Castle: 303-473-1626, castles@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/shayshinecastle
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