BLOOMINGTON - As a community, McLean County has made significant progress in the struggle against racism, but substantial work lies ahead, especially when it comes its more subtle forms.

That was the consensus of participants attending the Racial Justice Summit on Wednesday hosted by the YWCA McLean County.

More than 200 people from the fields of education, law, business and nonprofit groups attended the summit at Country Financial, sponsor of the event. Anne Stewart and the Rev. Charles Ruehle, both with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training, led the discussion on what racism looks like in the local community.

The visible signs of racism common in many cities four decades ago may have disappeared but the discrimination behind the "whites only" signs remains, many participants agreed. Today, racism can be subtle and found in the institutions where children are educated and adults earn a living.

A definition of racism includes more than an individual's prejudice, said Stewart.

"Racial prejudice becomes racism when one group's racial prejudices are enforced by the systems and institutions of a society," said Stewart.

Changing the environment of a school district, a business or other institution can takes decades, but the challenge is worth the effort - even when the person leading the effort is considered a troublemaker, said Janeese Page-Byers, an audience member.

"Racism is bad business. Change helps to improve the institution and make it stronger. When someone sounds the alarm, they are doing it for a reason. They can care a lot about the organization," said Page-Byers.

Problems can occur, said Ruehle, when members of a minority discriminate against others who have not achieved the same level of success.

For Rozalind Hopgood, racism is a human rights issue.

"If you treated everyone like you want to be treated, this could work. Deep down it's a human issue," said Hopgood.

Seven students from Bloomington High School's Helping Young Progress and Excel group attended the race summit.

"Racism is more a thought than an action now," said Raven Davidson, a HYPE member.

The division of high school students in places like the school cafeteria may be a self-imposed segregation, said Davidson.

"We're playing it safe by being with people who are just like us," said Davidson.

Student Parease Davis said the forum provided her with a broader view of discrimination and how many people may be affected by it.

"It's helped me see the other side of the story and learn not to play the blame game. I'd like to try to find a solution," she said.

The dialogue on racism will continue this fall when the Crossroads team returns to Bloomington for a seminar on racism in institutions.