PIC racism is the worst in Iowa
As I've mentioned on this blog numerous times, Iowa was named the 2nd worst place to be black in the US by the Black Commentator a few years ago, as you can read here.
Based on the new data indicating Iowa now has the worst disproportionate incarceration rate in the US, I think BC might need to put Iowa at the top of the list instead of Wisconsin. Black Iowans are imprisoned at 13.6 times the rate of white Iowans.
I've actually been saying this was the case for the past year, and the data will come as no surprise to my YEA! kids or outstanding activists and researchers such as Brad Richardson, whose steadfast attempts to document disproportionate incarceration and "contact" with the PIC/"justice" system are available to the public through the DMC Resource Center at the National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice.
Whether it's in the abysmal situation facing youth of color in Iowa schools, campus hate crimes, communities like Waterloo facing racist campaigns, or the many incidents I've documented on this blog, Iowa is not a welcoming place for people of color; that's for sure.
Labels: imprisoned, imprisoned youth, racism, white supremacy
posted by adrienne at 7:23 PM
4 Comments:
I agree that there is some kind of strangely polite racist culture going on in Iowa and I am surprised that I have been unable to find more groups or like minded individuals who are willing to confront this culture and work to make things equitable in Iowa for people of color.
Thanks, Crystal. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to respond. I don't live in Iowa anymore, but I still stay in touch with folks who are trying to make a difference. You probably know, but the BSU is active at the UI, and in Cedar Rapids, there are good people at the African American Museum and the Jane Boyd Community Center. Mr. Baylor, a counselor at McKinnley Middle School in CR is especially great, and, above all, I know Vanessa Shelton of the School of Journalism is amazing. But in terms of groups or a movement -- there are just so many barriers to organizing in Iowa; there's so much to be done. If you go to the McGill University website's East Asian Studies page, you can find ways to contact me. I can put you in touch with folks. I'm not sure if you'll see this. But I did want to respond nonetheless.
What is it about this area that just wreaks of racism. I am a hispanic professional with numerous degrees who worked for a short time in the large insurance pension company in town and it was like a racist convention in that place. There is absolutely no one of color in the organization higher than customer service worker. Diversity is a horrible word there. Its amazing, this town, and especially that company need to be dismantled and rebuilt with some human beings.
Dear Anonymous,
I thought about that a lot, but can't claim to have all the answers. As much as it's critical for folks to challenge the problems there, it's just really hard to live with it, and I chose to leave, which is maybe cowardly or selfish. Sometimes I wondered if it was demographic -- like it's almost predictable when you have too many white people in one place. I think there are also things about Iowa City's liberalism that make racism easier for many folks to disavow even when it's literally right in front of them.
There are people there who feel like you. Some are students, like Vernon Jackson. Some are activists, like at least a few people in the UI Antiwar Committee and the folks in the Wild Rose Rebellion. I hope you are able at least to have a community of folks with whom you can share feelings and experiences like this.
adrienne
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