A State of Race

Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
Expediency asks the question - is it political?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, popular, or political; but because it is right.
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged us with his dream "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." In Iowa City, there are recent examples to suggest that day is not this day:

- As I joined with 250 people on January 20th at a service commemorating Dr. King's life and work, I heard our former mayor and current council member, Ross Wilburn, reflect personally that he was recently called a "the N word" by a woman who passed by him hurriedly exiting a grocery store.
- The results of a poll that was taken at City High School late last year about our youth's intolerant opinions about race, religion, and sexual orientation.
- Online comments at the Press-Citizen with veiled comments referring to "people from Chicago" and "those people."
- School leaders who are so concerned about the influx of poor students that they single out the one's with the largest minority student populations for focused concern.
- Rules at a local bar about what is appropriate attire that, on the face, discriminates against some persons of color.

The picture is not all bleak.

- A recent meeting of progressive political leaders that I attended reflected that human relations were of major concern and that there are people in the community working on the proposition of how to best address what to do to improve these relationships.
- The decision to revamp the Police Review Board is further proof that citizens of goodwill want accountability for bad behavior.
- The existence of HARRT (Hate Action Rapid Response Team)to address serious problems in the community.
- Barack Obama winning the Democratic caucus handily in Johnson County and the state.
- The local area Chambers of Commerce sponsorship of Diversity Focus whose mission is to enhance the diversity of the corridor.

And we need to be honest and say that the coin is two-sided. Persons of color have prejudices too. The lessons of the past revisit every generation regardless of color. And, perhaps, it is more understandable if a person is visibly in the minority for that person to feel fear--which is what prejudice ultimately is.

But we need to realize that every generation needs to learn the lessons of past generations. Race relations do not improve by ignoring history, but by embracing it. Unfortunately, as Americans, we like the idea of "moving on" and "getting over it" much more than understanding cause and effect.

As people of goodwill know, the best antidote for racism is open and safe communication. The ability for all people to air their grievances is cathartic and leads to healing. All people learn hate, we are not born with it. Watching small children play is all the example we need to know this.

Let us all be better teachers of our children or, perhaps, learn from them.