North Liberty diversity discussions underway

While a forum on diversity in North Liberty may have been born in the shadow of national racial and socioeconomic unrest, it would be wholly unfair to label it a direct descendant.

There has been no horrific incident in North Liberty to draw facets of the community together, much less appeal to national advocacy groups. There is no racially-charged crisis that needs immediate tending, nor have there been headline-grabbing gaps in existing social services.

Citizens aren't regularly marching against local injustices or in support of any particular demographic.

Yet quietly, for the past few years, North Liberty has experienced significant growing pains.

The community is the second fastest growing in Iowa. A population of roughly 5,400 in 2000 has nearly tripled, with most estimates showing about 16,000 residents today. And while the vast majority of those residents continue to be white, the percentage is shrinking. African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans have also found North Liberty's quality of life appealing and made the community their home.

Perhaps especially by Iowa standards, North Liberty is an incredibly young community, with residents boasting a median age of about 29 years. About 30 percent of the community is under the age of 18, and the largest population block (44 percent) is between the ages of 25 and 44.

So, when compared to the rest of the state, this community is already unique and diverse, and that has resulted in some misunderstandings and misinformation. A few of those - a traffic stop gone awry, misbehavior on area bicycle trails - were aired by those participating in Tuesday night's discussion at the First United Methodist Church. Opportunities to address ongoing myths - such as new black residents all being poor and relocating from Chicago, or that the local police department stops the same woman who walks to work each morning - were also a part of the evening.

Most of the time was spent, however, mapping a path forward in the oft exalted but mostly uncharted territory of acting in advance of a crisis.

Panelists and audience members sounded warning bells regarding future infrastructure and social service needs. Many encouraged those in attendance to spread the word, especially to local leaders who can designate community priorities.

Since the five panelists represented different agencies or aspects of community advocacy, quick overviews of specific concerns were outlined and existing discussions highlighted.

'There are some key things communities need in order to thrive,” said Chad D. Simmons, executive director of Diversity Focus. 'Let me give you an example. Within our region we do not have a Latino radio station. We do not have a radio station that focuses on R&B or hip-hop, which would be very critical to the African American community.

'And here's where the challenge is: You can get [these stations] on Pandora or through other options, but what you cannot get is local [information or] what is happening here.”

It's an issue, he said, that has been a topic of discussion for Diversity Focus. How does a community build cohesion if there are not clear, established channels of communication?

'We want to bring information to everyone, and we want to do it in a way that it gets to them, without them needing to come to us. We want it to be a part of everyday life,” Simmons said.

Audience member Royceann Porter, a resident of Iowa City and active in the Black Voices Project, applauded efforts by North Liberty to organize events and festivals like Blues & BBQ that bring people together and offer shared ownership in the community.

'Have events throughout the year that bring unity to the community,” she said. 'Bring police officers into these picnics and events so the people and the police officers can communicate with one another. … When you get to know the people, get to know the kids, you won't fear them.”

Such 'small things” like having shared experiences or smiling and saying 'hello” can change a community, noted panelist Omar Paz, Hispanic lay minister at First United and the East Central District of the United Methodist Church.

'I don't think God sees our color,” he told those attending. 'He sees what is in our hearts.”

The thread of being a welcoming community wove throughout the discussion, and was especially important to North Liberty Police Chief Diana Venenga, who served as a panelist.

'We do a really good job with elementary and younger kids, but I think we do need to do a better job with our older kids and citizens,” she said. 'That's something [I've heard tonight and] we can get something in place to do that.”

Law enforcement, she said, is an ever-changing field, one that takes vigilant training and preparation. While there is always room for improvement, Venenga believes her department is doing their part to make the community more inclusive and welcoming.

'Training will always be a priority for me and this department so that we can make sure our officers have the tools and skills they need to go out and do exactly what we expect them to do,” she said, adding that she would be taking her notes from the forum to additional city leaders.

Continuing to learn more about each other and exploring ways to educate and respect each other are key parts to moving forward, said panelist Tina Dubois, executive director of the North Liberty Food and Clothing Pantry.

'One thing that is very difficult for me, as a white woman, is knowing who I can ask and what I can ask,” she said, referencing a pantry initiative to distribute toiletries and her challenge in learning what types of products are used by different ethnic groups. 'I was so grateful that I could call Sabrena [Shields, another panelist,] and ask questions and not have her feel like they were offensive questions.”

In the end, according to Rev. Alecia Williams, whose previous sermon was the imperious spark for the forum, nurturing an inclusive community where everyone is vested and welcomed is both a collaborative and individual effort.

'This is not just about what North Liberty can do, or what the people sitting on this panel can do, or what Diversity Focus or the other organizations can do,” she said.

'What can you do? … That is where change starts, with the person in the mirror.”

Only time will tell whether or not the residents of North Liberty can remain motivated and focused, and past experience hasn't shined brightly on those who advocated for change absent an immediate and overwhelming need.

Participants interested in being a part of whatever happens next were asked to leave contact information with Williams. Shortly after the forum ended, the written list of contacts held 16 names, but small groups of people still gathered in the sanctuary and foyer.

'I had no idea what was going to happen here tonight,” Williams said after the event. 'I didn't know if anyone would come, especially given the weather, or how the discussion would evolve. But now that I know, I am so happy, and so optimistic.

'This is going to make a difference. This is going to make our community better.”

' Comments: @LyndaIowa, lynda.waddington@thegazette.com or (319) 339-3144.