‘Welcome’ is truly our language in CR

Hearing these words spoken by our Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell when I return home through The Eastern Iowa Airport always brings a smile to my face. I am proud to live in a community striving to welcome residents and visitors from all walks of life. The words “welcome is our language” are not just hollow words and a catchy marketing tagline. The city and our community back it up with action. We walk the walk. Raising the LGBTQ+ flag at city hall is a visible commitment to our LGBTQ+ residents and visitors that they are seen, are welcome, and are an important part of our community.

When I heard several Cedar Rapidians at the City Council meeting protest the raising of the LGBTQ+ flag at city hall, I was disappointed and hurt. But I reminded myself that they are welcome in Cedar Rapids too. Our diversity is something of which we should be proud. We may sometimes disagree, even debate one another strongly, but we are all residents of this city. We all love our city. We must celebrate that all are welcome here. We can’t bridge our cultural divides and heal the hurt of our divisive political rhetoric unless we see one another, seek to understand, and approach one another with kindness. “Welcome is our language” is an excellent way to start.

Chris Taylor

Cedar Rapids