We are not living in a post-racial world

It is easy to declare something is not a problem when it doesn’t impact you and your loved ones on a regular basis. And it can be hard to understand discrimination when you do not live with it daily. Sometimes discrimination results in being followed around a store or given poorer service in a restaurant. It can be someone crossing the street when they see you coming, or verbal insults and even assaults. For many Americans, it has affected their health, their wealth, and their ability to get a good education or job. And these effects have endured for generations.

Civil rights commissions exist for a reason, specifically to respond to ongoing complaints of discrimination and to protect civil rights of protected groups. In our state, the Civil Rights Act of 1965 created the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Almost 60 years later, the commission now has less power, even though the problems it was created to address have not been eradicated.

America, including Iowa, has not yet entered a post-racial era. So why are policies being changed as if we are in this era? And why the apathy, and at times, antipathy, toward Civil Rights Commissions?

One example of these policies is SF 2385, which dramatically changes the role and authority of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Instead of a diverse group of individuals, now the power to investigate complaints and address them lies with a single person — the director of the Civil Rights Commission. Gov. Reynolds appointed Kristen Stiffler to this position Apr. 17, 2023.

“There are misconceptions about civil rights commissions that we are only law enforcement and out to get people,” says Stefanie Munsterman, Executive Director of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, and President of the League of the Iowa Civil and Human Rights Agencies. “Our true purpose is to create community where everyone belongs, and to have all people feel that they have power and agency.”

On April 12 the NAACP held an emergency legislative meeting entitled “Civil Rights Under Attack in Iowa” to explain to citizens what was happening and to advocate against the HF 2385. The response was overwhelming. “We had 70 organizations from across the state and 135 registrants,” explained Betty Andrews, President of the Iowa Nebraska State Area Conference of Branches. “Some were not able to make the timing of the meeting, but we took their calls and explained afterward.” They also created talking points and set up a tool kit online. “The vote did not go down party lines,” which Andrews explained was a win. “We lost by four votes, which is better than if we not been there. We even had a Republican representative speak out against the bill. The main goal of getting the legislation stopped did not happen, but the win was that people did come together — they got active and worked with us.”

For those who point to a decrease in efficacy of the commissions, Andrews points out “Sometimes before they take an ax to a commission, over a period of several years they reduce their power, change the rules, and then they say they don’t do much. They starved (them) and then pointed (to their ineffectiveness).”

Efforts to impede Civil Rights advances are not limited to Iowa. Andrews was recently elected to NAACP board of directors at the national level and she describes a “National push against diversity efforts that have broad impact, including education or health care. While other people are not looking or when they are minding their daily lives,” she says, these folks “take that opportunity to limit democracy. Unfortunately some people don’t understand we have suffered a big loss here.”

“When traveling around the country I am often asked if there are Black people in Iowa. My response has typically been, ‘of course we do and we are thriving.’ But when you see these steps backward, these regressive moves, you wonder. It certainly doesn’t create a space where people of color feel welcome.”

And Iowa has seen numerous pieces of legislation that have a cumulative effect on making people feel unwelcome. Munsterman cited bills and laws that impact LGBTQ populations, and children in particular. “The Trevor Project cites a direct correlation between [legislative] attacks and the mental health of our kids. It is very disheartening. I talk to kids in the LGBTQ+ community and they will say things like ‘why do people hate me for existing.’ My 18-year-old is nonbinary and I have seen the impacts firsthand”

Both civil rights leaders continue to be hopeful. “I have the eternal hope that comes with believing the ‘arc of the moral universe is long but bends toward justice.’ We wouldn’t do this work if we didn’t have hope,” Andrews told me. “We have to believe that things will get better and continue to fight in that direction. It will take the work of Iowans who still believe to do this and move it toward justice.”

Munsterman finds hope in community. “So many other people truly care and are fighting alongside us. [They are] in the arena, taking action and working hard to pushback against these attacks. I am seeing other people alongside us, and Gen Z gives me hope.”

If you don’t believe discrimination still is a problem, talk to more people. Munsterman says that when people learn she works in civil rights, they ask if that still is a problem. “Some walk away when they learn where I work. Anytime I give current examples of discrimination I see peoples’ expressions of shock.”

Munsterman also recommends getting to know people who are different from you. And there are plenty of opportunities for Iowans to do so. “There are some festivals coming up in Cedar Rapids — PRIDE, there will be panel discussions on June 19 on how to be an ally, Juneteenth and Asian festival — there are a lot of fun festival events. I would like people to come and have conversations.”

So, let’s talk. And make Iowa nice a real thing.

Chris Espersen is a Gazette editorial fellow. chris.espersen@thegazette.com