This year, let’s come together as a community

Mark Neary, Writers Circle

2015 was a rough year. Nationally, we had mass shootings on a regular basis; spreading fear of ISIS; beatings or shootings of minorities by police; continued stalemates in government; and all those presidential candidates. On the local level: arguments about the 'Shadow” caused by a not-yet-constructed building; the fight over the city council's plans for Iowa City; the uproar over the hiring process of the university president; and all those presidential candidates. It was a year filled with anger, fear, and statements denouncing the perceived 'enemies”: whether they were Muslims or immigrants or African-Americans or any other fill-in-the-blank class.

My wish for 2016 is that everyone take a moment to recognize that we are a community rather than many factions. A community can be defined simply as a group of people who live in the same area, but that is not enough. Community can also be defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, and that is what I hope everyone can recognize. I am not trying to minimize the diversity of our area, but trying to get diverse groups to realize that they are part of a larger tapestry.

In Texas, there is an event called the 'Dallas Dinner Table” which is one meal per year, held in groups of 8-10 people, where a variety of people are encouraged to meet and discuss race issues in a controlled, safe setting. The thought is that when people share a meal and conversation together, they cease being a variety of groups and instead become a closer community. Could a similar event occur in Iowa City which allows people to work towards unifying into a community of fellowship?

Iowa City is an environment designed for learning. It is through the interactions of the people of various ethnicities and religions, of different economic and social classes, of people who literally come from all over the world, that Iowa City has its identity as a multi-cultural, vibrant, educated city. It is also through such interactions that we can realize that our fellow Iowa Citians, whatever their background, race, religion, or economic status, all contribute to making Iowa City unique and wonderful. We may or may not have a scheduled meal together as the 'Dallas Dinner Table” does, but by reaching out to others, we can develop a stronger appreciation for what makes us one community.

' Mark Neary is a lawyer who practices primarily in Muscatine and resides in Iowa City. Comments: marknearylaw@gmail.com