Lenz’s racism charge is inaccurate

I didn't overhear the conversation, but it sounds like hate when columnist Lyz Lenz labels someone as a racist based on a comments about a spoon.

Lenz suggest that Iowa's limited racial diversity is due to intended bias. It's much more plausible that our population make-up is the result of our agrarian economy. In our larger, more industrial cities, we have a more diverse population. Many Iowa employers extoll the benefits of a diverse workforce and work to entice under-represented populations to come here.

Regarding incarcerated populations, Lenz' data citations are not current. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics April 2019 annual statistical prisoner survey, African American male imprisonment dropped by a third and the female rate dropped 57 percent from its peak to a 30 year low.

Lenz is inaccurate in her assertion that the GOP took no action against Steve King. In comparison, what did the Democrat-controlled House do about overtly racist Ihlan Omar? Nothing.

When she cites a realtor's fact based comments about neighborhood crime statistics as evidence of racial bias, she does not prove her assertion.

Lenz is the one who is remarketing hate. She demonstrates hate for anyone not sharing her opinion, maybe not along racial lines, but through stereotyping. She suggests nefarious motives when none exist. Belittling people doesn't make them more likely to extend their horizons. Perhaps some Iowans need more awareness, but that doesn't make them racists.

Julie Perez

Cedar Rapids