Black Lives Matter

Image: A large crowd of marks protesters protesters marching west on Jefferson Street and south along Madison Street in dappled sunlight, June 12, 2020.

Last night I again attended the Iowa Freedom Riders' protest in Iowa City. I've been showing up because I am committed to the community-wide social change that needs to continue in addressing systemic racism and dismantling white supremacy.

I celebrate the community-building work of the established organizations in Iowa City working for positive social change, too, like the South District Neighborhood Association, Dream City, Humanize My Hoodie, Fifth Ward Saints North, Faith Academy, The Kingdom Center, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Black Voices Project, the Refugee & Immigrant Association, and many more.

For all of my white friends and followers, I hear your support of the protesters. I need to see and feel your support of the Black-led institutions who have been creating this change here for decades, too. Read and educate yourselves. Don't burden your Black friends with telling you how to be anti-racist. Commit the time and emotional energy to learning. Make sacrifices and stay uncomfortable. De-center yourself. Give money. Listen. Stay in your lane. (And, if you're already there, then you know that the right response to reading this is to give even more, not to get defensive or to put the focus on your own past or current involvement.)

For our Black leaders and my friends and neighbors, some of you have voiced your concern that parts of the current protests will set back your work. I hear you, and I thank you for reaching out to protest leaders to give advice and share your knowledge. With the success in the State legislature for statewide police reform last night, and the commitment to change I see in our local government as well as in many local organizations with all-white leadership right now, today I am incredibly hopeful.

I'll now be spending less time on the streets, and more time pushing as an ally in the board room, the court room, and at the city council dais. Decide where you can make the most change, and do it.

We are truly #inthistogether. #BlackLivesMatter