What are the chances that the people of Iowa address some of the racial inequality in their state...

[IndianaJones]

Or would that be real change?

[CoffeeCat]

1. To what are you referring, exactly?

[IndianaJones]

2. racial inequality in Iowa, specifically. nt.

[CoffeeCat]

3. How do you know Iowa has "racial inequality" that...

...spans the entire state?

[IndianaJones]

4. Do African Americans span the entire state? As Tavis Smiley said the other day...

there are 5 brothers in Iowa and 3 of them are in jail.

[CoffeeCat]

8. Oh, I see...

Well Tavis Smiley can kiss my ass.

It is true, about 4 percent of Iowans are African American.

That doesn't mean we're racist.

[IndianaJones]

10. Why does Iowa have the highest incarceration rate in the country for African Americans? nt,

[cyberswede]

11. Ok - let's magically make more people of color move here!

That ought to do it!

If you're talking about the disproportionate number of incarcerated blacks in Iowa, then I think we might have something we can agree needs to be addressed. How do we address it? I have no idea. What do you suggest?

This problem is certainly not unique to Iowa, either.

[IndianaJones]

13. the point is...Iowa is putting black people in jail at a higher rate than the rest of the country nt

[cyberswede]

19. or perhaps

more black people in Iowa are committing crimes?

Ok ok - I know that was snotty.

I think the communities in Iowa that do have larger black populations are also communities with more economic and social problems across the board - which doesn't help matters.

[CoffeeCat]

25. ...and I would say that is where the inequities lie...

Why are there more minorities living in the poorer communities?

Inequities and unfairness that spans from the borders of Iowa and many generations.

[IndianaJones]

26. median earnings for African American males $17k...median for men in general $31k. nt.

[petersjo02]

5. What racial inequality?

That's a pretty broad (and dirty) brush you're painting us with. Unless you have something specific to point to, you're talking nonsense.

[IndianaJones]

6. lets start with economic and judicial inequality. nt.

[CoffeeCat]

12. I hear what you are saying..

...and I think any kind of economic or judicial inequality sucks to high heaven.

It makes me physically ill.

Do you feel that Iowa has more racial inequality than other states?

Why have you singled Iowa out?

[IndianaJones]

16. I haven't singled out Iowa....I've posted on racial issues many times.

Iowa has recently had its caucus, so I have chosen to discuss them.

[cyberswede]

7. As opposed to racial inequality in the other 49 states?

I'm sure it's still a national problem, unfortunately.

My Iowa town is barely 50% caucasian, by the way.

[IndianaJones]

9. Lets discuss one state at a time. Iowa is proud of its first in the nation status...

so I start there.

[cyberswede]

14. Oh brother!

What does first in the nation status have to do with an ongoing societal problem (that also occurs nation-wide, btw)?

If you think a state should be perfect in order to host the first electoral test, I'm afraid you're in for a long wait.

[IndianaJones]

17. Why is Iowa putting blacks in jail at such a high rate? nt

[CoffeeCat]

18. Well, I can tell you that we just supported...

Obama overwhelmingly in Iowa.

He won every precinct in my suburb of 40,000.

I know that doesn't equal racial equality, but you mentioned the caucuses.

I'd like to point out that our caucus participation--in a state with 96 percent white population--
increased 100 percent from the 04 caucuses. And 04 was a record year.

The overwhelming turnout was due to Barack Obama.

In my precinct, I was the precinct captain for Obama--and there was only one Africa American
in the room. He caucused for Obama.

In fact, it was Simon Estes.

[cyberswede]

20. Jealous!

Simon Estes was at your caucus! Way cool!

[CoffeeCat]

22. I know...isn't that trippy?

I had to check everyone in and he wasn't on my list. I didn't know it was him.

He gave me his last name and I looked at him and smiled. I didn't want to bother
him, because this was a caucus after all. I didn't want to get all gushy.

However, after the evening began, the adrenaline was really flowing and people
were really excited. We expected 30 Obama supporters at we had 92. I had to
go around the room and count everyone. Everyone had to count off, "One Obama", "Two Obama", etc.

When I got to Simon Estes, I said, "Can you sing your number for us please?"

He just laughed.

[cyberswede]

24. LOL!! Great story! n/t

[cyberswede]

23. We had a HUGE turnout for Obama, too

We have a large hispanic population, and many hispanic caucus attendees went for Richardson.
However, probably more went for Obama. In fact, about half our delegates to the County Convention this year are Latino. This is GREAT to get more involvement from our entire community. (sorry, this is off-topic from the OP).

TwoSparkles - your comments in the thread are great! Thanks!

[IndianaJones]

21. So, do you feel this will translate to initiatives to correct the inequity in the state? nt.

[cyberswede]

27. To be honest...

I think prison populations are invisible to most people - unless you know someone who is incarcerated or work in the penal system somehow. Unfortunate, but there it is.

I also think the Iowa voters didn't go for Obama due to his race - it was due to his optimistic message and willingness to reach across the aisle. In fact, I rarely heard his race brought up in political discussions (it was occasionally mentioned in relation to electability and whether the US as a whole is ready to elect a black man).

I'm still curious what suggestions you might have for initiatives to address this problem. I know very little about it (obviously).

[CoffeeCat]

28. Do I feel that a large contingent of Obama...

...support across Iowa translates into action that will correct racial inequalities in the state?

No.

Obama had many advantages, and was able to reach his full potential, just like many other
people (of all races and income levels) were able to self actualize, due to the best of
all circumstances.

You discussed the minorities in the poorer neighborhoods in Des Moines. Those people--if
they live in poverty--whether black, white, yellow or brown--have lived lives that have been
affected by a multitude of inequities and unfairness that has led up to their current experience.

I feel that if we are to help people who have experienced inequity, unfairness or injustice--we must
first step out of our own bubbles and be willing to care and understand. I don't feel that most
people dare do that. It's too frightening. People tend to ignore what they don't understand or
what they fear.

How can racial inequities---or income inequities or injustice be addressed? One person at a time
is the only way. One on one. People taking chances and doing good--just because. We are all
connected. I am that African American in jail. I am that little girl with nothing to eat. We
are all connected.

How do you build those natural bridges back to each other? That's a good question. A really
good question. I try to do my part, but I know it will never be enough.

[cyberswede]

29. Thank you!

Your post is spot on. I think I love you. :hug:

[CoffeeCat]

30. Oh, you're too sweet...

Typical Iowan...totally nice.

I don't know how many out-of-towners told me that during the caucus.

"You guys!! You're...so...so...NICE!".

:)

[cyberswede]

31. and we have

great personalities! :)

[onenote]

15. What's Indiana's record like, in comparison to Iowa?

Just curious.

[TankLV]

32. But what exactly - forcing blacks to live there?!?!

Just because blacks don't live there in significant numbers doesn't mean a thing - heck even I don't want to live there!

What an idiotic post...

besides - how many of the prison inmates have been IMPORTED by private prison companies from other states?

Might now be a real reflection of IOWA's "problems"...

[CoffeeCat]

33. I don't blame ya....

...if I didn't live here, I wouldn't want to live here either.

I'm just glad we got electricity the week before the caucuses. That would have
been embarrassing---caucusing by oil lantern.

[IndianaJones]

34. only white people think racial equality means having the same number of people. lmao. nt.