Community talks race relations

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Despite race relations often being a topic of heated debate, discussion during Thursday night?s community workshop on race relations was, according to many who attended, open, honest, civil and helpful.

Held at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library and hosted by members of the Mt. Pleasant Human Rights Commission, the Keokuk Association for Rights and Equality (KARE) and the Burlington Branch of NAACP, a group of roughly 25 members from the local community attended the workshop, which included a showing of race relations documentary, ?White Like Me? and a group discussion on racism.

?We must be involved in change. We must stand together to make a better society for our children and grandchildren through prayer and a personal commitment to make a difference in the lives of others,? said Fred Seay, of the Burlington NAACP, who said he feels that people of color, as well as people born with disabilities, are born into a society that has come a long way to address and stop discrimination, but has yet to eradicate discrimination entirely.

The purpose of the workshop, according to Seay and other leaders present during Thursday night?s event, was to open up discussion on race and diversity in an effort to look at ways that the local community can work together to move toward a society of respect and equal rights for all people.

For Henry County Sheriff, Rich McNamee, who attended the seminar, he said he felt racial biases and discrimination of minority groups still exists, and says even as a law enforcement official, he has seen it first hand.

?I do see discrimination take place sometimes when I go into businesses, on and off duty, even as a Caucasian male. I?ll see African American people get shunned so that I can get service, and I do think it?s wrong. I don?t like it, but it does happen, absolutely,? he said.

According to both Gabrielle Stokes and Tony Campbell, who openly shared cases in which racial discrimination has hit them as individuals, they say they want people to understand the hurt that discrimination does to others, and insists they are hopeful that things can improve over time.

?People sometimes aren?t thinking about it, but it?s there in many people?s subconscious ? that tendency to discriminate, or act, or treat someone differently because of their race. It?s affected me personally and it is hard to take,? said Stokes.

Stokes, a Henry County local, went on to say that although she has experienced racism in her life, she is proud of her African American heritage and says all people, no matter the color of their skin, should embrace their heritage and their individuality.

?I don?t know how anyone can say racism isn?t a problem or an issue in our society,? said Campbell. ?But, I think what we are doing here tonight, talking about it, getting to know each other, especially with all of us being from different backgrounds, races and what not, it is helpful. It?s a very positive thing.?

For local man Sal Alaniz, a civil rights activist and state representative for the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs, the turn out for Thursday night?s discussion was encouraging.

?We just have to keep moving forward,? he said, addressing the group after open discussion was held. ?I?m encouraged by what I heard here tonight.?

?The bottom line, I think, is that if you witness something that is unjust, stand up and speak up. Just say something. Don?t just stay silent,? said Stokes.