As Black Lives Matter protests continue across the nation, paving the way for systematic change in how U.S. society treats minorities, even small town Iowa is discussing how to improve race relations within their own communities.
On Saturday, June 13, local activists held a demonstration at Gazebo Park in Clarion where speakers from the community were invited to discuss how racism has affected their lives and what can be done about it.
"It feels good to be able to make an impact on this community," said Jamiin Braadland, one of the guest speakers. Braadland, who grew up in Clarion and now lives in Des Moines, came home to share the less idealistic details about growing up as a visible minority in a predominantly white community.
Unlike the protests that have taken center stage in the rest of the country, the speakers at Clarion event had little to say about negative interactions with the local police. Rather, discussion focused on the less obvious or more casual racism found within the community, particularly in the school system.
Whether it be appropriately discouraging students from making racist insults or providing teachers with more training in handling racial issues, the group identified areas where there was room for growth in the Clarion community.
In between speakers, attendees at the rally took time to pay respects to the black men and women that have been killed in recent times doing mundane things that many people wouldn't think twice about. This also included eight minutes and 46 seconds of silence for George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers sparked the current civil unrest.
The Saturday event was the second attempt at putting together a demonstration for the cause. It had originally been planned for the previous weekend, however threatening comments made towards the organizers caused them to reschedule.
The organizers coordinated with the Clarion Police Department, who kept officers around for the event in case troublesome elements made an attempt to disrupt the peace.
"Black lives definitely matter. There's not a one of us that thinks they don't," said Senior Patrol Dan Watkins.
Watkins sympathized with the movement and condemned the Minneapolis officers that killed Floyd, noting that all lives, including his, mattered.
"There's no way that should have happened and we in Iowa aren't trained that way," said Watkins.
Contrary to the tensions between police and demonstrations seen in the larger cities, the Clarion organizers were happy to work with law enforcement to make sure everything went smoothly.
"The police were great," said Megan O'Connor. "They worked with us the whole time.
Another Clarion native, O'Connor has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement for several years, since living in Los Angeles, and was asked by friends from home to organize the event.
"Clarion thinks that they're in a bubble and nothing happens," said O'Connor. "It's important to make changes here."
Turnout for the event was better than O'Connor thought it would be, and there is already discussion about either holding another rally or possibly starting a local community group focused on tackling race issues. Hospitals, large businesses, and the education system all have areas where minorities may face either casual or unintended racism.
"I think that would maybe be the first step," said O'Connor. "I hope every minority in Clarion knows that their lives matter."
