The Declaration of Independence, signed 244 years ago this weekend, purports to be a model for people seeking to free themselves from tyranny.
But nearly two and a half centuries later, this is not yet a nation where all people enjoy the same unalienable rights life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Ongoing protests against racism and police violence offer an important reminder the dream of freedom has not been realized for Black and brown Americans.
When governments fail to protect our fundamental rights, the Declaration prescribes, the people have the right to alter or abolish oppressive systems, pursuant to their safety and happiness. With inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement, Iowa has an opportunity to start correcting these historic injustices.
The coronavirus is disproportionately affecting communities of color. People who are Black and Latino are being infected and dying of the disease at a higher rate than their white counterparts. Some of the reasons behind this divide are racial discrimination in health care and that people of color are more likely to work as essential workers.
In Iowa, Gov. Reynolds refusal to close meat packing plants and issue a stay-at-home order has compounded this divide, needlessly sacrificing the lives of Iowans. Now as restrictions are lifted statewide, cases are surging. Iowa needs a more comprehensive and adequate response to the pandemic that addresses these disparities instead of profiting from them.
Its often been said that public education is a ticket to opportunity available to all Americans. But Black Americans looking across the education landscape see too many gaps and too much inequality.
In Iowa, according to the National Assessment of Education Progress and other assessments, achievement gaps persist and may be widening. In 2019, Iowas white fourth-graders topped their Black peers by 31 percentage points, compared to a 25-point gap in 1996.
The New Statewide Assessment of Student Progress showed continuing large achievement gaps in Cedar Rapids and other districts. The district has set a goal to reduce the gap by 20 percent by 2022.
In Iowa City, an investigative report by a high school journalist, Nina Lavezzo-Stecopoulos, found that Black students in the Iowa City district are more than twice as likely as whites to be suspended from school. These disciplinary discrepancies are found across Iowa and push too many Iowa students from the path to an education and into the criminal justice system.
In Iowa, Black women are six times more likely to die from childbirth than white women. The causes of this problem are manifold, from access to health care to racism among doctors and nurses.
But our state is only making a bad problem worse with policies that have hallowed out Medicaid reimbursement programs. According to the University of Iowa, Medicaid reimbursed its hospital about a third of what commercial insurance plans did for services like ultrasounds and deliveries last year.
In Iowa, a quarter of families live in a child care desert, and child care does not even come close to meeting the national definition of affordable. Because of this crisis, the Iowa economy loses more than $1 billion each year due to a lack of child care.
And now, as Iowans are returning to work without access to safe and affordable child care and school districts moving to a hybrid model, parents are being forced to choose between their livelihoods and their children. From better paid leave policies to well-funded schools, more needs to be done to support Iowa parents.
Government zoning regulations and bank lending policies last century conspired to racially segregate cities in Iowa.
When the New York Times last year published its 1619 Project examining lasting effects of the North American slave trade on modern America journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote about growing up in Waterloo, where a racist lending scheme known as redlining created stark white and Black neighborhoods.
While lending and housing discrimination are officially illegal, the racial lines between neighborhoods in Iowa cities havent withered much since the federal Civil Rights Act and Fair Housing Act were passed in the 1960s. Analysts say Waterloo still is one of the most racially segregated cities in America.
Achieving equitable housing will require robust economic empowerment programs for Black families, but also a thorough rethinking of zoning policy by local governments.
One motivation behind the American Revolution was No taxation without representation the idea that people should not be subject to rules they have no part in making. Yet, Iowa still practices a form of this injustice.
Because of Iowas badly outdated law, nearly 10 percent of Black Iowans are barred from voting, according to the Sentencing Project. Iowa is the only state in the nation that permanently disenfranchises felons after they have completed their sentences, and minorities are disproportionately subject to felony charges.
Released felons work, pay taxes and contribute to society in many other ways. Keeping them away from the ballot box only serves to further ostracize former prisoners, making them second-class citizens. Gov. Kim Reynolds should act swiftly on her promise to issue an executive order automatically restoring voting rights, and she should refrain from imposing extra conditions or barriers.
The criminal justice system is fraught with racial disparities, but jailing people for victimless drug crimes presents a uniquely disturbing affront to racial justice.
Iowa holds an embarrassing position as a leader in arresting Black people for marijuana charges. Black Iowans are 7 times more likely than white Iowans to be arrested for marijuana possession, according to an ACLU report this year, making Iowa the 5th-worst in the country.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT
The drug war is part of a larger system that victimizes communities of color, which are over-policed and where officers often use drugs as a pretext to rack up other charges. To address these disparities, state and local governments should decriminalize drugs and radically reoriented police enforcement strategies to focus on community service.
(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com
Originally posted here:
Black Iowans have been denied right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness - The Gazette
- Not Victimless: Understanding the harmful effects of ... - December 10th, 2016 [December 10th, 2016]
- State crime - Wikipedia - December 10th, 2016 [December 10th, 2016]
- Types of Crimes - Overview and Discussion - December 31st, 2016 [December 31st, 2016]
- Victimless Crime Constitutes 86% of The Federal Prison ... - January 8th, 2017 [January 8th, 2017]
- Arizona and California Auto Insurance Fraud Busts - Claims Journal - Claims Journal - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Police aim to prevent prostitution, human trafficking - Woburn Daily Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Campaigners say Rabobank should face trial for 'crimes against ... - DutchNews.nl - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Meth arrests, seizures surge in Bowling Green | News | bgdailynews ... - Bowling Green Daily News - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- 7 arrested for auto insurance fraud scheme - KESQ - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Bitcoin, Stop Apologizing for Victimless Crime - Nigeria Today - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Perfectionism Is Insanity And Impossible To Accomplish - Being Libertarian - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Family of Collision Repair Shop Owners Allegedly Scammed Insurers Out of $560000 - BodyShop Business - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- High rates of parental incarceration among African-Americans means that criminal justice reform is now education reform - USAPP American Politics and... - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Owners of Seven California Collision Repair Shops Allegedly Scammed Insurers Out of $560000 - BodyShop Business - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Cop Block Founder Ademo Freeman Arrested in Ohio for Drug Trafficking/Possession VIDEO - Free Keene - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Hinds County and Morton police team up on 11 drug arrests - Jackson Clarion Ledger - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Teddy bears, food packaging and family photos: The huge illegal ... - shropshirestar.com - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- 3 juveniles sentenced for starting fire at MCDI in Springfield - wwlp.com - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Hadi's Bill opens doors for disproportionate punishments, constitutional expert says - Malay Mail Online - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Call to tackle rural crime as farmers 'soft targets' | UTV - ITV News - ITV News - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Open letter to MPs on Hadi's Bill - Malay Mail Online - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Law enforcement, advocacy groups work to stop sex trafficking in the Fox Valley - WGBA-TV - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Malaysia: Hundreds of thousands expected to join mass rally calling for greater Syariah laws - Asian Correspondent - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Rural crime figures are a concern - Farming Life - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- 'Simply unacceptable': Northern Irish farmers remain soft targets for ... - FarmingUK - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- What People Are Saying About Homeland Security's Plan to Crack Down on Immigrants - Phoenix New Times - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Stubbing out illegal cigarettes will help plug SA's budget deficit - Business Day (registration) - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Your tip sheet: No sanctuary - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- A Map of Corruption in France - Big Think - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Inside The Quiet, Prophetic Politics Of Theologian C.S. Lewis - The Federalist - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- JAILED: Drug and gambling addict brought misery to train passengers - Eastwood Advertiser - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Drug addict Lucas Niewiem had cannabis farm above child's bedroom AND stole railway cable - Derby Telegraph - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Jewish community rallies against anti- Semitic attacks - San Diego Jewish World - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Efficiency And Effectiveness: Our Approach To Primary Markets - Speech By Christopher Woolard, Executive Director ... - Exchange News Direct - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- With few safeguards, Jewish cemeteries make easy targets for vandals - Jweekly.com - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Number of suspected child sex offenders in Bedfordshire almost ... - Bedfordshire News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Philadelphia unions offer to repair vandalized Jewish cemetery - Arutz Sheva - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Breastfeeding bills aim to help children of incarcerated mothers - NMPolitics.net - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- John Klar: Scott plays both sides in marijuana debate - vtdigger.org - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Families of victims of Colombia's paramilitaries get their day in US court - The Guardian - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Preserving stories from Mt. Carmel - South Philly Review - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Legislature should ensure juries know their options - St. George Daily Spectrum - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- How to End the War on Cops and Restore our Liberties at the Same Time - Being Libertarian - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Museum collects stories to show vandalized gravestones are more than just toppled rock - Newsworks.org - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- The Sessions Scandal Exposes the Racist Double Standard of Trump's 'Law and Order' - AlterNet - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Feelings of vulnerability fomenting among local Jewish community ... - fox2now.com - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- For Democrats, How Many American Victims Are Enough? - Townhall - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- How to Reverse Incarceration in Louisiana: Thirteen Steps to Stop Being First in Being Last - Common Dreams - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Welch State Police Detachment welcomes new commanders - Bluefield Daily Telegraph - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Legislature boosts penalties for prostitution-related crimes - Deseret News - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- This VOICE tells racist lies - Socialist Worker Online - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Wisconsin Veterinarian sentenced 4 years for labor, sex trafficking - Woodbury Bulletin - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Stop looking at child abuse online - get help now - Falkirk Herald - Falkirk Herald - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Convenience stores count the cost of retail crime - Talking Retail - Talking Retail - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Groton man who robbed Old Lyme bank on a bike sentenced to five years - theday.com - March 12th, 2017 [March 12th, 2017]
- Robert King sobs as he's spared jail for possessing thousands of images of child abuse - Somerset Live - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- LA councilman targets 'knock-knock' burglars with $50,000 reward - LA Daily News - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Vehicle covered with anti-Muslim slurs in Rundle; police say hateful ... - Calgary Herald - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- At Issue: Should Cobb County consider uniform public comment rules? - Atlanta Journal Constitution - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Spend tax dollars on addiction wisely - Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Jeff Sessions & David Shapiro & the Rule of Law | National Review - National Review - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Schenectady man sentenced to 7 years in prison for child porn - Albany Times Union - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Making Whitefish best it can be - The Missoulian - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Letter: Judges should get say in drug sentencing - Times Herald-Record - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Allison Hanes: Disgrace is the deterrent for Applebaum - Montreal Gazette - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Independent business owners thank police and the ECHO for ending burglary "epidemic" - Liverpool Echo - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Hertfordshire Copp family jailed for 27 years for 45 million payroll tax fraud - Hertfordshire Mercury - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Police hunting rail cable thieves who caused travel disruptions in Sheffield - The Star - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Alleged Yahoo hacker Karim Baratov will stay in jail as he awaits extradition hearing - CBC.ca - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Rockland's chief detective retiring after 45 years investigating murders, corruption - The Journal News / Lohud.com - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Accused hacker will remain in custody after appeal of bail decision ... - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]
- The extent to which a state should exist - Being Libertarian - June 11th, 2017 [June 11th, 2017]
- Man gets 8 years for pandering - Martins Ferry Times Leader - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Child porn, prostitution sting nets 4 | News, Sports, Jobs - Leader ... - Gloversville Leader-Herald - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Rebel With a Cause: The One Conservative Who Voted For Legal Pot - Marijuana.com - June 14th, 2017 [June 14th, 2017]
- Students For Liberty's Ethan Pritchard wants students to have carry-conceal on campus - Rare.us - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Crash That Killed Chehalis Motorcyclist - Centralia Chronicle - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Sporting clubs devastated by senseless vandalism - Coffs Coast Advocate - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Man had indecent images of children on his mobile phone - South Wales Argus - June 16th, 2017 [June 16th, 2017]
- Cwmbran man had 132 indecent images of children on his mobile ... - South Wales Argus - June 17th, 2017 [June 17th, 2017]