UPDATE — A little bird just whispered in my ear that Robinson will be a special speaker at the monthly meeting of Connections tomorrow (Tuesday) evening in Iowa City. More information is available on the Connections Website. From the Connections site I learned that Ed and Lynn Fallon (I’M for Iowa) are coordinating Robinson’s visit to the state. If you visit the events calendar on their site, you’ll find additional public events in pretty much every section of the state. For those in eastern Iowa, there are events scheduled in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Clinton and Davenport.
Now I’m feeling a little foolish for not already being aware of the schedule. My guess is that it was announced while I was stuck in bed with a cold.
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H. Alexander Robinson, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, is in the process of visiting four cities in Iowa. Before leaving the beltway, however, he set pen to paper to discuss the trip and what he hopes to accomplish while here.
As I head off to the Hawkeye state, I am reminded of the Iowa’s historic role as a bellwether for justice and equality. From the rights of women and African Americans to the recent decision by the state’s Supreme Court to extend marriage rights to lesbian and gay couples, Iowa leads.
I am eager to visit the people who launched the successful campaign of our nation’s first African American President. Though less that 3% of Iowa’s population is African American, the Black communities in Des Moines, Davenport and Waterloo continue to play an important and critical role in setting the tone for issues of justice and civil rights.
Yet on the issue of full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, too many African Americans depart from their core support of justice. Today’s issues are arguably the same as those featured in Cora Unashamed, written by Langston Hughes–a gay man–and set in Iowa. Issues of abortion, young love, materialism, racism, death, and destiny intermingle in one charged novel. So much has changed since that 1930s story, and yet certain prejudices pass through all perceptions of time. When I read of the emotional isolation and open, inflammatory bigotry felt by Cora in a town where her and mother are the only African Americans, I am reminded of the despair felt by too many African American young people because they are bullied and rejected by family and church.
But this is not 1930s. There are clear signs of hope, and Iowa is at their center. While I am there I hope to listen and to learn.
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Visit the NBJC site to read all of his remarks. Unfortunately, I’ve no clue if and when any public appearances might take place. If you are aware of any, please leave a comment below.
Brilliantly expressed.