The Lens, a newsletter that spotlights Social Justice & Racial Equity Initiatives in Iowa City. Recent highlights:
My pronouns are:
Pronoun pins are now available for City staff members or volunteers who wish to display their preferred pronouns. Pins may be picked up in Human Resources at the employee’s convenience.
Why is this important? Using a person’s chosen pronouns is not only a basic courtesy, but a necessity of self-respect and identity. Allowing a person to self-identify their pronouns in the workplace instead of being perceived to belong to a particular pronoun removes embarrassment and hurt feelings over being misgendered.
For more about pronouns in the workplace, download “Talking About Pronouns in the Workplace” here.
Book Spotlight
“I was, like many black children, too much for white teachers and white classrooms and white study groups and white Girl Scout troops and so on. Thick where I should have been thin, more when I should have been less.”
So says Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom, a sociologist who earned her PhD. at Emory University, in her latest book "Thick; And Other Essays," which was a finalist for the National Book Award.
In the book, Dr. Cottom turns both her personal and professional gaze on a wide variety of subjects, which are also one subject: the experience of being a Black female intellectual in 21st-century America. "Thick" is complex, demonstrating Cottom’s notable ability to dissect, reflect upon, and interpret territory she also inhabits. Moving seamlessly between personal experience and structural analysis, between colloquial and academic diction, Cottom is not easily categorized, a fact she notes has made her “a problem” in traditional academia. But for those who can appreciate an author who boldly asserts there is space to be both “a socialist Black feminist” and “an Amazon Prime member," this book is a gem.
"Thick: And Other Essays," Tressie McMillan Cottom, New Press, 2019. Check it out from the Iowa City Library here.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Update Released
The City has published an update on social justice and racial equity actions taken by City Departments during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2019.
The update details trainings, outreach, legal involvement, community response and accountability efforts for the months of October through December 2019. This update, as well as other City resources on Equity and Human Rights, can be found here.
White Privilege: Getting in on the Conversations
We had the “privilege” of meeting up with Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. this month at the City sponsored event "Still Rising: Celebrating 10 Years of the Iowa City Civil Rights Trip."
Dr. Moore is the founder of the White Privilege Conference, now in its 21st year. The White Privilege Conference is an interactive, informational, challenging, and energetic conference that explores white privilege/oppression and the imperative that those promoting diversity must “get in on the conversations.”
This year’s conference, entitled "The State of (In) Security," will be held from April 1-4, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona. Learn more or register by visiting the conference website.
#MoreThanJustaMonth
The Office of Equity and Human Rights recognized area Black elected officials and persons serving on City boards/commissions in honor of their service and leadership to the City of Iowa City in observance of Black History Month.
#MoreThanJustaMonth is part of an Instagram promotion that calls attention to the fact that Black History is world history and should be taught every day, not just in February.
Those recognized include Mayor Bruce Teague, Mayor Pro Tem Mazahir Salih, Human Rights Commissioners Adil Adams and Bijou Maliabo, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Billie Townsend, School Board of Directors Ruthina Malone, Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter, North Liberty Councilmember RaQuishia Harrington, and Library Board of Directors Monique Washington.
Youth Job Fair Employer List
The Youth Job Fair is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, in the Gymnasium of the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St.
While this event targets youth between the ages of 16 to 21, it is open to all job seekers.
Employers registered to date: Hy-Vee, McDonalds, City of North Liberty, City of Iowa City, City of Iowa City Parks & Recreation, Goodwill of the Heartland, Shelter House, The Arc of Southeast Iowa, US Foods, Sno Biz, Collins Aerospace, Johnson County Ambulance Service, Metro Pavers, American Family Insurance, Johnson County Government, Sedgwick, and Central Processing Corporation.
Employers interested in having a table at the event must register at https://youthjobfair2020.eventbrite.com. There is a $10 registration fee for employers.
Call for nominations
Do you know a youth who has given back to the community in an impactful way? Created an initiative that had a local or global impact? Volunteered their time to help others?
Nominate them for a 2020 Youth Human Rights Award! Nominations Close on Friday, April 17, 2020. Late nominations will not be considered.
Recipients will be honored at the Youth Awards Program at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St. Mayor Bruce Teague will deliver brief remarks. Each awardee will be presented with a certificate.
Black History Trivia Night
How many Historically Black Colleges & Universities are there in the US?
Parks and Recreation sponsored a Black History Trivia event on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, which featured questions just like that.
Participants tested their knowledge of black people and events that are overlooked in mainstream history courses. Those who brought their A-Game were awarded with prizes at the end.
RaQuishia Harrington, Special and Underserved Populations Recreation Supervisor, plans on offering More Black History Trivia nights throughout the year due to the interest and support of this event.
(Trivia answer: 107 with over 228,000 students.)
Stay Connected to Equity and Human Rights news
For detailed information on current trainings, initiatives, or programs, visit icgov.org/SJREinitiatives, and scroll to Social Justice and Racial Equity Quarterly Updates.
Subscribe to this newsletter and other City news and information at icgov.org/subscribe. Thanks, and welcome!
