Sunday’s peaceful rally on the Iola square laid to rest any notion that we live in a bubble, isolated from outside events.
Thank goodness.
For two hours, brave citizens took to a makeshift podium to express their rage — and fears — at how black- and brown-skinned people are discriminated against purely because of the color of their skin.
The rally was one of thousands currently occurring around the world in the wake of the May 25 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd’s death has become emblematic of not only police brutality against blacks but also systemic racism here and abroad.
Kudos to local organizers for bringing the message our way.
PERSONAL testimoniesgave proof the needle has barely budged since the Jim Crow days, when African Americans were denied the privileges of whites.
Jackie Evans, born and raised in Iola, told the crowd of how her 5-year-old son was recently playing in his front yard when a pickup drove by and its occupants began yelling racial slurs and threats at the small boy.
“Mommy, are those men going to kill me?” the traumatized youth asked Jackie.
We don’t need to mention his skin color, do we?
Helen Ambler, age 88, continues to pray every night for the men in her family, specifically “because they are black and [as such] could suffer any of the atrocities that we have all seen on television for too long.”
Ambler challenged the crowd. “All those willing to trade the color of their skin for mine, raise your hand.”
Nary a one was lifted, knowing the privilege that white skin begets.
Ana Davis of Iola worries about her son and “how much longer before the world’s view of him fades from little boy into a targeted threat?”
“Our children deserve better. They deserve the same chances at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as everyone else.”
But she knows, unless things change, some will view her son as a walking target simply because of his dark skin.
Many others spoke passionately about a culture that emboldens racism.
“We have to take a deep, real look at ourselves and our lives and recognize our part in white supremacy and change that before there can be an end to the madness that is racism. That is our responsibility,” said Tracy Keagle, one of the organizers of Sunday’s rally.
