COLUMNISTS

We all play a role in saying 'no' and stopping hate in its tracks

Connie Ryan
Guest columnists

A man walks into a house of worship in Pittsburgh and kills 11 people as they are in community practicing their faith.

Hate notes are slipped under the doors of at least four African American students on the Drake University campus. Robo-calls with a white supremacist message are made to staff and students on campus, as well.

Offices of local non-profits have anti-Semitic hate flyers plastered to their doors.

And then, a guest column appears in the Des Moines Register written by Todd Blodgett, who at first glance seems to have legitimate political credentials such as working for President Reagan. However, those credentials are destroyed with the division and misinformation spewed through his hate speech.

A picture of the 11 people killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The names of the fallen were read and candles lit in their memory at Beth Israel Congregation in Vineland on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

We reject Mr. Blodgett’s use of hateful and dehumanizing labels and language vilifying people who have come or are coming to this country seeking a safe refuge for their families, not unlike many of our own relatives and ancestors. We reject Mr. Blodgett’s arguments that the children born in the United States to parents who are refugees, immigrants, or seeking asylum do not have a birthright, just like any other children born in this country. We reject Mr. Blodgett’s mischaracterization of our country’s history and the impact of the 14th Amendment, which states in part:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

The 14th Amendment does not state all people born in the United States, except those Mr. Blodgett doesn’t like. It clearly provides equality for all people — all children — who are born in this country. "All" does mean "all." Mr. Blodgett is simply wrong.

He uses intentionally inflammatory language that perpetuates stereotypes and empowers bigotry and hate, which can lead to violence. We denounce his rhetoric and call upon other leaders to do so, as well.

Hate, bigotry, and violence are not new in our country, but they have grown exponentially over the last two years, including hate and violence against Jews, Muslims, people who are LGBTQ+, people of color, immigrants, and refugees. 

It is not clear how to fix this moment we find ourselves in, but we do know that we are all accountable. We all play a role in saying "no" and stopping hate in its tracks every time it is spoken or acted upon.

We call out the political leaders who use hateful rhetoric to rev up their base. We call out the faith leaders who use hate and division to drive home a discriminatory point. We call out the media who allow their news outlet to be used to perpetuate hate and hate speech. We call on each good Iowan who has been silent or indifferent to speak out.

To people in those communities across Iowa who have been targets of hate, whether you are an immigrant, refugee, person of color, Jewish, Muslim, or LGBTQ, we are with you. You belong here. We stand with you. We will speak out against hate and violence every time.

To those who are committing actions of hate or using hate speech, we reject you and your hate. Iowa has a long history of being a welcoming state and your hate has no place here.

We believe that hate will not win, but it takes all of us. What will you do to help stop hate that is so pervasive today? What will we do together to stop hate, bigotry, and violence, creating a society that is welcoming of all people? We must stand up together, speaking out against hate every time. Every time.

Connie Ryan is executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.  Co-signers of this column are: Jarad Bernstein, Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines; Joe Henry, League of United Latin American Citizens, Council #307;  Ako Abdul-Samad, Des Moines Muslim community; Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, One Iowa; Erin Davison-Rippey; Planned Parenthood of the Heartland; Bishop Richard Pates, Diocese of Des Moines; Bishop Alan Scarfe, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; the Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning, Upper Midwest Region, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); the Rev. Brigit F. Stevens, SD-NE-IA Conferences of the United Church of Christ; Trustees, Sikhs of Iowa Khalsa Heritage; and Erica Johnson, AFSC Iowa.