On Sunday Newton made national news in the Washington Post. The news article titled "These Iowans voted for Trump. Many of them are already disappointed," was a snapshot of Iowa communities as documented by a reporter and photographer covering "a range of communities that mirror many parts of America."
While the article is meant to highlight fears of Trump’s presidency, what it highlights in Newton is an embarrassing racist conversation that belittles Middle Easterners, Latinos and blacks.
Gathered in a downtown barbershop the reporter — who surely identified herself as a national reporter from the Washington Post — describes a group of retirees who were talking politics.
“Although this was a room full of Democrats and left-leaning independents, the conversation was far from politically correct. There were jokes about Clinton’s health, and a racial slur was used to describe Middle Easterners. The group mostly agreed that mass deportations of undocumented immigrants would tank the state’s economy, although they wondered why immigrants don’t learn English before coming to the United States.”
One man “praised Latinos for having a strong work ethic and taking low-paying factory and meat-packing plant jobs that most Iowans don’t want to work — especially, he said, black Iowans whom he accused of being lazy.”
This was when our jaws dropped to the floor. The hateful racism in these statements are entirely unacceptable. Moreover, it’s an embarrassing reflection on our entire community. While it’s clear these men hold foolish and senseless beliefs, they have no awareness of what it means to talk to a national reporter about such repulsive thoughts.
We watched as the article circulated on social media and further served as detriment to our community. This is what Newton, Iowa is like, people across the country are thinking.
What a shame.
While tackling racism in our community is an ongoing battle — one which required the formation and ongoing efforts of the Racial Harmony & Justice Working Group — this barbershop conversation also served as a reminder that many don't understand the way we talk is a reflection of our community. What we say matters.
Ten years later it’s still difficult to convince some Newton residents that the sky isn’t falling because Maytag left town. Meanwhile our newspaper reports regularly on positive signs of the city’s recovery — and great potential for our future.
When we say there’s nothing to do here or whine about the good old days we’re not doing ourselves any favors. It’s time for Newton residents to stop being our own worst enemy.
We like these reminders from some folks who work day in and day out to spur economic development in Newton:
• Be welcoming to strangers
• Speak positively about our community
• Don’t spread rumors — know the facts
• Enthusiasm is contagious — pass it on
• Working together creates better results
• Don’t dwell on the past — focus on the future
• Don’t expect others to do it all — get involved
On Wednesday, we published a great letter from a young man recounting how wonderful it was to be from Newton. He wrote appreciatively about growing up here and how it still influences him. He said when people ask him where he's from he proudly smiles and says he's from Newton.
Sunday’s Washington Post article didn’t make us smile. However, there are so many who work hard every day to make sure we are proud to know Newton. Our legacy depends on us carrying that message to everyone we meet.