The state’s population is 90 percent white. Its three branches of government are controlled by Republicans. If change can happen here, it can happen anywhere.
Iowa City. A few nights ago, Mayor Bruce Teague unexpectedly hosted dozens of visitors at his house in a residential area not far from the University of Iowa’s football stadium.
Teague, who is black and openly gay, listened that night to mostly young people, black and white, in the driveway of his home. The first-term mayor has been highly visible since the murder of George Floyd. He has spoken at Black Lives Matter rallies, organized “Speak Up, Speak Out” events at city parks, and met virtually and in-person with protest leaders who have adopted the name “Iowa Freedom Riders” for what is sometimes several hundred marchers and chanters.
The protesters at Teague’s home were hard on him, insisting that he could and should do more to effect real and immediate change. Teague kept his cool, even when protesters mocked his “raggedy-ass house.” Teague believes the young activists may be unaware that mayor of Iowa City is a part-time job with an annual salary of $14,950—somewhat short of UI football coach Kirk Ferentz’s $4.5 million a year. (Teague’s full-time job is running a multigenerational in-home health care agency).
“Despite what happened that night,” Teague told me, “the message I want people to walk away with is that Black Lives Matter. Our house is on fire and we need change—now.”
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Iowa City’s protesters are savvy and quick to adjust their tactics.
