Yesterday’s door-knocking brought us to another apartment complex in town. Anyone (me) who’s ever complained about the lack of ethnic diversity in Iowa, is obviously not living in the right neighborhoods.
My lily white skin was in stark contrast against the variety of deeper-toned complexions that answered the doors.
We met some terrific folk, who were without exception happy to visit with Art. And so many kids! A beautiful 21 year old, Tania, spoke to us while her three little ones played quietly on the floor of the apartment. Tania’s babies were adorable, each little head covered in tiny braids. I asked her how she got the smallest one to sit still for the two-hour plaiting session. “I catch him when he’s sleeping” was her clever response.
Becky spoke about the importance of education as she filled out an ABR. It was rather humorous to hear Art exclaim, “Oh, there’s another one!” as, one by one, each of her kiddos popped their heads into the room, curious to see what mom was up to. Becky, a quiet young woman with a ready smile on her lips, spends much of her time chauffeuring her family to various schools and activities. She didn’t attend college; I really hope her kids get that opportunity.
Without doubt, the most poignant moment was walking up to yet another rather run-down building in this large apartment complex, and spotting Tina. It was lightly raining, but the 9-yr-old stood on the steps playing with what I at first thought was a toy. When we passed her by, I saw it was just a small block of wood, splintered on one end. She was smoothing the surface by rubbing it against the rough concrete. Tina looked like a ragamuffin, forlorn and alone, dressed in a mish-mash of dirty clothing. I don’t know Tina’s story, but I hope, and pray, that she has good, kind parents who provide for her health care and education. God bless Tina, and the teachers who teach Tina. With education reform in the forefront of Iowa politics, it’s so important to keep Tina in our conversations; and what we can do to provide her with the tools and opportunities to live up to her potential and her dreams.
