Why This Book?
Are you outraged that it's currently against the law in Iowa to teach students in public schools that the state or the nation is "fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist"? Are you disturbed by school board members' gross ignorance and abuse of power as they ban books? Are you tired of state and local leaders attacking marginalized, vulnerable youth and teachers?
Yeah, we are, too.
So, we brought together historians, community leaders, activists, and educators to write a book. And not just any book, but stunningly illustrated, engaging, story-packed resource designed specifically for young adults in Iowa and beyond to learn about the complex diversity within the state, be inspired by the longstanding resistance to systemic racism in Iowa, and be equipped to become the next generation of leaders guided by facts, curiosity, and compassion.
These are old fights. Keeping our history alive is one of the best defenses we have. And we need your help!
How to Support Us
Pre-order the Book
Pre-orders help us make financially strategic decisions about printing to keep our overhead low and maximize profits we direct towards youth justice movements. Pre-orders also help us collect contact info to keep our supporters in the loop about upcoming events related to the book. As a thank you for your order, we'll send you some super sweet swag and enter you in a raffle for wonderful prizes. Just click on one of the Perk options on the righthand side of the page (1 copy, 3 copies, 10 copies, or 25 copies). Each order has a $5 shipping fee.
Donate to Enter Our Raffle
If you want to add a "tip" of $20 to your order, click on the pink "See Options" button at the top of the page and enter the amount of contribution you would like to make. Every $20 of donation will earn you an additional raffle ticket for one of three prizes: a gift basket of products from BIPOC-owned Iowa-based businesses, a $100 gift card to RAYGUN, or a $200 gift card to your favorite local independent bookstore in Iowa. We'll use that money to:
- Support upcoming events and programming for the book
- Fund translations of the book for maximum accessibility
(translations planned for Spanish and an audio version in English)
- Send free copies of the book to a community organization, library, or school
NOTE: If you want a copy of the book and to donate, Indiegogo requires those to be two separate transactions. Apologies for any inconvenience!
Spread the Word
Regardless of whether you pre-order a book, there are other helpful ways to support this project.
- Get the word out about the book through your social networks
- Request this book at your local library
- Host a book club to encourage others to read the book
(a discussion guide and supplemental curriculum will be available soon at our website)
- Sign up for our listserv to find out about events to support the book
About the Book
- Written for teens and young adults
- Composed by a collective of 25+ BIPOC historians, organizers, and educators with support from the Past Present Future Publishing team of Katy Swalwell and Jen Leatherby
- Illustrated by Iowa-based artists Cameron Gray and Jameson Malone
- Funded by a generous donation from Jane Robinette in honor of her mother
- All profits go to youth justice movements in Iowa
Table of Contents
- LETTER TO READERS
- GLOSSARY OF TERMS
-
MYTHS & REALITIES
Myth 1: Iowa is all white people.
Reality: Iowa has never been all white people, and is only getting more racially and ethnically diverse.
This chapter challenges stereotypes of who “real” Iowans are by examining stories of who lives here, who doesn’t, and why. It introduces information about demographics and minoritization with a focus on Native sovereignty, migration, and immigration.
SAMPLE STORIES:
Báxoje | Meskwaki | Winnebago | Land Back Movement & Rematriation | Frank LaMere | Homestead Act | Black Codes | Marshallese in Dubuque | Nathaniel Morgan | Cook's Point in Davenport | Mason City’s Lehigh Row | Fort Madison’s El Cometa, El Istafiate, & La Yarda | Bettendorf’s Holy City | Ar Shong | Indo-American Association of Iowa | Mother Mosque of America | the Aossey Family | the Benitas Family | Hindu Temple & Cultural Center in Madrid | Sikh Association of Iowa | Alexander Levi | Tai Dam | ICE Raid in Postville | Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice | Refugee Resettlement | Jung's Oriental Food Store | JJ Kapur | LULAC
-
Myth 2: Iowa Nice prevents racism.
Reality: BIPOC can’t count on Iowa Nice, and ongoing anti-racism is what disrupts racism.
This chapter explores how BIPOC Iowans cannot count on Iowa Nice. It also examines the consequences of valuing niceness over anti-racism and advising racial justice advocates to “ask nicely” for change. These stories show that being nice is not enough to stop racism. It takes organized demands and direct action over many years to make a dent. This chapter also introduces the concept of interest convergence and explores different tactics for disrupting racism.
SAMPLE STORIES:
Tyson Foods Lawsuits | Operation Pedro Pan | George Woodson | Underground Railroad | Bud Fowler | J.L. Wilkinson | George Edwin Taylor | Ah Wah and Wong Fun | Hai-Mencha Euka (Maria Pearson) & NAGPRA | 1968 Waterloo Student Activism | Rahma and Raafa Elsheikh | Jane Elliott | Edwin Coppock | Steve Smith | Patti Miller | The Case of Ralph | Clark v. Muscatine | Grinnell School Riot | Brown & Black Forum | Native American Presidential Forum | Jean Jew | September 29th Movement | Carrie Chapman Catt | Jack Trice
Myth 3: Following the rules will protect people from racism.
Reality: Well-enforced anti-racist rules, mutual aid, solidarity, and self-determination help protect people and disrupt racism.
Sometimes, rules are fair and just. Sometimes they’re not. Either way, they cannot guarantee protection from racism. This chapter examines examples of racist rules in Iowa, and the consequences of not enforcing rules intended to stop racism. We end with powerful stories of how mutual aid, solidarity, and self-determination have helped BIPOC Iowans to survive and thrive.
SAMPLE STORIES:
Emma Coger | Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1884 | Camp Dodge | Charles and Ann Toney | Edna Griffin | Umoⁿhoⁿ & Blackbird Bend | Racial Covenants, Blockbusting, & Redlining | Urban Renewal in Des Moines & Sioux City | Highway 61 | Mob Violence & Lynching | Racial Profiling | Transgender & Queer Mutual Aid | Ethnic Studies Leadership Academy | Mexican American Mutual Aid | National Bar Association | Refugee & Immigrant Vaccine Alliance | Great Plains Action Society | Iowa Buffalo Rebellion Coalition | Mary Domingues Campos | Dr. Harry Harper | Gateway Dance Theatre | United Packinghouse Workers of America | Quad City Grape Boycott Committee | League for Social Justice | Catholic Interracial Council | Burlington Self-Survey in Human Relations | Meskwaki Settlement School
WHAT NEXT?
A call to action for readers!
About Past Present Future Publishing
We launched Past Present Future Publishing after our success with the Amazing Iowa book series. We work with Iowa artists and authors to uplift marginalized stories that help us understand the past and the present so we can build a better future. After seeding future projects and covering overhead, all profits go towards youth justice movements in Iowa. For more info about us, our mission, and our upcoming projects, check out our website at ppf-publishing.com.
