An Open Letter to Governor Terry Branstad

This week I have been angry. Angry for multiple reasons, but mostly angry that after spending four years abroad touting the awesomeness that is the State of Iowa I now have to think before I speak. Angry that after being made fun of for speaking about Iowa like it is the best thing since sliced bread I have to pause.

See, even after you backtracked a bit and said we need to be cautious in regards to welcoming Syrian refugees you are still wrong. You are a coward. You are being Islamophobic. You are being racist.

Iowa is a place that has a distinct history of welcoming those without a home to find one here. Going all the way back to the 1970s where Governor Robert Ray did the unpopular thing and welcomed in refugees from Cambodia, Vietnam, and then assisted the Tai Dam community in calling Des Moines home.

As a high school student I remember going to Central Campus for Japanese class and seeing all the students who had recently came from Bosnia and knowing that we were providing opportunities for kids and families.

Even most recently, with Sudanese and Burmese refugees, we’ve been providing new and safe spaces for people to start life anew.

These last examples have been while you were governor!

So, what makes these Syrian refugees any different? Why wouldn’t we be willing to live up to the precedent set by previous situations? Are you that afraid the federal government isn’t properly vetting folks?

Be brave Governor. Allow me to be proud of the State I was born and raised in; allow Iowans to continue having their lives enriched by refugees and make our communities stronger.

All that being said — you won’t break me. I breathe Iowa through and through. My values are Iowa values and I know that our love and welcoming spirit will shine through your bigotry.

Fight the fear, Islamophobia, and racism. Leave a legacy that is worth bragging about.

Heather Jones — Recently Returned Iowan