Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Juneteenth, a state holiday in Iowa and 28 states, marks the day when the last slaves in Texas learned that slavery had been abolished on June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Many black communities across country mark the holiday with educational events and celebrations.Muriel Konne believes Juneteeth, being celebrated today across the state and elsewhere, serves a reminder for African-Americans to unite against the problems that plague them.
“It’s a time where people feel free to express their opinion about what is really going on in this country,” said the 17-year-old Des Moines student. “I personally feel that African-Americans as a whole are oppressed because our voices aren’t heard enough.”
Iowa’s Juneteenth theme is Iowa Families: Guardians of Freedom, Liberty & Citizenship. Thousands of people are expected to descend upon Des Moines’ Evelyn K. Davis Park today for educational attractions, music, food and children’s events.
“Juneteenth is a perfect way for us to be able to come together, have our voices heard and be able to identify the key problems that are really affecting us,” said Konne.
College entrance and affordability are among the issues most concerning to Konne, and her sister, Rachel, 19, who is an intern at the Iowa Commission on the Status of Africans.
Rachel Konne said some teachers at Des Moines’ Roosevelt High School appeared to have low expectations of black girls, which hampers their self-esteem and can render them unprepared to attend college.
She said Juneteenth is a good day for blacks to remember history, talk about issues, such as college preparedness, racism and discrimination, and to unite. Her sister agreed.
“I think everyday should be Juneteenth,” said Muriel Konne.
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