Claudia Thrane
Latest from Claudia Thrane
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Enthusiasm, Hope Lead Latinx Immigrants In Iowa Rally On May 1st
“We are having another May 1st rally this year,” Jose Alvarado told me a few months ago, about the event in support of immigration reform. During my conversation with Jose, I had a flashback from fifteen years ago, when I participated in “A Day Without Immigrants” rally. In 2006 people gathered around the country, including…
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GOP’s ‘Back The Blue Bill’ Punishes Protesters, Makes Situation Worse
Iowa House Republicans last week passed a so-called “Back the Blue” bill, which provides more protections to law enforcement and punishes protesters in direct response to last summer’s protests of nationwide racial inequity. Democratic Rep. Christina Bohannan of Iowa City noted there are “some really problematic parts of this bill” during a time when the…
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Mistrust Of Vaccine In Communities Of Color Must Be Addressed
The moment was finally here! I was eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and I was ecstatic. The opportunity to feel some safety against the virus and gain some sort of normalcy was within reach. It has been more than a year since the pandemic started and we all have witnessed the loss of life,…
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Iowa’s Attacks On Voting Rights Makes The State Unwelcoming
“It’s our duty and responsibility to protect the integrity of every election,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds after signing a bill restricting various forms of voting in Iowa earlier this year. The bill shortens the early voting period to 20 days from 29 days, limits drop box locations, restricts election officials from mailing absentee request forms…
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Honoring Iowa’s Migrant And Farm Workers
This year has been a year of learning, of reflection, of putting things in perspective for many of us. Most of us learned about the importance of slowing down and to be grateful for what we have. We also learned to recognize other people’s important work and sacrifice so we can stay safe and fed.…
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Amara Andrews Runs To Lead A More Inclusive Cedar Rapids
It has been my position that as a U.S. citizen with the right and responsibility to vote, I will vote my conscious. As a person of color, I have always believed that just because a Latino(a) is running for office, it does not mean that I will vote for that candidate. Now, I will not…
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Iowa’s Asian Americans Ask For Unity In Fighting Hate
A year ago, as the pandemic started, we all watched how another story began to unfold; the former president kept referring to the coronavirus as the “kung flu” and the “China virus.” Ever since then, the racist acts and harassment against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community surged, and the xenophobic rhetoric used by…
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In Banning Training Discomfort, Iowa Goes Backward On Racial Progress
The Biden Administration and the new Democratic Congress has begun the arduous task of dismantling numerous policies and executive orders that proved damaging to underrepresented communities in our nation. Iowa, on the other hand, controlled by Republicans, has remained loyal to former president Trump’s insufferable legacy. One of the worst bills they’ve offered up this…
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Stop Social Media Shaming Those Eligible For Vaccines Now
When Iowa state officials announced this month that the vaccination criteria would expand to individuals under age 65 with obesity, severe obesity (BMI 30) and smokers, many in social media began to play judge and jury. This has stirred harsh commentary, even among traditionally liberal and progressive individuals. The vaccination criteria for this new round…
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How Iowans Of Color Have Dealt With COVID’s Mental Health Strain
The months of February and March this year mark a grim reminder of how the coronavirus pandemic began to change our lives forever one year ago. We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, yet the scars of loss, depression, anxiety and pain remain. A comment that resonated with me…
