Reminding Iowans about Iowa’s Legacy as a Leader in Civil Rights:
The Case of Alexander Clark
The Alexander Clark Foundation, headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, plays a crucial role in reminding Iowans about our legacy as a leader in upholding the honor, dignity, and respect that ought be given to all people. In 1868, a black man by the name of Alexander Clark, was deeply disturbed by the fact that the nearby public school would not allow his daughter Susan to attend — simply because her skin tone was a different shade. Instead the school insisted she travel across town to the school that was designated for black folk, which of course had less funding than the so-called public school (which wasn’t open to the public, ironically)
Alexander challenged the Muscatine Board of School Directors in court, and in 1868 won his landmark desegregation case which today can be cited by anyone who might face discrimination here in Iowa: Clark v. Bd. of Sch. Dirs., 24 Iowa 266, 277 (1868).
Something remarkable about Clark, is that there were no statutes or case law for him to draw upon within his legal filings. After all, the Iowa Civil Rights Act wasn’t passed until 97 years later — in 1965 — and the case was completely unprecedented: there was no case law for him to cite! Instead Clark leaned into the Equality Clause, found in Article I, Section 1 of the Iowa Constitution.
Author’s note: In law, “Article I, Section 1” would normally be abbreviated “Art. I Sec. 1” or “Art. I § 1”, for “§” is the “section” symbol. Throughout this page, however, in memory of Christopher Gadsden, instead of using the “§” symbol, I have instead inserted the “
” symbol. The “” symbol is located on the Gadsden Flag. You can learn more about Christopher Gadsden within the essay that is included in my Citizen’s Arrest Kits.
Art. I 1: “All [natural persons] are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights – among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.“
Art I 1 is expanded upon within I 6, which sets forth: “All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation; the General Assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities, which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens.“
Alexander Clark won his case, and the State of Iowa became the first in the union to desegregate schools — 86 years before Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)!
The Justice Accessibility Act, detailed below, will put Iowa back on track toward leading the nation a leader in civil rights aka “civilian rights”. First, please watch this half hour documentary put together by the Alexander Clark Foundation:
How We Restore Iowa’s Role as a Leader in Civil Rights
Codify the “Right to First Trimester Abortions”; with expedient care”, with medical exceptions for severe complications in the second and third trimesters. See next subsection:
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- Counterbalanced with “Safe Sex, Safe Hearts” Education Campaign —Focusing on unintentional pregnancy prevention and the importance of practicing responsible and safe sex. The reason it is called “Safe Sex, Safe Hearts” is to encourage healthy communication, including communicating boundaries and being respectful of boundaries. Perhaps one cause for sexual violence is that we do not spend enough time teaching the importance of respectful and appropriate communication. READ MORE.
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New “Open League” for Sports — As a transgender woman who has looked into the issue of fairness in sports, I stand with my sisters who are afraid to speak up on this issue, or who are voicing their frustration and concerns and feeling unheard or marginalized. There are physiological differences between non-transgender women and transgender women, however this conversation should be had in a way that doesn’t refer to transgender women as “men in women’s sports”. Trans women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and frankly we have it hard enough without politicians dangling our medical condition in front of the American people and mocking us. It is completely inappropriate. After other priority parts of the platform are moved forward — primarily related to CRC, housing, and healthcare — my plan would call for exploration funds for an “open league” in sports. Divide people by weight class like they do in boxing and wrestling, then monitor to balance fairness as we learn along the way... READ MORE.
Surgeries for Transgender Adults must be Covered by Insurers — Many unqualified people with no personal experience in this matter tend to speak on this issue frequently. I was born a male, and without medical treatment, developed breasts and other typically-female sex characteristics around 6th grade. This was during the 1990s when the term “transgender” was not a political topic. After silently and secretly suffering and feeling shame throughout high school, I sought medical care after graduating. This resulted in approximately 17 years of homelessness, facing harassment and violent and sexual assault on numerous occasions. I returned to Iowa in 2018, and now have a Governor and President inciting harassment and bullying against transgender people, and cutting off our access to medical care. On February 28 this year, Kim Reynolds and approximately 90 Republican lawmakers, violated 18 U.S.C. § State of Iowa removed legal protections for tras As a 43 year old transgender woman who has suffered immensely this lifetime, I assure you that not being able to receive care is excruciating physically, mentally, and emotionally…. READ MORE.
Protect All LGBT+ from Harassment and Abuse — Protect LGBT+ Iowans from harassment, and ensure access to gender affirming care for adults… READ MORE.
Age 16 Hormone Restriction, 14 in Extreme Cases — Establishes a “middle ground” approach to regulating hormone therapy for youth, acknowledging that age 12 is too young, and forcing people to wait until age 18 is cruel. The decision to start hormone therapy requires a mature mind and long-term understanding. No surgeries until age 18… READ MORE.