Regional Councils
In March 1987 the Commission adopted "An Open Letter to All Iowans" and the "Action Plan to Eliminate Racial Prejudice." These documents defined the problem of racial prejudice in Iowa, asked Iowans to commit themselves to its elimination, and detailed specific ways that Iowans could help.
As a result of the dissemination of these documents, three Regional Councils were formed in the state. These councils are comprised of volunteers who are committed to eliminating prejudice in their respective communities and regions. Following training by Commission staff, the groups are tackling prejudice on a local level by monitoring incidents which could result in discrimination in their communities. Some of the incidents that the councils have acted on are:
• Asking shop owners to remove racially stereotyped merchandise, such as "pickaninny" dolls and a figurine of a spear-carrying Black man .
• Requesting organizations not to use "bachelor auctions" or "slave auctions" as fund raisers .
• Responding to items in the media that have negative racial, ethnic, or sexist implications.
• Notifying a circus that some of its advertising had negative racial inferences.
• Monitoring talk show hosts who have made offensive racial, ethnic or sexist comments, and registering complaints with the radio station .
• Requesting local school districts to have programs in the curriculum on eliminating prejudice and racism.
• Responding to a restaurant chain that has signs posted in Spanish about robbery and theft, but has no menu or other informational signs in Spanish.