Barb Kalbach.

When I saw the news about the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) receiving an intimidating letter from state Rep. Charley Thomson of Charles City, it brought back memories. Recent memories and feelings of what I experienced late last year when I received a letter from Summit Carbon Solutions’ attorneys attempting to silence me from speaking out against their pipeline. Upon opening that letter I was met with a wave of surprise, confusion, fear, and anger.

According to news reports, Thomson’s letter demanded Iowa MMJ hand over a list of names and addresses of their staff, donors, and clients. I couldn’t agree more with Randy Evans of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council when he wrote “The audacity of Representative Charley Thomson’s recent demands to a nonprofit organization should offend all, regardless of where you land on the political spectrum.”

What supposed problem does this action by Rep. Thomson solve? Is this what people we send to the statehouse are supposed to be doing when there are so many other actual pressing matters at hand? Are the people of Iowa better off feeling silenced for what we believe or who we welcome into our neighborhoods and communities? Or is he just jumping on what appears to be the national bandwagon of intimidating and silencing people and groups one doesn’t agree with?

I heard from some Iowa CCI members who were at an event in Marshalltown recently along with folks from Iowa MMJ. They shared stories about the community coming together to help each other, however they could, after the tornado and then the derecho. Marshalltown seems to embody the bedrock Iowa value of we’re all in this together and are stronger together, understanding that our communities are stronger when everyone in them has a chance to belong and contribute, regardless of where they came from.

It may start with surprise, fear and so on but that’s not how it ends. These feelings, when arising from unfounded and politically motivated attacks, lead to resilience and determination. Determination to fight for an Iowa I grew up in and whose values I was steeped in. That we welcome the stranger, look out for each other, and we don’t take too kindly to bullies who think they know how we should live our lives.

Like author Robert Leonard who also wrote about this, I actually feel sorry for Rep. Thomson. For one, it seems he doesn’t have anything better to do than to threaten our fellow Iowans. But even more, it appears he wasn’t imparted with the same Iowa values I and so many others were, perhaps the most important being love. Love for our communities and each other, and seeking understanding and conversation over hate, fear, and intimidation.

Maybe after the legislative session ends, Rep. Thomson can take some time to tour our rural communities. He can meet the diverse people living and working there, see what makes us tick, and get a good ‘ol fashioned Iowa education on what we’re really about.

Barb Kalbach lives in Adair County, Iowa. She is a 4th-generation family farmer, a registered nurse, and board president of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. Barb can be reached at barbnealkalbach@gmail.com.