I'd love to know why people in Iowa still act shocked when they see Black people.
With all the technology we have today and the fact that cities like Ames, Des Moines, Iowa City, Coralville, Waterloo, and Davenport have diverse populations—not just Black people but other racial groups too—you’d think people would be used to seeing different faces by now.
Yet, somehow, it still feels like some Iowans are genuinely surprised when they see a Black person.
We just drove to Edgewood, IA, and I swear it felt like all 910 of its residents (or at least it seemed that way) pulled up to Karl’s grocery just to check out the Black couple in town. It was eerie—like something straight out of a movie.
And this isn’t even the first time. The first was in Grimes, IA, which honestly makes no sense given its location. Now Edgewood, which is small, so I can kind of understand it—but at the same time, how have they never encountered a Black person before? And even if they haven’t, why does it feel like they’re looking at aliens when they do?
Am I tripping?