If you’ve ever seen the 2003 cinematic masterpiece that is “Love Actually,” you’ll remember the first lines of Hugh Grant’s opening monologue over a montage of people hugging hello at the airport: “Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere.”
This is one of my favorite movies, and I’ve seen it more times than I can count. The message is enduring. And now, more than 20 years later, it still rings true when I start to feel gloomy about the state of the world. It’s easy to see bad headlines everywhere, but take a closer look at your community and you’ll find the good stuff sure enough.
Across the country, we’ve seen diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives come under scrutiny, rolled back, dismantled and defunded. These actions have affected organizations I volunteer with and people I know, and I’ll bet the same is true for you. Trust me, I recognize the irony of producing a magazine designed to celebrate local diversity even as the word itself is under attack. But rather than tiptoe around it, or call it something else, now feels more important than ever to honor our community’s diversity, and all the good things that come with it. I think we should take a “Love Actually” approach and look for diversity everywhere around us.
Our mission at dsm has always been to inform, inspire, elevate and celebrate our community. In this issue, we challenge the idea that “DEI” is just a buzzword. Instead, it’s a collection of lived experiences, perspectives and stories that make up the fabric and texture of life in Central Iowa. Each person who calls this place home adds a unique thread to the evolving tapestry of our community.
Perhaps nobody brings this metaphor to life more than Ben Millett, a textile artist who makes queer-themed quilts and clothing at his space at Mainframe Studios. The Des Moines Art Center invited him to display his work in a solo show this summer, and you can see why here.
You’ll meet Lani, a young musician who ties her Colombian heritage to her love for Des Moines. At last year’s Iowa Music Awards, she was named the Latin Artist of the Year.
Stories that highlight DEI can help us realize how much we have in common, despite our outward appearances. Keep reading and you’ll meet a family who was tested by a prison sentence and now works to help others break the cycle of incarceration. You’ll learn about adaptive sports programs that help more people join the team. You’ll even meet some local royalty: the drag kings and queens who make the whole realm a little more fun.
Even — and especially — in times of uncertainty, we’re all tied together by our community. So let’s take Hugh Grant’s advice and look for common threads. I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by what we see.
— Hailey Evans, associate editor
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