In the wake of a reported brutal assault of a black student security guard on campus, there is much to be angry and frustrated about.

Iowa isn’t the place traditionally known for such violence.

It is a place where people everywhere remember it as being the home of friendly and helpful citizens.

But it is not just Iowans in Iowa being friendly and helpful. Iowans are known to be friendly and helpful wherever they are.

This is why handfuls of Iowa residents have been traveling to Tennessee since early August to help rebuild several churches that were destroyed by fire, some apparently victims of hate crimes.

About a week ago, furnishings and supplies were donated to the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Tigrett, Tenn.

Folding chairs, an organ and 40 pews were donated to the church also.

These are a lot of furnishings, but more is still needed at the Tigrett church and to others in Tennessee, which are mostly black congregations.

This is a classic example of Iowans helping out.

The question is this: Why can’t we do the same?

Why can’t we at Iowa State help out those who have been hurt by violence and lend them our support?

Why does it take an attack of a fellow student, a friend, to come forward and offer our support?

We need to open our eyes and help out our fellow peers. This is the heart of what good community relations is all about.

But most importantly, we should not rely on others to do the donating, the volunteering for us. Lending a helping hand is something we are all capable of doing, and there is no better time to start than now.