Racism
The #StandWithCharlottesville march: How did it go?
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 08-15-2017 under OPINION
On Sunday, August 13, 2017 hundreds gathered in Rosa Parks Circle for a solidarity march and peace vigil in support of those fighting the recent white nationalist terrorism in Charlottesville, VA. Wearing black as a symbol of mourning, we took over...
Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Parent University to host screenings of American Divided
by (Natalie Hart)
Submitted 08-08-2017 under NONPROFITS
On Wednesday, June 28, over 600 people gathered at Celebration Cinema South to watch two screenings of America Divided, a film series that explores some of America’s thorniest issues—criminal justice, housing equity, education,...
City Commission passes resolutions regarding community, police relations
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 07-27-2017 under NEWS
Summer can mean vacations and family time for many of us. This tends to have an effect on the turnout at the City Commission meetings. That was clearly the case Tuesday as citizen attendance was down compared to the last few months. However that...
Navigating through pride and prejudice
by (kwesirobertson)
Submitted 06-16-2017 under OPINION
Some of my gay friends and I see Pride month differently. Very differently. According to them, I get two months: February, for Black History month, and June, for Pride. I should feel honored, right? I have inherited the powerful but not as...
Local First aims to help businesses create community change with upcoming equity workshop
by (PeopleFirstEconomy)
Submitted 06-13-2017 under NONPROFITS
Change doesn’t come from individuals alone. At Local First, we believe that business can instigate positive change within a community. Not only does local business help create and stabilize communities, it has a major role in creating a...
Recent police actions prompt citizens to press City officials to declare 'state of emergency'
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 05-10-2017 under NEWS
During the final public comment period of Tuesday night’s City Commission meeting, forty people stood and spoke in solidarity about the need to declare a “state of emergency” around the racialized outcomes and systemic inequities...
Support 'A Day Without Immigrants' on May 1, 2017
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 04-25-2017 under OPINION
On Thursday, April 20, at 12 p.m. I joined a group of immigrants and allies in the Calder Plaza for a peaceful demonstration organized by Movimiento Cosecha GR. Together we marched north to face the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE...
Black motorists twice as likely to be pulled over, searched by Grand Rapids police
by (Russell Olmsted)
Submitted 04-20-2017 under NEWS
According to the City’s Traffic Stop Data Analysis study, Black drivers in the city of Grand Rapids are twice as likely to be pulled over by police as white drivers. The discussion of these results and the study's recommendations brought...
Elevating Voices: Community Media Center showcases locally produced videos exploring identity, race, disability at Wealthy Theatre
by (George)
Submitted 04-18-2017 under PLACE-MATTERS
On Wednesday night, Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRCMC) will present a special showcase of video productions created during the Elevating Voices project. Elevating Voices is a multi-year project of GRCMC created to raise the visibility of...
UICA hosts founder of Jim Crow Museum to discuss race, art
by (KCAD)
Submitted 04-18-2017 under NONPROFITS
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts features gallery exhibitions of work from regional, national and international artists throughout the year and hosts a range of events including concerts, performance art, artist receptions and gallery talks...