Racism
Partners for a Racism-Free Community host "Loving" movie premiere, post movie discussion
by (balexander)
Submitted 11-22-2016 under PLACE-MATTERS
On Sunday, November 27, 2016, Partners for a Racism-Free Community in partnership with Celebration! Cinema will be hosting a screening and post movie discussion on the movie "Loving." The story of Richard and Mildred Loving is as poetic as...
Response to Mayor Bliss: Real kindness requires justice
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 11-15-2016 under OPINION
Dear Mayor Bliss, I hear that your heart is heavy about the recent increase in blatant prejudice and bigotry. We are all saddened and want to help create a safe space for our neighbors of color, for our residents who have immigrated, for those who...
Statement from Mayor Bliss: Respecting and supporting each other
by (Mayor Rosalynn Bliss)
Submitted 11-14-2016 under NEWS
Hello Friends and Neighbors: Now that a few days have passed since the election, my heart is heavy as I hear from many of our fellow residents who have been subjected to hateful, racist, sexist and/or homophobic comments - comments made to them...
While you were fighting race, we were fighting hate
by (balexander)
Submitted 11-11-2016 under OPINION
I am not an idealist; I’m a realist. I don’t pretend to see things that are not real and I constantly confront false truths when presented with narratives that seek to confuse and misinform. With that in mind, I write this piece out of a...
Voting for Kent County Sheriff: Stelma feels "Fortunate race has not been an issue"
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 10-28-2016 under NEWS
Here are the first parts of Michael Scruggs' and Lawrence Stelma's interviews. The issue of race When asked if the question of race affects the election, Stelma didn’t think it was an issue. “We have a...
Voting for Kent County Sheriff: Scruggs focuses on reducing incarceration
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 10-28-2016 under NEWS
Here are the first parts of Michael Scruggs' and Lawrence Stelma's interviews. Bringing a new perspective to the Sheriff’s office Given the historical context of the first part of his interview, Scruggs has some clear ideas about the...
In age of Trump candidacy, understanding racism is crucial
by (prfcgr)
Submitted 10-11-2016 under NONPROFITS
On October 18, Partners for a Racism-Free Community will host the first part of a new series we have launched called Building Blocks centered on understanding the fundamentals of racism. In our particular line of work, we know addressing racism...
Student behind viral photo offers solutions during GVSU visit
by (fleuryj)
Submitted 10-06-2016 under NEWS
Leighton Watson, a 2014 graduate of the historically-black undergraduate college Howard University, is a West Michigan native who served as an advisor on President Obama’s Taskforce on 21st Century Policing during the Ferguson crisis. He...
Open letter to Forest Hills Public Schools superintendent from equity leaders, parents and alumni
by (Jeremy Moore)
Submitted 09-20-2016 under OPINION
Dear Superintendent Daniel Behm & the Forest Hills Board of Education: Mary Vonck Martha Atwater Susan Lenhardt Walter F. Perschbacher III Suzanne Callahan Michael Seekell Douglas Josephson It is with great concern that we write you...
Forest Hills flag incident is teachable moment for adults: Consider the realities of others before acting
by (balexander)
Submitted 09-20-2016 under OPINION
Growing up, I was never allowed to play with toy guns; this restriction came without explanation or justification. That was the way it was. I was once gifted this really cool wooden rubber band gun – it was placed in the trash. Anything...