systemic racism
Human trafficking in Grand Rapids continues amid pandemic
by (Brett)
Submitted 07-10-2020 under LOCAL LIFE
As Grand Rapidians and Americans continue openly confronting the issues of COVID-19 and systemic racism, the issue of human trafficking lingers on behind the scenes. It’s an issue not disconnected from the pandemic’s impacts or centuries...
Faith communities call for racial justice: A Jewish reflection
by (Kaufman Interfa...)
Submitted 06-19-2020 under NONPROFITS
Note from Douglas Kindschi, Director Faith communities from Minneapolis to Washington to the Vatican have joined the chorus responding to the protests with calls for racial justice. Evangelical responses in Minneapolis included helping in...
Family traumatized after bail bondsman break-in, no police protection
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 12-13-2017 under NEWS
There are two front doors at the Wilkerson house on Eastern Avenue. The first leads to the front porch, but a quick look shows the wood is splintered: the broken lock sits at an angle and often catches as Barbara Wilkerson tries to open or close it...
Community listening sessions: What will you say about policing?
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 06-09-2017 under OPINION
The Grand Rapids City Commission is earmarking a possible $1 million a year for the next five years for "police and community relations." They are waiting on input from a series of “Community Listening meetings" to decide how to...
Mothers of boys stopped at gunpoint by police, 'trying to make change'
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 04-06-2017 under NEWS
It’s been over a week since five African-American boys, age 12 to 14 years, were stopped at gunpoint by a police officer as they walked home from playing basketball at the Kroc Center on Division in Grand Rapids. IKeshia Quinn, a mother of two...
When grown men point loaded weapons at 12-year-old boys, none of us should sleep well at night
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 03-29-2017 under OPINION
Last night, I couldn't sleep. It was 2 a.m., but my mind was still at the City Commission meeting, where three mothers told the story of their sons - 12 to 14 years in age - being stopped at gunpoint by police. (Their comments are at about 31:...
Faces of the Grand Rapids housing crisis: Chanae Jackson
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 03-24-2017 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Homes for All met last Friday night at Baxter Community Center to talk about the housing crisis and gentrification in Grand Rapids. In this meeting, residents had an opportunity to join the Tenant Union, brainstorm ideas about...