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Nuns and Nones: Conversation at intersection of contemporary religious, secular life

Submitted 04-11-2017 under OPINION

A few months ago, I wrote two articles on the trend in American religious life that has been dubbed by Pew Research as “the Rise of the ‘Nones.’” This language of the “Nones” is an umbrella term meant to...

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In Grand Rapids, equity work is co-opted for influence

Submitted 04-07-2017 under OPINION

In the age of co-opted movements for the sake of advertisements gone terribly wrong (hey Pepsi, what's good?), the best way to look at a community’s commitment to equity is to look at the way it treats its organizers. My time in Grand...

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Movie review: "I Am Not Your Negro"

Submitted 04-04-2017 under OPINION

Was there ever a more elegant, even feline, writer than James Baldwin? It does him a great disservice to say he should be read because to do so is good for the reader; he isn’t kale. His legacy owes as much to his stylish prose as to his...

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When grown men point loaded weapons at 12-year-old boys, none of us should sleep well at night

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:...

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Trans Day of Visibility enters ninth year of observance

Submitted 03-28-2017 under OPINION

As March 31st fast approaches, International Transgender Day of Visibility will be celebrating its ninth year of observance.   TDoV is an annual holiday celebrated around the globe, dedicated to celebrating the successes and accomplishments of...

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How far will we go to prioritize equity in Grand Rapids?

Submitted 03-24-2017 under OPINION

Two important equity meetings happened in downtown Grand Rapids on Thursday morning. Equity issues in development At City Hall, a panel of experts presented their findings on equity - or the lack of it - in the use of public land and incentives in...

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Family unity: Why I march for our undocumented community

Submitted 03-07-2017 under OPINION

There are so many beautiful qualities in the people who come to this country from different areas of the world. We are all foreigners to billions of people, but in the words of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, “Diversity is our strength...

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Grand Rapids Symphony's Marcelo Lehninger leads orchestra in picturesque adventure into the future

Submitted 03-06-2017 under OPINION

Imagine a day at an amusement park with wild rides, unusual sights, new experiences and surprises around every corner. That gives some insight into the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Classical series concerts “Pictures at an Exhibition”...

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The Rapid should make it easy for people to get their change back

Submitted 02-28-2017 under OPINION

I got on the bus to get home from high school. I take The Rapid everyday to and from City Middle High School. The bus got to the stop at Plainfield and Knapps at 3:04 so my friends get on the bus and then I got on. I put my student 10-ride bus pass...

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Big voice of Lalah Hathaway, big sound of Grand Rapids Symphony, sell out 'Symphony with Soul' in DeVos Hall

Submitted 02-23-2017 under OPINION

The Grand Rapids Symphony set out 15 years ago to do something it had never done before - fill the better part of DeVos Performance Hall with people who likely had never been to a symphony orchestra concert before. Fill it they did on Saturday,...

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