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Opinion

 

Exploring lesser-known venues pays off for serious art lovers

Submitted 10-04-2016 under OPINION

Grand Rapids Art Museum, DeVos Place, UICA, The B.O.B. If you’re thinking about heading downtown to ArtPrize, one of these destinations is likely on your list. Visiting big venues that host multiple artists makes sense if you’re looking...

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Urban experiences are important to the development of well-rounded kids

Submitted 09-29-2016 under OPINION

This week my ten-year-old daughter told me that one of her friends said that she didn’t want to go to a concert in Detroit because “there were so many shootings there.” My daughter questioned this statement because our family has...

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Billy Joel or Elton John? Jim Witter gives you both and more to open the Grand Rapids Symphony's 2016-17 Pops Series

Submitted 09-27-2016 under OPINION

Billy Joel or Elton John? It’s a musical variation of the question, “Coke or Pepsi?” Which musician do you prefer? The two piano-playing, singer/songwriters have a lot in common with dozens of hit songs and millions of records sold...

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Open letter to Forest Hills Public Schools superintendent from equity leaders, parents and alumni

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...

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Forest Hills flag incident is teachable moment for adults: Consider the realities of others before acting

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...

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Why Grand Rapids Public Schools parents should give school lunch a chance

Submitted 09-19-2016 under OPINION

For the past four years, I have volunteered as a Healthy Eating Coach at GRPS’ Congress Elementary. My job was to encourage students to try the fruits and vegetables served as part of the school lunch program. Most students willingly tried...

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A regular Tuesday night: The evolution of the city narrative

Submitted 09-15-2016 under OPINION

On the evening of Tuesday, September 13, 2016, the citizens of Grand Rapids found themselves with several options for engaging with community. This is not unusual. As the school year begins, many of us settle into a routine that may include sports,...

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The big picture: When you teach your kids racism, they will perform

Submitted 09-13-2016 under OPINION

This past weekend I found myself at a conference in New York City discussing economic mobility for young people and scratching my head at the rhetoric being pushed by presenters and how conference planners seemingly erased the fact that disparity...

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Roosevelt Park releases community video of their own

Submitted 09-13-2016 under OPINION

How exciting it is to see the wonderful things happening when a community is united. I’ve always said that whenever we encounter a negative experience, there are lessons to be learned and move on. This was the case for the Southwest...

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In order to heal, communities must listen

Submitted 08-16-2016 under OPINION

Each day I wake up, I am confronted with a singular truth; the world that lies outside my front door has no space for my pain. Not only is it void of space for my pain, my ability to achieve economic mobility and professional success essentially...

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