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Opinion

 

ArtPrize artist Nick Reszetar's portrait series challenges beliefs on community, diversity

Submitted 10-01-2014 under OPINION

Nick Reszetar's "100 Drawn Portraits in a Year: An Exploration of My Community" is a compelling and emotionally-moving set of portraits that challenges our notions of identity, community and diversity. Reszetar's ArtPrize entry is...

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Critical Discourse on Detroit: Design 99's neighborhood work as artists

Submitted 10-01-2014 under OPINION

Mitch Cope of Design 99 speaks almost reverently of opening an envelope he found in the attic of 13208 Klinger Street in Detroit to discover two perfectly preserved pigeon wings. “The hair stood up on the back of my neck,” he recounts....

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West Michigan Cooperative expands offerings to members

Submitted 09-25-2014 under OPINION

On Wednesday night, September 24, the West Michigan Cooperative held a fall harvest picnic for its members as part of its expansion of services and community building.   Caryn Rasch, one of the co-op’s board members, was on site to help...

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Reconstructing history: artists create community inside SiTE:LAB @ The Morton

Submitted 09-21-2014 under OPINION

In the once empty halls and parlors of the old Morton House, a village is growing. A community of artists are crafting their installations inside the stripped down spaces, even as Rockford Construction continues redevelopment work on the upper...

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Open letter to our leaders: time to prohibit use of wild animals in entertainment

Submitted 09-19-2014 under OPINION

I recently sent the following letter to the Mayor and our City Commissioners as part of the End Circus Cruelty campaign, in which a significant and rapidly growing number of concerned Grand Rapidians are asking the city to pass an ordinance that...

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Seeing positive reflections in Grand River planning

Submitted 09-11-2014 under OPINION

I love water. So I guess it’s not a surprise that once I came to Michigan I stayed. Water has been the focus of my work and play for over 20 years, with much of that on the mighty Grand River itself. When I moved to Grand Rapids in the 80...

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Legalization of urban chickens shows desire for integrated, secure food systems

Submitted 09-08-2014 under OPINION

Editor's note: Joel Salatin, author of multiple books and a third-generation alternative farmer and sought-after conference speaker, has become known as "America's most influential farmer" after public discovery of...

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Problem by any other name:"Growth," racism in Grand Rapids

Submitted 09-08-2014 under OPINION

Grand Rapids, we gotta talk. As a local activist and organizer, in the past year and a half alone I have organized or helped organize three demonstrations to show solidarity against and bring visibility to racialized police brutality and violence...

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KT Killin' Them: changing the direction of hip hop

Submitted 08-24-2014 under OPINION

Kurtis Burke, known as KT Killin' Them, is not satisfied with, nor is he following in the direction the rap game is currently going in, and he wants to help be the change. His style is simple: no cussing, and no nonsense. While some rappers are...

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Sucker punch: How police control of media in Ferguson affects us all

Submitted 08-14-2014 under OPINION

This morning's news coming from Ferguson, Mo. was a sucker punch to my stomach. I read of journalists being asked to leave. Many stayed, holding to their honorable role in society. They were consequently being harassed, arrested or...

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