On October 13, 2009, I officially became a citizen reporter. I submitted a video of the hip hop group Flying Without Wingz performing at Rock Out 2 Come Out, a large LGBTQIA event hosted by Speak Equal at Rosa Parks Circle.
What I thought would be a once and a while occurrence turned into an obsession. I liked the hyperlocal aspect of The Rapidian, especially the freedom it gave me to write about issues that the local mainstream media would not cover. Too often articles that come out of Grand Rapids, depending on the media outlet, tend to be “West Michigan nice.”
The Rapidian has given myself and others a voice in which we can express the inconvenient truths that Grand Rapidians tend to shy away from. I utilized the platform to write on a wide array of subjects from local historical events to going undercover as a homeless vet and sleeping on the streets for three days. For my work I was awarded the 2010 Volunteer of the Year award from the Community Media Center, which motivated me further to push the potential of my articles.
The articles I have written for The Rapidian has led me down many paths that I would not normally travel. It has allowed me to gain a better understanding of people’s perspectives and has allowed me to meet many individuals along the way. Some of them are now close friends who I have collaborated with in order to change policy in the city.
That’s what makes the Rapidian so special to Grand Rapids. It gives anyone an opportunity to express themselves- regardless of whether or not they have a journalism background. I wrote for The Rapidian because of the intrinsic value it gave me knowing that I was helping my community by bringing issues and ideas to the forefront.
Reflecting back on all the articles people have published over the years it is hard to imagine Grand Rapids before The Rapidian. So many individuals have added such phenomenal content that would not have been possible without this media platform.
It is important for our community to recognize the importance of having a voice on The Rapidian. It would be my hope that more people step up to the plate and write hard hitting articles that initiate the crucial conversations that need to be had in this city. Many nonprofits, grassroots organizations and advocates already rely on the Rapidian to carry their message to the masses.
That is why it is so crucial for individuals and organizations to support the Rapidian so others can continue to have a voice at the table.
The Rapidian cannot exist without financial support. Unlike many present day digital media platforms it resists the urge to inundate you with ads while you attempt to read the content. Yet it still requires an annual budget of nearly $100,000 in order to keep it operational. This is why it is so important that the community continue to support The Rapidian.
We must continue to give citizen reporters the opportunity to dig into the fabric of our city to shed light on the issues that matter.
Donate now and keep The Rapidian powered by the people.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.
