communityconversations
Aquinas College and the need for more LGBTQIA inclusivity
by (mariahcaitlin)
Submitted 04-04-2017 under NEWS
Last month at Aquinas College, there was a viewing of the film "Desire of the Everlasting Hills:" an anti-LGBTQIA movie which highlights celibacy as the only appropriate lifestyle for LGBTQIA identifying individuals. I interviewed Emma...
Trans Day of Visibility enters ninth year of observance
by (finnmarcks)
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...
Faces of the Grand Rapids housing crisis: Carla Dentmond
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 03-21-2017 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...
Family unity: Why I march for our undocumented community
by (Erica Soto)
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...
The Rapid should make it easy for people to get their change back
by (Emmanuel Zavala)
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...
WYCE honors late Dirk Koning at Jammies XVIII
by (Carol Shirey)
Submitted 02-21-2017 under NONPROFITS
It’s fitting that the reverb from a local band was still fading into the crowded venue when Kelly Koning-Ramic and Shaun Koning took the stage of the WYCE Jammies on a recent Friday evening to honor their late father. Kelly and Shaun weren...
My fellow Grand Rapidians, we can't afford to remain silent
by (Kelly Koning)
Submitted 01-31-2017 under OPINION
Please, do not be upset with those who raise their voices against the injustices in our country, for that is the truest form of democracy. Following my attendance to the Women’s March on Saturday, January 21 in Washington, D.C., I am feeling...
Return from the Women's March brings new perspectives
by (Queenofgr)
Submitted 01-24-2017 under OPINION
In the days before the Women’s March on Washington, I started receiving messages from family members and friends expressing concerns for my safety. Those concerns heightened on Friday, when activists became violent, reckless, and...
Why I'm marching in the Women's March on Washington
by (Queenofgr)
Submitted 01-17-2017 under OPINION
I am not a sore loser. I am not a delicate snowflake. I am not an <insert insulting epithet here>. I am a human being. And, I am marching because I feel inspired. Inspired to lock arms with thousands of my fellow humans who all...
Equity issues: Entrepreneur Adriane Johnson speaks out
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 01-10-2017 under OPINION
Part 4 During a recent roundtable discussion with local small business owners, hosted by MiBiz, the all-white panel brought up the large economic gap between people of color and whites in Grand Rapids. As I continue the conversation in...