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Author Archives: Jeff Smith (GRIID)
Print Celebrates 1960s Freedom Rider from Grand Rapids, Walter Bergman
Over two years ago, we posted an article about Walter Bergman, a university professor from Michigan, who was badly beaten while participating in the Freedom Rides in 1960. In that article we honored the commitment and sacrifice that Dr. Bergman … Continue reading
The Black Community made demands of the Grand Rapids Police Department in 1970
There is ample evidence that African Americans in Grand Rapids have always been the target of intimidation, harassment and violence from law enforcement. This history plagues the black community today, with recent incidents of police traumatizing black youth who were … Continue reading
Artwork depicts the very public display of White Supremacy in Grand Rapids 1925
A new print by Jamari Taylor, depicts the blatant display of White Supremacy in Grand Rapids in 1925, when the KKK organized a parade on the city’s westside. This new artwork communicates a powerful message about the Klan, which turned … Continue reading
Two Prints honor 1990s Feminist organization – Womyn’s Action Network
The Womyn’s Action Network (WAN) only lasted for three years (1992 – 1995) in Grand Rapids, but their impact was significant. Two new prints honor the work of WAN. The first print, created by Natalie Schunk, pays homage to the … Continue reading
New Print captures the anti-war organizing during the 2003 US invasion/occupation of Iraq
In 2003, there was a group called the Grand Rapids People’s Alliance for Justice, which was the main anti-war organizing group in Grand Rapids opposing the US invasion/occupation of Iraq. This group had begun to organize in response to the … Continue reading
GR Press Coverage of the 1963 March on Detroit & Washington
Our last post looked at the Grand Rapids Press editorials on the 1963 March on Washington, with the main editorial practicing what we name as a form of white paternalism. Today’s post takes a look at the GR Press coverage … Continue reading
White Paternalism and the Grand Rapids Press Editorial on the 1963 March on Washington
In Jeanne Theoharis’s important book, A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History, makes the point that we often look back to events like the 1963 march on Washington and think that the majority … Continue reading
