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Recent Posts
- New Interview for the GRPS Uncovered podcast
- New GRPS Uncovered podcast for 7/7/2025
- Radical Grand Rapids: Places, Dates, Actions and People
- New book by long time community activist Paul Mayhue: Another Brother in The Struggle
- New Grand Rapids podcast sheds light on the history of the Grand Rapids Public Schools
Category Archives: Anti-Capitalism/Labor
When the Public Museum became the Van Andel Museum
his article is reprinted from a January/February 1995 issue of the independent Grand Rapids newspaper, The FUNdamentalist. It is based on a flyer that was handed out during the opening of the Van Andel Public Museum on November 19, 1994. … Continue reading
Posted in Anti-Capitalism/Labor, Indy Media
Tagged Amway fraud, Jay Van Andel, Van Andel Museum
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How the 1936-37 Wildcat Strike in Flint impacted Labor organizing in Grand Rapids
It is not said often enough, that when people engage in direct action, it not only can get immediate results, it can inspire others to take similar action. When people become aware of the courageous acts of others, it often … Continue reading
An Apologist for Christian Capitalism: Charles Sligh Jr.
In recent decades it has become common knowledge that Grand Rapids is home to businesses and organizations that promote the idea that capitalism and christianity are good bedfellows. The poster-child for such a belief would have to be the founders … Continue reading
Defending Wealth from the Pulpit in 1996
Systems of power always have their own priests to sanction their actions. This has been especially true of monotheistic traditions throughout history and for Christianity in particular in West Michigan. For anyone who reads this website it is clear that … Continue reading
Racism and Anti-Immigration has a long history in Grand Rapids
The recent decision by Governor Snyder to not accept refugees from Syria has had mixed reaction across the state. There have also been many editorials and Facebook comments and postings that have sought to put in context the history of … Continue reading
Working Class Families were simply forced to move: Consequences of highway Construction in Grand Rapids from the late 1950s through early 1960s
Like many things we assume are the norm, highways are a relatively new phenomenon in human history. Highway construction through Grand Rapids was first proposed after WWII as part of the Eisenhower administration’s interstate highway construction program, know as the National … Continue reading
The Wall of Fame: Wealth and Influence at GVSU
When reading radical historian Howard Zinn’s, A People’s History of the United States, it becomes clear early on that one can not talk about social movements without talking about the power structures that those movements fought against. Whether it was … Continue reading
When Grand Rapids Saw Red: Early Grand Rapids Labor History Part II
(This is Part II of a two part series by local labor historian Michael Johnston. Click here for Part I) It didn’t matter that he was dressed in his army uniform, medals for heroism pinned to his front shirt pocket. … Continue reading
Early Labor History in Grand Rapids, Part I
(This is an article written by local labor historian Michael Johnston and is re-printed with permission from the author.) In 1900 Grand Rapids was a bustling river town, not fully settled, but no longer frontier. The red light district was … Continue reading
Grand Rapids People's History Project 