Don’t be fooled by the same old bullshit that the group Thrive and Prosper is promoting in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is synonymous with the phrase West Michigan Nice. West Michigan Nice is an ironic reference to the fact that while people and institutions might appear to be polite, in reality they look down on people with contempt or paternalism, especially those people made vulnerable by systems of power and oppression.

Therefore, the label of West Michigan Nice could aptly be given to the recently created group known as Thrive and Prosper. Yes, Thrive and Prosper. Sounds like a get rich quick scheme or a cult or just simply the logical outcome of how Grand Rapids deals with everything. The group’s mission statement is a clear indication of what they are really about:

We’re a collective of local businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, community organizations, faith organizations and residents with
a shared vision.

Change cannot be achieved in a vacuum. It needs collaboration, and for those involved to plan intentionally for actions that actually make a difference to people in our communities.

We must find the answers by working together, because if we’re going to build a city where everyone can thrive and prosper, we need everyone involved in finding solutions.

We believe that opportunity is a result of access to a certain set of circumstances. And by removing barriers, we can improve access and spur economic vitality for all. But change is hard.

Great. We all just need to remove barriers – conveniently not named – and then opportunities will just open up for people to prosper and thrive. Sweet Jesus! First, the group is made up of the usual suspects, as is reflected in their Partners in the Work list, shown above. You have groups that are members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, government entities that collaborate with them, and members of the Non-Profit Industrial Complex, which helps to deliver people who might benefit from the limited amount of wealth creation. The only outside entity is Stand Together, which is a creation of the Koch Brothers.

Thrive and Prosper is just the latest iteration of the talent development and entrepreneurial pipeline that will allow a small sector of the local population to make money and be successful. The problem with this tired old approach is that it is just another manifestation of Capitalism 101, where given the right opportunity, you too can be financially successful.

Of course, the problem is that only a small percentage of Grand Rapids will Thrive and Prosper, since wealth creation under this model always requires profit making from cheap labor and the extraction of natural resources. 

Thrive and Prosper will only benefit a few people, who will ultimately have to play the game created by members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure. However, the few that will Thrive and Prosper will also have to abandon their communities, since you can’t thrive and prosper without causing others hardship, poverty and despair. Welcome to West Michigan Nice!