Michigan Democrats continue to ignore immigrant demands despite promises to pass the Drive Safe bills
As the immigrant community prepares for the threat of mass deportation coming from the incoming Trump Administration, the Democratic Party doesn’t appear to have kept their promise to pass the Drive Safe legislation to allow undocumented immigrants the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license.
On Tuesday, the group We the People held a rally on the steps of the State Capitol in Lansing to once again demand that the State Legislature pass the Drive Safe bills. MLive reported on this action, which included comments from the affected community.
We the People, a coalition of civil society groups and Movimiento Cosecha have been pushing to get the Drive Safe bills passed for numerous years, especially since the beginning of 2023, when Democrats gain full control of the State Legislature. And despite the promises from Democrats that they would pass the Drive Safe bills, Democrats have not even held a hearing on the matter in the House or the Senate.
The MLive article also include an interesting comment from State Representative Rachel Hood (D), who has a few weeks before they end their term in office. The MLive reporter wrote that Rep. Hood, “has said there was previously enough support among Democrats to pass the bills in the House but a few members broke support after the election.”
One question we should be asking is why? Why have some Democrats broke support after the election. It would seem to this writer that during the Lame Duck session, while Democrats still have control, they could pass the Drive Safe bills and keep their promise to immigrants throughout the state. All of this sounds very similar to the Michigan Democratic Party’s failure to adopt 9 bills during the Lame Duck period, bills that would benefit renters. GRIID reported on this matter in a November 14th article entitled, The Rent is Too Damn High Coalition gives Michigan Democrats a 30 Day Notice on passing bills that would benefit tenants.
In that article I wrote:
There were a few tenant activists that met with Rep. Kristian Grant (Grand Rapids), since she chairs the Housing Committee. One of the persons who met with Grant told me that she felt that it was only be possible to pass 2 or three of the nine bills that were introduced over the past 12 months. Part of the problem, according to Rep. Grant, was that there were several Democratic Party lawmakers that were not showing up legislative session, specifically the ones who lost in the November 5th Election.
During the information session at the church, one of the Lansing tenant organizers share a story about Rep. Joe Tate, who had called one of the Rental Property Owner Associations and apologize that these bills had been introduced, but that he did not intend to pass them. Lastly, there was also some discussion from other organizers, which stated that they had heard that Gov. Whitmer did not want to sign any of these bills into law, since it could negatively impact her ability to run for President in 2028.
The Democrat’s unwillingness to have a spine is infuriating to lots of people and especially to those most affected, like the immigrant community. Despite the Democratic Party’s lack of courage, Movimiento Cosecha is going to continue to fight for driver’s licenses.
On Thursday, December 5th Movimiento Cosecha will be going to the Lansing State Capitol to continue to demand that the Democrats pass the Drive Safe bills during the Lame Duck session. Details of their action can be found at this Facebook event link.
If you are unable to come to Lansing with Movimiento Cosecha on Thursday, please contact your state officials to demand that they pass the Drive Safe bills, which will allow undocumented immigrants the opportunity to obtain driver’s license, which will put them at less risk of deportation. If you care about the well being of immigrants, then take action now!
In today’s West Michigan Far Right Watch there are two examples I want to look at, both of which involve organizations that have consistently embraced far right principles and practices.
When I use the term Far Right, I mean any group that engages in structural or systemic harm, harm that is disproportionately directed at the most vulnerable communities in West Michigan – BIPOC communities, immigrants, working class families, LGBTQ+ communities, dissidents, etc.
The first group I want to look at is the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, a group that GRIID has written about a great deal in recent years.
In the GR Chamber’s news section of their website, posted on November 19th of this year, they use the heading, Lame Duck Bills Inch Forward. As we all know, the Michigan State Legislator is now in its Lame Duck period, which began after the November 5th election. After the beginning of 2025, the Democrats will no longer have control of the state legislation, but they could pass numerous bills right now if they chose to.
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce lists six bills on their website, two of which they support, while the other 7 bills they oppose. The only bill they support are the Earned Sick Time and Tipped Credit bills, known as House Bill 6057) and House Bill 6056). The GR Chamber of Commerce supports these two House Bills because they would amend earlier versions which were more worker friendly and put more pressure on businesses. The GR Chamber of Commerce always supports the business class, so naturally they would endorse these two bills.
Here are the 7 bills they oppose, followed by a brief description:
- Senate Bill 1079 – this bill has to do with worker compensation.
- Senate Bill 1022 – this bill will amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) and remove the regulatory compliance exemption for businesses. The GR Chamber of Commerce hates when businesses are regulated.
- Senate Bill 740 and Senate Bill 740 – these bills would allow for an apprentice to journey/master plumber or electrical licensee regardless of how long they are on the job.
- Senate Bill 660 – this bill authorizes local governments to adopt a stormwater management utility fee similar to municipal water and sewage bills. It’s essentially a rain tax on impermeable properties targeting businesses and property owners for rainwater runoff.
- Senate Bills 963-965 & House Bill 5594 – these bills will modify the Youth Employment Standards Act and increase penalties for businesses that violate the Act. I guess the GR Chamber opposes regulations that will impose penalties on businesses that exploit youth workers.
The second example of Far Right thinking comes to us from the Acton Institute, specifically an article that appeared the day before Thanksgiving entitled, How Trade Saved the Pilgrims, and the U.S.
The Acton Institute believes that Capitalism is the most humane economic system in history, thus the Acton writer in this post goes out of the way to convince the readers that the white European settlers engaged in trade with Indigenous people, which helped both parties and was the foundation of creating the United State of America.
At one point in the revisionist history post, the Acton writer states:
“The mutually beneficial trade had a greater impact beyond avoiding conflict with the Wampanoags. It convinced others back home that trade could make North American colonies economically viable. This led to the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony which, British author Nick Bunker explained, sought to expand this “business model” on a larger scale, beginning with the founding of New Boston in 1630. The more trade-friendly colony soon had three-times as many members as the older Plymouth colony.”
It is instructive that all scholarly sources cited in this article are not only affirming the claim that trade between Pilgrims and Indigenous people was good, but all of those sources cited are non-Indigenous people. However, the most egregious omission in the Acton Institute article is the complete failure to acknowledge the genocide that had begun at the hands of the Pilgrims against the several of the Indigenous nations in what is now the New England states.
Regarding the Thanksgiving story, Native author/activist Nick Estes in his book, Our History is the Future:
Thanksgiving is the quintessential origin story a settler nation tells itself: “peace” was achieved between Natives and settlers at Plymouth, Massachusetts, where Mayflower pilgrims established a colony in 1620, over roast turkey and yams. To consummate the wanton slaughter of some 700 Pequots, in 1637 the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, William Bradford, proclaimed that Thanksgiving Day be celebrated “in honor of the bloody victory, thanking God that the battle had been won.” Peace on stolen land is borne of genocide.
Another important source on what happened between the Pilgrims and the Indigenous nations in the Northeast part of what is now the US, is from Indigenous scholar Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, in her book, “All The Real Indians Died Off”, And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans.
You can see why I chose these 2 examples for this edition of West Michigan Far Right Watch, since one of them opposes even the mildest legislative reforms that would benefit working class families, and the other example that completely omits the genocidal acts committed by the Pilgrims, all to justify the beginning of trade policy and capitalism in the 17th Century.
We need to understand the history of US immigration policy if we are going to resist the Trump threat of mass deportation
The incoming Trump administration’s threat to engage in mass deportation is the first time a US President has threatened to deport all undocumented people. However, it is important that we understand that deportation has been a long standing strategy used by numerous US administrations for more than 100 years.
Deportations tend tp happen when the US economy is failing most working class people, like during the period right before and right after the 1929 global depression. Deportations have also used xenophobia and racial discrimination as a justification for forcibly removing people from the country.
After the US adopted the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, there was an increase of people from Mexico fleeing economic hardship. The Clinton Administration was the first US president to aggressively militarize the US/Mexican border, which did not necessarily prevent people from entering, but it did force immigrants to cross the border in more remote area, often at great risk.
US economic and military policy towards Mexico and Central America caused massive displacement of many people from those countries, many of which came to the US. There was been an increase of people from the south coming to the US since the 1992 NAFTA agreement, and along with that every administration since – George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden – have used deportation as a strategy. Barack Obama was often referred to as the “Deporter in Chief”, while the first Trump Administration and the Biden Administration continued that trend.
It is true that the rhetoric from the first Trump Administration and the incoming Trump Administration is vile, but he is not the first US President to refer to undocumented immigrants as “illegal”, nor is he the first US President to use fear and xenophobia to get regular Americans to hate immigrants.
I have taught classes on US immigration policy for several years and I am willing to continue to offer educational session with community groups, churches, non-profits and any other group that wants to have a more robust understanding of the history of US immigration policy over the past 250 years.
I am offering to do the following for organizations, community groups, non-profits and faith communities that want to learn more about the history of US immigration policy. At this link is a Popular Education tool that I use with those who are interested in learning more. These slides are visuals that are accompanied by sections of numerous books that can assist us in developing a more critical analysis of US immigration policy.
I can offer the following educational opportunities:
- A three hour workshop on the history of US immigration policy
- A three session class on the history of US immigration policy
- An 8 week class on the history of US immigration policy
If you are part of a non-profit, a faith community, a grassroots group or any other organization that wants to learn more about the history of US immigration policy, then please reach out to me and we can talk about what would work best for your group. You can contact me at sjeff987@gmail.com.
GRIID has been following this development proposal from the billionaire families of DeVos & Van Andel, known as the Fulmar Property Holdings project, located at Fulton and Market at the south end of downtown Grand Rapids.
After the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, where a Public Hearing was held on the matter, I wrote:
The back and forth with City Commissioners and the developer lasted an additional 13 minutes, which means that before the public got to speak, we had to sit through 44 minutes of people talking about how great this project would be for the city and how the rest of us are just stupid. When it finally became time for the public comment portion, the number of those that spoke in opposition to this project was 32, while only 5 spoke in favor.
There have also been 1000 electronic messages sent to Grand Rapids City officials, which was from an Action Alert by the Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union. You can still sign this action alert by using this link.
However, after looking at the agenda’s for the City’s Committee of the Whole meeting that will be held on Tuesday morning (December 3rd), I read that there is a resolution in the agenda packet for the 10am meeting, which you can find here. The resolution states, in part:
Your COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE recommends adoption of the following resolution approving a transformational brownfield plan of the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for the Fulton and Market Transformational Brownfield Plan at 3, 17, 21, 37, 41, 45, 47, 53, and 63 Market Avenue SW, and 216 Fulton Street W and authorizing an Affordable Housing Agreement.
Later on in the resolution it goes on to say under point #2 of the section headed Resolved:
The City Commission hereby determines that it is int he best interests of the public to promote the revitalization of certain properties in the City and to proceed with the Plan.
I have to ask the obvious, which public are Grand Rapids City Officials referring to? If by public, they must be referring to the billionaire families of DeVos and Van Andel. The billionaire public will received over half a billion in tax incentives for a project that will make them billions over the next decade, especially when you factor the rent costs for the nearly 600 apartments, the 76 condos, the 130 room hotel and all the other businesses that will be housed in the 3 tower project.
With the decision, a decision that seems to already be determined, the City of Grand Rapids is choosing to give over half a billion in tax incentives to the billionaire families of DeVos & Van Andel, plus it will provide them and other businesses in the downtown area an opportunity to expand their profits.
However, this decision by Grand Rapids City officials also means that they don’t care about the well being of the thousands of residents who can’t afford a home, those who pay outrageously high rental fees, make poverty level wages, are food insecure, and living paycheck to paycheck. Grand Rapids City officials are deciding to widen the wealth gap and sanction economic hardship for a large sector of the residents of this city.
Dissecting the Amway talking points used for buying the naming rights to the Grand Rapids soccer stadium
As GRIID reported on November 18th, it should have been no surprise to anyone that the yet to be constructed soccer stadium would be named the Amway Stadium.
Earlier this year, GRIID also wrote that people should have known that the DeVos family would want to see one of their corporation’s names on the new stadium, right after Dan DeVos purchased the property on Pearl Street, where the Big Boy restaurant sits, that the location of the new stadium would end up there.
In today’s post, I want to dissection a recent interview done by the online platform known as GR&Riverfront, which is essentially a collaboration between various members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, to promote projects, businesses and tourist attractions along the Grand River.
GR&Riverfront recently interviewed the CEO of Amway, Michael Nelson, on the DeVos company’s decision to buy the naming rights to the new soccer stadium. I am posting the entire interview, which will include my own responses to the Amway CEO’s comments, which will begin with GRIID and the commentary in italics.
GR& Riverfront: What inspired Amway to make this significant commitment to the new downtown soccer stadium and to visibly connect the company to this venue?
Michael Nelson: Though our business spans the world, our home is West Michigan. It has been since Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel founded the company in 1959 – and always will be. This community is special to Amway and the 2,500+ employees that work in our Headquarters location in Ada.
That’s why we’re committed to ongoing investments in this community – its people and its success. We’re proud to support the vision of Grand Action 2.0 and to continue Amway’s legacy of community partnership. It’s an honor to have our name associated with such an exciting new landmark in Grand Rapids. GRIID – Amway, like all corporations, has as its primarily commitment to increase their profits. The legacy of Amway’s investment in Grand Rapids can be summed up in its relationship to Grand Action 2.0, which was co-founded by the DeVos and Van Andel families. Every project that Grand Action 2.0 has imposed on the City of Grand Rapids using massive amounts of public money without public input – the Van Andel Arena, the upgrade of the Civic Theater, the Convention Center, the Downtown Market, the Amphitheater and the Soccer Stadium, all came about primarily because of public funding, plus all of these venues have greatly expanded the profits of all of the hotels that the DeVos family owns in downtown GR. Public investment equals massive private profits for the Amway owners. This is their legacy.
GR&: Grand Rapids as a city, and Amway as a company, have great histories in sports. What is it about sports that brings people together – both in a region and via a company? What about that excites you with regards to this new stadium?
Michael: We are a people business, and sports bring people together. It’s often a source of community and connection – offering shared experiences and points of pride. Those ideas are part of Amway and the thousands of communities around the world that Amway Business Owners create.
While this will be the home of a new soccer club, the Amway Stadium will also provide much more – a hub for community interaction and healthy activity. Just like the team it houses, it will be something this community can feel proud of, because it will make Grand Rapids a destination for people to visit across Michigan and beyond. GRIID – The DeVos family does love sports, which is why they own the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Orlando Magic NBA team, the now defunct Grand Rapids Rampage, the Grand Rapids Rise (women’s volleyball team) and the Orlando Squeeze, a Major League Pickleball franchise owned by Ryan DeVos. As for the soccer team that will play in the new Amway Stadium, I would bet money that it will also be owned by the DeVos family. The DeVos family doesn’t care about community, they care about expanding their wealth, and owning sports teams is one way to do just that.
GR&: Many of Amway’s efforts in the region are focused on activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and togetherness, including the Amway River Bank Run. Why is this a focus and how does the soccer stadium connect to it?
Michael: Amway’s purpose is to help people live better, healthier lives. This is our promise to every community we serve – from Asia, to Europe, to South America, to our home in West Michigan. And Amway solutions are focused on supporting people’s health and wellbeing journey. Therefore, this soccer stadium is a natural fit!
Our Founders, Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos, believed that all of us are responsible for using our talents to make the world a better place. Supporting our community and working together have been key parts of Amway since 1959. Rich and Jay knew that a strong partnership, using our unique skills and talents toward a shared purpose, allows us to go far. West Michigan demonstrates this uniquely through the many public-private partnerships that occur, including the soccer stadium. GRIID – The purpose of Amway is to make profits for the DeVos and Van Andel families. Read the book, “Amway : The Cult of Free Enterprise,” by Stephen Butterfield, which provides investigative insight into the pyramid scheme that Amway was built on. Tens of thousands of people have lost everything and gone into bankruptcy while attempting to sell Amway products, which dismantles the notion that Amway wants to “help people live better.” In addition, the DeVos and Van Andel families have provide over $100 million in campaign contributions to political candidates, candidates that embrace Neo-Liberal economic policies, which have harmed countless lives, often subjecting them to poverty. Amway doesn’t care about the health of most people who live in West Michigan, they care about expanding their wealth and maintaining an ideological position that believes that their wealth is because of their commitment to God.
GR&: Thousands of Amway employees are based in western Michigan and many Amway Independent Business Owners visit regularly. What will this stadium mean for them?
Michael: For 65 years, Amway has been part of the West Michigan community. It’s where our Founders were born, started a business, and raised their own families. The Grand Rapids landscape was shaped through that support and regional commitment. We’re proud to have our name on a new regional landmark and to keep Rich and Jay’s commitment alive. We hope that our employees, Business Owners, and broader community see this not only as a commitment to our region, but also an investment in our health and wellbeing focus. GRIID – If the DeVos and Van Andel families were so committed to the health and well being of those living in Grand Rapids, then why did they sign on to supporting the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce ordinance proposal to criminalize the unhoused, then backed the City’s two ordinances that has clearly criminalized the unhoused in Grand Rapids?
GR&: Soccer is a global game that has grown greatly in popularity in the United States in recent decades. Does the global nature of the game and the global nature of the Amway business go hand-in-hand?
Michael: Amway operates in more than 100 countries and territories – with millions of passionate Amway Business Owners building health and wellbeing communities. We’re the #1 direct selling company in the world. And soccer is the #1 sport in the world – inspiring a unique comradery and community spirit. Supporting this soccer stadium is a great example of building community based on our unique values.
We know that we’re all stronger, and better, when communities come together and rally for a shared purpose. We’re excited to see what the future of West Michigan soccer holds. For our community, and for global fans of this great sport! GRIID – Of course Amway is the #1 global direct sales company. It’s because their get rich quick scheme has been able to con millions of poor people around the world that they too can make lots of money selling Amway products. The reality however, is that few people get rich from selling Amway products. The goal is really not to sell Amway products, but the idea of Amway and recruit as many people as possible to sell Amway products. Every person you convince to sell Amway products has to give you part of the sales, resulting in a small number getting super rich without having to do much work, while the majority of those who are actually selling Amway products will put their lives in financial jeopardy. This is the cold hard reality of Amway’s pyramid scheme, a scheme that is based on exploitation.
Palestine Solidarity Information, Analysis, Local Actions and Events for the week of December 1st
It has been almost 14 months since the Israeli government began their most recent assault on Gaza and the West Bank. The retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, has escalated to what the international community has called genocide, therefore, GRIID will be providing weekly links to information and analysis that we think can better inform us of what is happening, along with the role that the US government is playing. We will also provide information on local events and actions that people can get involved in. All of this information is to provide people with the capacity of what Noam Chomsky refers to as, intellectual self-defense.
Information
No More ‘Deals’ – What Palestinians Want and Will Fight to Achieve
Israel Has Killed Over 1,000 Doctors and Nurses in Gaza
Day 411: Stopping Israel’s weapons flow
Israeli Siege Leaves 130,000 Kids Trapped and at Risk of Starvation in Northern Gaza
ISRAEL AGREES TO STOP BOMBING LEBANON — SO IT CAN KEEP BOMBING GAZA
Israeli Total War Continues, with “No end in sight” for Palestinians in Gaza
In Gaza, Families Survive on Scraps of Bread and Contaminated Canned Food
Analysis & History
Norman Finkelstein: October 7th Revisited | Israel, Palestine, Hezbollah, & The End of Gaza
Image used in this post is from https://visualizingpalestine.org/visual/anti-palestinian-racism/.
Not only should we question the GRPD’s role in the death of Cortez McConer Jr, we should not allow Chief Winstrom to control the public narrative
Last Friday, numerous local news agencies reported that they had found the body of the missing teen, Cortez McConer Jr. GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom attempted to re-direct any responsibility that his department had anything to do with the cause of the teen’s death.
A relative of Cortez said last week in a statement:
“So, now, it boils down to GRPD doing their reporting to the news agencies. You know, it is so much more easier to point the finger than to acknowledge the media bias that is so evident.”
Chief Winstrom didn’t stop trying to dictate the narrative once the missing teen’s body was found. Early on Monday, MLive reported that there was going to be a vigil later that day at Godwin Heights High School, in honor of Cortez McConer Jr. However, Chief Winstrom could not resist another opportunity to control the narrative and center himself and the Grand Rapids Police Deaprtment, since he was the dominant source used in the MLive article and had the last word.
“This is not the outcome we had hoped for. On behalf of GRPD, we send our heartfelt condolences to Cortez’s family and friends and the many in our community who will be grieving alongside them.”
Of course, MLive chose to give space for Winstrom, but they, like Winstrom, need to stop center the voices of cops instead of centering the voices of those most impacted by the teen’s death.
WOODTV8 also made the decision to center Chief Winstrom instead of family and friends during their coverage of the vigil later Monday night. While channel 8 did airtime to the Godwin Heights High School Principal, in the online story version they gave substantial space to Chief Winstrom, who ends his comments by saying, “Although it doesn’t bring back Cortez, obviously, it does sort of make you reflect on the fact that there was nothing that we could have done sooner that would have made a difference in the case.”
It is unacceptable for news agencies decision to continue to provide an open platform for the GRPD. It is equally unacceptable for the GRPD to continue to insert themselves in these situations, without taking any responsibility for creating a social climate where the community, particularly Black and Brown communities, fears for their safety around the GRPD. Chief Winstrom needs to stop inserting himself, read the room, and make sure that grieving families and friends get to create the narrative. Unfortunately, we know the GRPD won’t quit trying to control the narrative around public safety, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t expose them, nor does it mean that we can’t create our own counter-narratives. Community care, not cops!
Last night some 25 activists with Movimiento Cosecha GR and the Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union held a protest outside of the home of the Senate Majority leader, Winnie Brinks.
It was a beautiful display of collaboration and solidarity between the two groups, both of which were demanding that Senator Brinks put to a vote bills that would drastically improve the lives of tenants and immigrants across the state.
The Grand Rapids Area Tenant Union (GRATU) was advocating the adoption of 9 separate bills, all of which were presented to the Michigan House and the Michigan Senate to pass during the Lame Duck session and were given to them during the Rent is Too Damn High action two weeks ago in Lansing. You can check out which 9 bills that GRATU was pushing by going to this link.
Several members of GRATU read off the list of 9 renter bills while standing in front of the home of the Senate Majority leader, which was followed by other members going to the door to hand over a poster sized version of the list that Sen. Brinks could put to a vote during Lame Duck. Sen. Brinks chose not to come to the door, but sent her husband who agreed to give her the document.
Movimiento Cosecha GR members were also demanding that Senator Brinks pass the Drive Safe Bill, which would allow the undocumented immigrant community to obtain a driver’s license. Cosecha Michigan has been working on this issue since 2018 and were told by Michigan Democrats that after they won the trifecta in 2022, they promised to pass the Drive Safe Bill. This never happened.
In addition, both the tenant movement and the immigrant justice movement, have had numerous protests in Lansing and at the State Capitol. However, over the years, Senator Brinks was never in her office and people were forced to either meet with on of her staff members or were denied access to her office. This was part of the reason why activists with both groups went to her home last night, since they have been left with little choice to present her with their demands.
Throughout the protest, there were chants in English and in Spanish, which helped to maintain good energy, plus it was an important reflection of how the issues both groups deal with intersect with one another. More importantly, the action was simply a testimony to the power of solidarity and how we need to get out of our silos and support each other whenever possible.
Grand Rapids Power Analysis slides are now available, plus an invitation to local groups who want to host any future workshops
On Saturday, I presented my Grand Rapids Power Analysis at an event hosted by the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (GRAARPR).
The event was well attended and people seemed very engaged, with lots of great comments and questions.
I have posted the slides for the Grand Rapids Power Analysis on the GRIID site, so people can have access to those slides, which are at this link.
Moving forward, I am thinking about creating some sort of a webinar that people could do online regarding a Grand Rapids Power Analysis. In addition, if there are other community-based groups, faith organizations, non-profits, autonomous groups and educational centers that would want do host a presentation/workshop using the Grand Rapids Power Analysis, just reach out to me at sjeff987@gmail.com. If your organization or group is serious about structural change, then doing a local power analysis is essential.
Lastly, the Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression did video tape my presentation, which you can access here.
The new Feeding America facility should not be cause for celebration, especially when the GR Chamber of Commerce is present
Last week, Feeding America West Michigan celebrated the opening of a new facility, which will allow them to expand how much food charity they can engage in.
The Grand Opening ceremony in Kentwood was attended by lots of “community partners”, like the Meijer Corporation, Herbrucks and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony, which provide corporate partners a photo opportunity.
I find it deeply problematic when a food charity organization expands its operation, since that means they are now having to provide food relief to even more families. Now, I am not fundamentally against food charity, but unless organizations that are practicing food charity work to simultaneously address the root causes of hunger, they are perpetuating the problem.
Feeding America West Michigan says that their mission, “is to provide nourishment and hunger relief resources to our neighbors by amplifying the strength of communities through collaboration and advocacy. We believe that hunger is unacceptable and that our community has the power to change lives.”
I agree that hunger is unacceptable, but no where on the Feeding America West Michigan site do they advocate for system change, so that people will not have to rely on food charity, except maybe during a disaster.
If we as a society were serious about ending hunger we would address root causes of the problem, by engaging in some of the following actions:
- If everyone made a Living Wage they would not have to rely on food charity. There is no exact amount of what people need to earn for it to be a living wage, but numerous organizations that track the cost of living would say that $35 an hour wage would be closer to what a Living Wage might look like in Michigan.
- Either eliminate the Farm Bill or completely revamp it to promote a food system that actually makes sure that everyone has the right to healthy and whole food, plus food that was produced in an ecologically sustainable way. Our current food system does neither right now.
- Addressing the Wealth Gap. You cannot have a small percentage of billionaires, while 41% of the population in Michigan is living paycheck to paycheck.
Now, not only does Feeding America West Michigan completely avoid address these types of structure issues, they have people who sit on their board and community partners that will do their best to make sure that these systemic food issues and actions are never addressed. For example, I mentioned earlier that some of Feeding America West Michigan’s community partners are the Meijer Corporation and Herbrucks. Meijer doesn’t pay a Living Wage to their employees, even though the three Meijer Corporation brothers are worth $16.5 Billion together. Herbrucks doesn’t pay their employees a Living Wage, plus they hire a large number of immigrants to work in their eggs production facilities, many of whom are a risk of deportation.
Then there is the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, which posted pictures of the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Feeding America West Michigan. The GR Chamber’s CEO Rick Baker was invited to speak during the ceremony and be part of the photo-op.
Now, the GR Chamber of Commerce states that their mission is, “A thriving and prosperous West Michigan for all.” The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce has been around since the late 19th Century and Grand Rapids has always had a significant wealth gap, with a small percentage of business owners having tremendous wealth, while the majority of Grand Rapids has always struggled. There is nothing that the GR Chamber does to make sure that everyone is “thriving and prosperous.” In fact, the GR Chamber of Commerce is constantly working to influence public policy in such a way as to make sure that their members are thriving and prosperous, but could care less about most of us.
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce opposes worker unions, they oppose raising the minimum wage (especially a minimum wage that gets us closer to a Living Wage), they oppose state policies that truly benefit workers, they support economic policies which disproportionately benefit the business class and they have created entities like Housing Next and the West Michigan Policy Forum, which also work to influence public policy that perpetuates Capitalism at the expense of the masses.
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce is always trying to buy politicians, they worked hard to get the City of Grand Rapids to adopt two ordinances in 2023 that would criminalize the unhoused, they spent $50,000 to make sure that the Hotel Tax ballot initiative would pass in August and they have gone to bat for all of the downtown GR development projects, like the most recent $565 million tax incentives for the DeVos/Van Andel project on Fulton and Market.
Ultimately, having the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce speak at a ribbon cutting ceremony is proof that Feeding America West Michigan will not actually end hunger, but merely provide the appearance that they actually care about people subjected to poverty, while partnering with organizations that profit from exploitation. Welcome to West Michigan Nice!
Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy 