Despite their best intentions, Newsweek failed to put this city down.
Yes, the economy has beaten many people down and some have left for opportunities elsewhere… but labeling Grand Rapids, MI, a “dying city,” (more here) only prompted our hearty Midwestern pride to shine even brighter. A collection of creative Grand Rapidians created the video below showcasing our clean and a friendly Midwestern town – a city I’m proud to call home.
Take a peek; you just might want to come experience Grand Rapids, too.
That was awesome! Love me some hometown pride (thus my “I Love the Burg” post on Saturday). Yes, I would love to visit Grand Rapids. Biking all those bridges would be so fun.
I thought it was great fun, too, Caroline. Loved your “burg” post as well… Cheers! MJ
LOVE IT!!!!! WOWZA GRAND RAPIDS!!!!
Deb
They did a great job showing some positives of our little city; every city has it’s downside, of course, but this was just upbeat and light fun – loved it!
Cheers MJ
I visit Grand Rapids usually at least once a year, and there are indeed some interesting and useful places and things there, but one aspect of the city conspicuously lacking in that video, and things that make the strongest impact on me when I go downtown, are all the homeless and street people (seemingly more than the typical population of those demographics than in other large Midwest cities), and numerous streets that always seem to be closed and torn up. It’s fine to have some degree of pride in one’s hometown, and to act as a booster for it, but it’s probably best to avoid too much self-congratulations, all things considered…
And the choice of “American Pie” for the karaoke video seems somewhat unknowingly inappropriate for the positive message about Grand Rapids the video is presumably trying to convey. Kind of like Republican politicians obliviously using Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” as an upbeat, patriotic campaign song back in the 1980s…
Well, you make a point, but I can tell you of all the cities I’ve lived in – some larger and some smaller – Grand Rapids has been the most positive and welcoming with a generous kind-hearted spirit about it that I just love.
And I adored the song choice because it was just long enough to allow many many people to be part of the fun.
Thanks for visiting! MJ
Go Emjay! I’ll be in Ohio in a couple of weeks, then Whitmore Lake near Ann Arbor, and if we have time Clam Lake. There is definitely life up there and no, our friends aren’t “daid”.
Enjoy your trip, Georgette. It’s heating up here in the Midwest … my humble rural upbringing makes me feel right at home here in the heartland. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cheers! MJ
This was great! Well done, Grand Rapids!! Thanks for putting it out there, MJ! ~ Lenore
Welcome, Lenore
MJ
Interesting choice of words for Newsweek, being a dying magazine…
I thought the same thing! Oh .. the irony
MJ
I love it! What a fun town
You know it – they did a great job on this — 5,000 people
Cheers! MJ
Great video, MJ! Thanks for sharing it!
I always hate it when any city is put down, especially in a national publication…good for Grand Rapids for fighting back!
Wendy
I agree, Wendy, they did a most excellent job!
Cheers, MJ