Our Home Too, The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids:
Until The Lion Tells His Side Of The Story, The Tale Of The Hunt Will Always Glorify The Hunter
-Zimbabwean Proverb
According to project historian Dr. Veta Tucker, "It is common and well-documented knowledge that there are deep political, economic, and social divisions in the United States today. What may not be so well known is this is nothing new. In the life of every nation, there are fierce conflicts between rich and the poor; monarchs and peasants; capitalists and workers; oppressors and the oppressed and between orthodox religions and what they deem as heresy."
Dr. Tucker further states, "All nations' histories are usually written from the point of view of the group in power and to serve their interests. American history is not exempt from this dichotomy. America's history is propagated through its schools and, more recently, through mass media. If you attended a school in the US, whether public or private, elementary, high school, or university, you were taught a version of American history that glorifies the European settlers who colonized what became the United States." Mass media, film, TV, and digital streaming services interpretations of marginalized people and communities have adopted a similar approach too often.
The African proverb, "Until the Lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the Hunter," applies to any examination of primary documents that are foundational to chronicling history. Everyone who seriously studies primary documents written at the time comes in contact with other stories—narratives that reveal perspectives and ambitions of the less-powerful, the non-European, the indigenous, the forced, and the non-forced immigrants. These histories are available to be included or excluded from every historian's account. So, a thinking person should ask: what purpose does this version of the history that I'm learning serve, and who does this history glorify? As a critical thinking filmmaker, I must ask the same questions regarding the use of historical books and documents for constructing stories, characters, points of view and constantly ask "through whose lens I am telling these stories?"
"I do not expect the white media to create positive black male images."
Huey P. Newton
That brings us to the recent historical accounts of the Black freedom struggle in Grand Rapids. I read the chronicle with significant personal and professional interests. Grand Rapids is my home, where I grew up, was educated, and started my professional career as a filmmaker. Consequently, I walked away from the narrative knowing, and feeling that another story, a story of self-determination and selfaffirmation, had to be told.
I'm not criticizing the recent account. However, we must tell stories grounded in the people's history and their interpretations of their journey. Narratives from the 'Lion's' point of view must be told.
Charles Holliman is a 'Lion' who grew up on the west-side of Grand Rapids; it was a segregated, complex community where many Black migrants from the South settled. Holliman recounts his memories at Franklin Elementary School, "There was a white teacher who refused to touch her Black students. She would wipe doorknobs and wash her hands when touching a Black student was unavoidable."
Yet, the segregated westside was also culturally and spiritually affirming. Holliman recalls, "There were three churches right around the same area. We had to the True Light Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church on Bartlett, and Finney and I went to the Church of God and Christ also on Bartlett St., it was a Pentecostal church. Reverend Tolliver preached at True Light. He was one of the most influential Black men in Grand Rapids. Reverend Tolliver went to gambling joints to get donations and preach, and everybody interacted on the west-side. We had the street crowd men and women street hustlers, factory workers and baseball players, we had the Grand Rapids Black Sox, you know we had our own little world."
Holliman exemplifies the 'Lion' writing the story of the hunt.
Our Home Too will be the voice of the 'Lion' telling stories that are undocumented or documented from the point of view of the white power structure.
Others embedded in the Black freedom struggle will recount how the route and construction of the US 131 expressway physically divided the west-side community and disrupted the Black-owned business corridor.
Rev. Reggie Smith, an ordained Black minister in the Christian Reformed Church, will share insights and stories on the role and impact of the Christian Reformed Church in business, politics, race relations, and the city's power structure.
The film will explore the contradictions of recent national magazines and polls naming Grand Rapids one of the best places in the nation to live. Yet, in contrast, others cite Grand Rapids as the second-worst city in America for African Americans. Our Home Too will explore these glaring and painful contradictions from the point of view of marginalized Black Grand Rapidians.
The narrative will interweave historical and contemporary stories and characters that connect thematically to the social, economic, political, class, and religious issues that challenged Blacks in Grand Rapids then and today.
"Oppressed people, whatever their level of formal education, have the ability to understand and interpret the world around them, to see the world for what it is, and move to transform it." Ella Baker
Support and guidance from the grassroots, professional and religious Black communities are essential components to making the film. Music of all genres, excerpts from sermons and letters, spoken word poetry, archival footage, art, and original recreation footage will be elements of the visual pallet.
A primary project objective is identifying young Black Grand Rapidians to mentor and provide opportunities to work with professional filmmakers to learn, gain experience and networking opportunities and fulfill their professional aspirations.
We are planning both paid internships and entrylevel production positions. We need more 'Lions' to tell our stories.
The project team appeals to family, friends, and anyone committed to equality and justice to support this project.
"I am fortunate to have support from Rev. C. A. Pace jr., and his True Light Baptist Church congregation, Rev. Howard C. Earle Jr., and the New Hope Baptist Church congregation, Rev. Rachel Bahr and her congregation at Plymouth United Church of Christ, and the congregation and pastor Rev. Dr. Willie A. Gholston II, at First Community AME Church. We are hopeful that other congregations will join our effort. As a community and individuals, we must embrace projects that respect our history and culture."
"I relish the opportunity to work with and remember Black freedom fighters to tell stories of Black Grand Rapidians who have the vision and are committed to healing the wounds of racism in Grand Rapids. I am confident that philanthropic organizations, foundations, and individuals will recognize and embrace this project as an opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of the Black freedom struggle in Grand Rapids and this project's potential to contribute to racial healing in the city.
"Remember, we are not fighting for the freedom of the Negro alone, but for the freedom of the human spirit a larger freedom that encompasses all mankind." Ella Baker
Anyone seeking more information can email Dante James at
Please make check or money order contribution payable to Regenerative Community Builders Inc. The mailing address is:
Regenerative Community
Builders Inc. 2222
W. Grand River Ave. STE A.
Okemos, MI 48864
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