Robinson connects 'Citizen' to his book about racial inequality in Grand Rapids

While building connections between Grand Valley's Community Reading Project selection and his own book about racial inequality in Grand Rapids, Todd Robinson said Michigan's second largest city has a long history of not treating African Americans well.

Robinson is the author of "A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids." His book was selected by Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss as the inaugural "Mayor's Book of the Year." He spoke March 25 in the Mary Idema Pew Library to an audience of students, faculty and staff members and students from Black River Public School in Holland.

Robinson said he read the CRP selection, "Citizen: An American Lyric," by Claudia Rankine, which recounts racial microaggressions that occur daily to people of color. "I read parts of it, but have lived all of it," he said. "I call it 'racial baptism,' the moment you realize you're black."

Robinson, an associate professor of history at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, said Grand Rapids has a long history of hiding or concealing racial injustices. 

"My book brought those narratives to life," he said. "There was a time when blacks couldn't go to restaurants, couldn't choose certain schools, there weren't many available jobs.

"This book is an affirmation that Grand Rapids has not treated black people well at all."

Louis Moore, associate professor of history, introduced Robinson and said as an African American living in Grand Rapids, he has experienced many microaggressions. He also cited a study published by Forbes.com that listed Grand Rapids as the second-worst city economically for African Americans due to wide socioeconomic gaps in housing, education and jobs.

Moore advised the audience to build relationships and learn from others. "This younger generation is different," Moore said. "You can stay here in West Michigan and work to change it by joining groups and going to events."

Robinson's presentation library followed appearances March 24 at the Local History Roundtable and at LINC Gallery, on Hall Street in Grand Rapids.