Our Mission Statement

The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony is dedicated to promoting unity, justice, equal opportunity, ethnic awareness, cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for diversity.

Resources for Discussing and Disrupting Racism

About Us

Founded in January 1999, the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony, ACEH, is a non-profit, non-partisan grass-roots group of ethnically diverse people from Holland and nearby areas. ACEH is a friendly organization that welcomes all people and works to create the feeling that our communities belong to everyone. ACEH is not affiliated with any political or religious groups, and is supposrted by membership dues, donations and grants.

What does ACEH do?

• Holds monthly public meetings to talk about local and national justice and diversity issues, listen to speakers from different ethnic groups, and take part in "walk in my shoes" cross-cultural exercises.
• Provides a safe and respectful place to share experiences of prejudice and racism and to work on solutions.
• Works with ethnic and civic groups on projects to foster an inclusive community, including the Lakeshore Area Summit on Racism.
• Offers resources of ideas, speakers, materials and diversity training to schools, businesses, clubs, and religious organizations.
• Supports public efforts to oppose discrimination, racism, and violence.
• Publishes a monthly newsletter sent via email or regular mail; also sends e-mail bulletins about events and issues in West Michigan.
• Holds annual potluck with ethnic foods and family games, sponsors other social events.
• Encourages patronage of ethnic businesses and events.

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A Proper Protest
By C.J. Kingdom Grier, President of ACEH

In August 2016, NFL star Colin Kaepernick decided to take a page out of the book of great humans before him: to protest injustice with his body. His decision to take a knee during the national anthem will go down in history alongside that of Harriet Tubman, who physically ushered slaves to freedom; of Mahatma Gandhi, who chose to starve himself until justice prevailed in his beloved India; and of Rosa Parks, who protested unjust practices in Montgomery by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. For the sake of freedom and justice for all, civil rights leaders, both Black and White, marched across the Pettus bridge in Selma, subjecting their very bodies to the blows of those who opposed them.

Like those who went before him, Kaepernick's protest was met with great opposition, such that his career as a football professional came to a screeching halt. He became a laughing stock, indeed a fool to his peers who watched him kneel down on his career to stand against injustice.

On Friday, September 29, 2017, the Holland High School varsity cheerleaders decided to also take the path of resistance laid by freedom fights before them. These courageous teenagers took a respectful knee as they faced the flag during the national anthem. In a community gathering the next week, these students spoke eloquently about their respect for those who fought for their freedom to both stand and kneel. Their kneeling was a clarion call to our "nick" community that all is not well in our city and country. Since taking a knee these young women have been met with harsh words and threats of violence from members of their own community.

So America, Holland, please tell me: What is the proper way to protest injustice?

Is there a more humble, gracious way to express disapproval than to silently take a knee while facing the flag? Would slaves be free without protest? Would segregation have ended without sit-ins and peaceful demonstrations in the public square? What would be a better way for athletes to express their disdain for the miscarriage of liberty and justice for all?

"We need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges." - Tim Berners-Lee

©2018 Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony
P.O. Box 3007 | Holland | MI | 49422-3007 | Phone: (616) 392-5086 | E-mail: ACEH