We got offended.

It’s about time.

Let’s face it: We’ve been called every name in the book.

Miserable. Violent. Dangerous. Heck, even least valuable because of low property values. Murdertown. Too many names to recount really.

And, we were always most -- or almost the most -- of whatever bad title was being dispensed by some magazine, website or far-flung data cruncher.

What did we do? Generally, we shrugged. Or maybe said they don’t really know us. But, mostly, we just took it, accepted that we were the worst.

It is what it is, we figured.

I’ll never forget seeing how Grand Rapids reacted when Newsweek listed it No. 10 on its list of “America’s Dying Cities.”

The whole city was outraged and shocked. With the help of Rob Bliss they created the epic, nearly 10-minute lipdub of “American Pie” featuring the people and places of the city they loved.

I mean, how cute is that? We are so stinking offended that we are going to sing and dance. So take that!

The video was cool. Super cool. Even winning praise from film critic Roger Ebert, who called it "the greatest music video ever made" before his death. And, the world heard their love of their city loud and clear with 5.3 million – MILLION – views of the YouTube video.

And, get this: Newsweek apologized for putting Grand Rapids on the list the day the video went online.

Yeah, but guess what: That very same year Flint was ranked No. 9 on the list of “America’s Dying Cities.”

What did we do? Eh, we complained a little, like usual, and otherwise sort of went about our business.

It is what it is, we figured.

We all know all too well what our problems are. We know our city is struggling. Heck, we know there are real problems -- big ones.

It is what it is, we figured again. And, again. At that insult and the next, knowing there would be another coming soon.

The difference is the people of Grand Rapids knew – no matter what anyone said – that they were not a dying city. They loved their city and knew they were better than that.

Then came Laura Dimon calling Flint “apocalyptic” in the Policymic.com article, basically saying, yeah, Detroit’s in bankruptcy and a world of hurt but 60 miles north is, well, “apocalyptic.”

Now, we all know that Flint is not Detroit, but to also say “and you’ve probably never heard of it” – well, now, that just hit a nerve.

And, people got mad.

What's different this time? Well, Dimon's creative writing skills hit a nerve for sure – but I also think maybe we're different. We're changing.

We’re seeing ourselves differently. We know we are more than the titles. We know there are people downtown, real work happening to right our city, investment that will make us stronger.

Yes, it is what it is – and that includes some real struggles – but we’re more than that. We’re more than what we’ve always been. We’re more than what we were.

We’re Flint. Full of pride. With a bright future.

And, no one, but no one can take that away from us.

This time, we got mad because for the first time in a really long time -- we didn’t believe we should be damned.

We’re better than that. No matter what anyone says.