VMHC announces civic education merger
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture will ring in July 4 this year with a merger with the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics into the VMHC and the launch of a three-year civics initiative.
Salvation Army gains new leadership
A new couple is in charge of Salvation Army Central Virginia, based at 2 W. Grace St.
Maryland church, with $100,000 in vandalism damage, continues in faith
The Rev. Jerome Jones Sr. is shocked by two things: the extensive vandalism that took place in his church building in Maryland’s capital in early June and the outpouring of support Fowler United Methodist Church has received in the aftermath.
Health Equity Fund adds groups to combat disparities
Six new community partners, $644,000 in grant money and a continuing effort to bring greater equity to Richmond’s marginalized communities were the focus Tuesday afternoon at Richmond City Hall, as city leaders announced the latest groups and projects that will be part of the Health Equity Fund.
Approval looms for city’s revamped budget
Plan includes retiree bonuses, overtime pay for firefighters
Thousands of City Hall retirees will receive a one-time 5 percent bonus. And the city is setting up a fund to buy property for development.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
‘As a parent, I’m scared’
Kenya Gibson begs RPS Board to act quickly to curtail violence among students
Emotions ran high during Monday’s Richmond School Board meeting, as members discussed and argued over the proper path to improve school safety, following multiple security failures, shootings and deaths this year.
Why teachers need to fight against adult supremacy, by Ashley Clerge
As educators, we often talk about the importance of empow- ering students and giving them agency in the classroom. How- ever, there is a darker reality that we must confront: The per- vasive influ- ence of adult supremacy, which takes away agency from kids by restricting their access to freedom and control- ling their bod- ies, especially in schools. This issue is even more intense for students of color, as the need for control is often justified under the guise of “safety” and “dis- cipline.” As teachers, it is our responsibility to combat adult supremacy in the classroom and give power and agency back to our students. At its core, adult supremacy is rooted in the belief that adults are inherently superior to chil- dren and therefore have the right to control and dominate them. This manifests in a number of ways in schools, from strict dress codes to zero-tolerance discipline policies to the use of physical force to maintain con- trol. In each case, the message is clear: Children are not capable of making their own decisions and must be controlled for their own good. For students of color, the need for control is often even more intense, as they are viewed as inherently more dangerous or disruptive. This can lead to Ashley Clerge harsher punishments, greater surveillance, and a lack of trust on the part of teachers and administrators. The result is a toxic environment that strips students of their agency and leaves them feeling powerless and marginalized. As educators, we must work to combat adult supremacy in the classroom and give power and agency back to our stu- dents. This means rethinking our approach to discipline, moving away from punishment and control, and toward restor- ative justice and community building. It means listening to our students, valuing their opinions and experiences, and empowering them to make decisions about their own lives and education. One way to do this is through the use of student-led classrooms, where students have a say in everything from the curriculum to the rules to the physical layout of the classroom. This not only gives students agency but also helps to build a sense of community and ownership in the classroom. We also can work to create safe spaces where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences and expressing their opinions. This means creating an environment where all voices are heard and valued, and where students feel free to challenge the status quo and advocate for themselves and their peers. Ultimately, combating adult supremacy in the classroom requires a fundamental shift in our approach to education. We must move away from a model that views children as passive recipients of knowledge and toward one that values their agency, their experiences, and their voices. Only then can we create a truly empowering and equitable education system for all students. The writer is a fifth grade humanities teacher for Boston Public Schools and a 2023 International Literacy Asso- ciation 30 Under 30 Literacy Champion.
Hanover residents hopeful after Virginia Supreme Court’s Wegmans ruling
A recent decision by the Virginia Supreme Court means residents are being given a second chance to make their case against a Wegmans distribution center — even though construction on the 1.7 million-square-foot facility located in Ashland is nearing completion.
Aird defeats Morrissey
Winning 13th Senate District, November’s general election likely a shoo-in
Call it a special birthday present. Just two days before turning 37, Lashrecse D. Aird celebrated in advance Tuesday by putting an election whipping on maverick Democratic state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey in their head-to-head contest.
In affirmative action and student loan cases, some see backlash to racial progress in education
As a Black student who was raised by a single mother, Makia Green believes she benefited from a program that gave preference to students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds when she was admitted over a decade ago to the University of Rochester.
Dennis Parker Jr.’s ascension to N.C. State fueled by academics, athletics, family ties
John Marshall High School’s Dennis Parker Jr. ranks among the most talented and decorated basketball players in Richmond history.
Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events and quiet reflection on the end of slavery
Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.
Personality: Larry Williams
Spotlight on 6th Annual Black Pride RVA Weekend planning committee co-chair
An end of college trip in 2014 with a former partner brought Larry Williams to Richmond, but the Black Pride community he found here made him stay.
Political newcomer Rae Cousins upsets opponents for House bid
Rae Cousins, a lawyer and fourth-generation Richmonder, handily won Tuesday’s primary in Richmond to become the Democratic nominee for the 79th House of Delegates District. Ms. Cousins, 43, bested 3rd District City Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, 47, and criminal justice crusader Richard Walker, 65, in the their contest in the L-shaped district that is anchored in the East End and takes in portions of South Side and North Side. The district is one of three that includes portions of the city and the only one in which there was a party nomination contest. Incumbent Delegate Betsy B. Carr is unopposed in her bid for
Charles Willis, the ‘first responder to first responders’, continues decades of community advocacy
On Tuesday, June 6, Charles Willis was on Cowardin Avenue going to get dinner when he saw police cars racing across the Lee Bridge toward Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus. He knew something was wrong.
New General Assembly building to open later in 2023
Anticipating a possible special session, the Virginia General Assembly announced it won’t be moving into its new building until later this year.
Second gun buyback program for city targeted
City Hall plans to continue to invest in gun buyback programs despite clear evidence that the program has not worked, which studies have shown is the case in virtually every locality offering to pay people to turn in their guns.
Sacred burial site to be marked by mural
A mural with a message embedded in large red, black and green stripes will soon mark an historic but largely unknown Black cemetery in North Side.
Dominion, Library of Virginia honor ‘extraordinary people during challenging times’
A Roanoke pastor and civil rights leader, the first Black woman nuclear engineer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the first Black NASCAR race winner were among the six African-Americans honored during the 11th annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program June 15 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa. The annual awards ceremony recognizes the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times, according to the event sponsors.
