Kudos Free Press in coverage of Lady Panthers
I would like to commend the Richmond Free Press for its superior, in-depth coverage of the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers basketball team coached by AnnMarie Gilbert.
Reinstate Cornell Brooks
Black people have fared best when our collective interests and goals are held paramount. We’ve made the greatest headway when our assumed leaders are guided by principles of self-sacrifice above self-aggrandizement. I pray that we have the wisdom to remember and embrace these lessons learned “over a way that with tears has been watered ... through the blood of the slaughtered.” Since 1909, the NAACP has been the most recognized and venerated civil rights organization in the United States. Most Americans respect and admire the NAACP. Those of us 50 years old and older remember that, when intervening in civil rights matters, the NAACP often mitigated outcomes of interracial conflict to the benefit of often maligned African-American victims. It’s said, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” A lapse of time often adds to that contempt. Outside of “the faithful,” the NAACP’s reputation as a relevant player in the civil rights arena had diminished. This perception was especially true among youths who were more likely to ask the question, “What have you done for me lately?” While I am an NAACP life member and I’ve always seen its relevance, many people thought the organization had moved close to being irrelevant. Several episodes of questionable leadership did little to rehabilitate its reputation. For many, that changed in May 2014 with the selection of the Rev. Cornell William Brooks as national NAACP president and CEO. Lacking the bravado and ostentatiousness of many leaders of our community, Rev. Brooks came to the job as an experienced civil rights professional. A fourth generation A.M.E. minister and Yale-trained civil rights lawyer, Rev. Brooks was eminently qualified and well focused on directing the activities of the NAACP to meet contemporary imperatives. Three years ago, he inherited a staff demoralized by layoffs and uncertain funding. Now, fundraising is up and he had begun hiring additional staff to conduct the organization’s business. In nearly three years, Rev. Brooks has led the NAACP with purpose, dignity and skillful determination. His “hands-on, lead by example” approach to activism has inspired a new generation of youths to pick up the mantle of the NAACP. We have seen substantial participation and the increased membership of young people. Young people were constantly seen with Rev. Brooks demonstrating consistent, targeted action and participation in activities that gave renewed meaning to the concept of peaceful and intelligent resistance to injustice. Rev. Brooks is not a lip service leader. With the exception of being called away for related obligations, he walked every step of the two marches he organized between Ferguson and Jefferson City, Mo., and Selma, Ala., and Washington. The marchers and he became targets of racist snipers in Missouri and he remains under threat by domestic terrorists who would love nothing more than to stop his work. Rev. Brooks’ testimony against the confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general was topped only by his sit-in and arrest in the Birmingham offices of Mr. Sessions. He gave national attention to the fact that the NAACP was once again a genuine player in the fight against injustice. This revitalized NAACP attracted a new following and, accordingly, online memberships increased significantly. For individuals and institutions alike, longevity can mistakenly be assumed to be the same as indispensability. Logic should inform that the only foundation of indispensability is in the sustainment of relevance. Under Rev. Brooks, the NAACP escaped the image of doing little and existing in outdated ineptitude to a state of true relevance. Sadly, the NAACP executive board has chosen to take a step backward by not renewing Rev. Brooks’ contract. I pray that decision will be reversed. Rev. Brooks was the right leader when he was chosen and remains the right leader for our challenging times. The board should reverse its ill-advised decision. The writer is president of the National Congress of Black Women.
Remembering the Lovings
Monday, June 12, is the 50th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned laws banning interracial marriage in the United States.
The end, we hope
We urge our readers to tune into their TVs, radios, tablets and/or mobile devices at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8, to hear former FBI Director James Comey testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee about President Trump’s conduct in connection with the investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election, as well as his ties to Russia and those of his campaign aides and administration officials.
Vote on Tuesday, June 13
If you want to have a say in which candidates are on the November ballot, get ready to vote. Polls across Virginia will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, for voters to make their choices in Democratic and Republican primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor.
Generations of blacksmithing history to be celebrated June 10
Following the Civil War, Henry Jackson did not hold out any hope that the U.S. government would honor its promise of 40 acres and a mule to former enslaved African-Americans.
March for Truth makes stand
More than 600 people gather in Capitol Square last Saturday to call for an impartial investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and Russia’s ties to President Trump, his 2016 campaign and his administration and
Bill Cosby, TV’s favorite dad, goes on trial
Andrea Constand told a packed Pennsylvania courtroom on Tuesday that she could feel Bill Cosby’s hands on her body, but the drugs in her system would not let her stop him.
George Wythe alum Jerome Jeter returns to coach football
Jerome Jeter played football for George Wythe High School when the Bulldogs were an area powerhouse. He was in the Class of 2000.
Former Highland Springs player Mike’l Simms joins VCU Rams
Virginia Commonwealth University’s ever-evolving basketball roster continues to make headlines. Last week, guard Samir Doughty announced he is leaving the Rams after displaying much promise as a red-shirt freshman. Soon after, Coach Mike Rhoades announced the signing of 6-foot-5 wing Mike’l Simms, a former player at Henrico’s Highland Springs High School who attends Cowley Community College in Kansas.
Ex-George Wythe track star signed to NFL’s N.Y. Giants
Former George Wythe High School track and field standout Kevin Snead has taken the fast track to the NFL. Known more for his blazing track speed than his modest football résumé, Snead signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants following the team’s recent Rookie Mini Camp in East Rutherford, N.J. He has begun practicing in the Giants’ Organized Team Activities in New Jersey and is on New York’s 90-man, offseason roster.
Albert Pujols hits 600
Major League Baseball’s exclusive “600 Club” is rich with people of color. Four of the nine players to hit at least 600 career home runs are African-American, and three others trace their ancestry to the Dominican Republic.
Effects of Israeli-Arab 1967 Six-Day War still felt 50 years later
Ron Kronish was an American college student when Israel defeated the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies during the 1967 Six-Day War.
CeCe Winans talks about new solo CD and pastoring
CeCe Winans, one of the most celebrated female gospel artists, is back on tour after releasing her first solo CD in almost a decade.
Personality: Lawrence D. ‘Larry’ Wilder Jr.
Spotlight on board chair of the Southside Community Development and Housing Corp.
Lawrence D. “Larry” Wilder Jr.’s focus and passion these days is revitalization. The 55-year-old son of former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and retiring Richmond Treasurer Eunice M. Wilder loves his volunteer work as board chairman of the Southside Community Development and Housing Corp., a nonprofit that helps first-time buyers achieve their dream of home ownership.
What really happened?
New details change initial police report of Mosby Court events surrounding special agent’s death
Travis A. Ball initially was portrayed as a depraved killer who fatally shot Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter in the head without provocation.
Battery Park art project on tennis great Arthur Ashe to educate, elevate
Sir James Thornhill has spent the past 11 years enlivening buildings, mostly in Jackson Ward, with murals depicting often forgotten African-American heroes.
Children ages 10, 11 charged in RPS employee shooting at Norrell Annex
Richmond Police reported Wednesday the arrest of three children who allegedly were involved in the May 1 shooting of a Richmond Public Schools employee during a break-in at the now-closed Norrell Annex, 201 W. Graham Road in North Side.
HUD officials: Essex Village improvements underway
The overhaul of Henrico County’s troubled Essex Village apartment complex appears to be underway. Under threat of losing $4.2 million in yearly federal housing subsidies and facing pressure from Henrico County and 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin, PK Management, which operates the 496-unit, Section 8 complex at Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue, has begun making improvements to address long-standing health and safety issues, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
