Insidious racism
We were quite disturbed by news that a song loaded with racist lyrics and sentiment was piped over a public address system at Glen Allen High School as players from the largely white Henrico school and from the largely black John Marshall High School in Richmond were warming up for a homecoming football game.
Bye, bye Jim
The Internet and airwaves are atwitter with the latest news that Vice President Joe Biden will not be getting into the presidential race. His decision was the right one for this time, particularly with Republicans still riding a roller coaster with their zany field of candidates led by Donald Trump and Dr. Ben Carson. We also bid adieu to Jim Webb from the Democratic presidential nominating process, a process that he had great difficultly maneuvering both politically and financially.
Hampton U. professor wins Miss Virginia USA
Desiree Williams is sporting a new crown — Miss Virginia USA. An assistant professor at Hampton University, Dr. Williams, 26, won her latest state title at the Oct. 11 pageant in Charlottesville.
Miss Harris, Mr. Blackwell marry
Geneva Harris of Richmond became the wife of Nelson Blackwell of Dinwiddie on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Hanover Black Heritage Society program set for Oct. 24
The Hanover County Black Heritage Society is hosting a ceremony to honor the initial inductees for its Wall of Honor from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Henry Clay Inn, 114 N. Railroad Ave., in Ashland.
VUU homecoming victory sets up fight against the Bulldogs
Virginia Union University has become both the irresistible force and the immovable object of CIAA football. Under second-year Coach Mark James, the Panthers have showcased the league’s most powerful offense — 422 yards per game — and also the stiffest defense, with a scant 149 average yield.
VSU homecoming a heartbreaker
Virginia State University’s Trojans are down but not necessarily out. Following a heartbreaking 22-19 homecoming loss Oct. 17 to Bowie State University before 7,300 fans, VSU still has an outside chance of “three-peating” as the CIAA Northern Division champion. But for that to happen, the Trojans, now 1-1 in the division, will need to go on a winning streak — and get some outside help.
VCU hoops opens with exhibition game
The Will Wade era of Virginia Commonwealth University basketball is on the launching pad, preparing for a long-awaited take off.
WNBA champs
Minnesota Lynx party like it’s 1999 — with Prince
What better time to party than after winning the WNBA title for a third time in five years. And who better to party with than Prince. The Minnesota Lynx and the megastar singer-songwriter partied like it was 1999 after the Lynx won the WNBA championship crown Oct. 14 over the Indiana Fever.
Community turns out to mourn Alicia Rasin
God chose Alicia Rasin to serve the city’s poor, forgotten and downtrodden. That was the message the Rev. Leonidas Young II passionately delivered to hundreds of people who attended the funeral service Saturday for Ms. Rasin at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County.
$3M civil suit filed against ABC agents
How much is Martese Johnson’s pain, suffering and bleeding worth? Mr. Johnson, now a fourth-year honors student at the University of Virginia, was slammed onto the pavement outside a Charlottesville pub last March by three agents from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control who suspected him of trying to use a fake ID to enter.
Protest over teacher transfers
Dozens of angry teachers, parents and students protested Richmond Public Schools’ plan to move 10 teachers from four elementary schools into classrooms at other schools in the district. Teachers held signs proclaiming “Save Our Teachers,” “Our Students Deserve Better” and “Teacher Power!” Their protest mounted at Monday’s meeting of the Richmond School Board is against the school administration’s process known as “leveling,” which Superintendent Dana T. Bedden explained is to provide more equitable teacher-student ratios in schools across the district.
Gov. uses powers for gun control
Gun-toting Virginians, except for law enforcement and military personnel, are to be banned from state office buildings — even if they have concealed weapons permits. Separately, judges are to be encouraged to force people involved in domestic violence to surrender guns they own if they are subject to protective orders.
Crusade for Voters announces endorsements
Democrat Daniel Gecker has secured the endorsement of the Richmond Crusade for Voters in the hotly contested four-way race in the 10th Senate District, which includes a big chunk of the city. The Crusade announced Wednesday that it’s throwing its support behind Mr. Gecker, a member of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Chesterfield NAACP president acquitted; Lucas arrested for stalking
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP has been found not guilty of assaulting an NAACP member and advocate for special needs children. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr., who also serves as secretary of the state NAACP, was acquitted last week at a hearing in Chesterfield General District Court.
Armstrong High music teacher fired
Willie D. “Will” Griffin has won plaudits during his eight years as a music teacher at Armstrong High School. Best known for his work with the school’s choir, Mr. Griffin was named Armstrong’s Teacher of the Year in 2013 — the same year he took eight choir members to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall, a first for the school system.
Hammond to VSU: Bye
Interim president out of consideration for top job
Virginia State University soon may have a new president, but it won’t be Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, VSU’s interim president. Dr. Hammond unexpectedly has pulled her name from consideration for the university’s top job — notifying the head of VSU’s board of visitors that she no longer is interested and would be leaving when her current contract expires Dec. 31. In a four-page letter to VSU Rector Harry Black dated Oct. 14, Dr. Hammond provided the required 60-day notice that she did not want the board to “renew my current contract” and was “formally withdrawing my name for further consideration as a candidate for the presidency.”
Buyer beware
Consumers may flip wig over falsely labeled hair
Unsuspecting women are being ripped off when it comes to buying wigs. They are being induced to pay higher prices for cheaper wigs that are falsely labeled as being a more expensive product. So says Mary J. Harris, a retired Richmond factory worker.
Historic Eggleston Hotel site to get new life
Development soon could be underway on 31-unit apartment project in Jackson Ward. The proposed Eggleston Plaza, which has been planned for five years, is at the site of the former Eggleston Hotel at 2nd and Leigh streets.
State NAACP annual convention to start Oct. 30 in Richmond
National NAACP President and CEO Cornell W. Brooks, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and celebrated political commentator Roland S. Martin will address civil rights activists from around Virginia at the 80th Annual Convention of the Virginia State Conference NAACP in Richmond.
