The politics of courage
If Donald Trump can thrive politically by throwing meat to the American id, what else is possible? How about the opposite? Mr. Trump’s most recent attempt to reclaim poll supremacy — his call for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our representatives can figure out what’s going on” — is not simply reckless and dangerous, but also starkly clarifying. America’s bully billionaire is channeling old-time American racism, as mean and ugly and self-righteous as it has ever been. Jim Crow is still with us. “The only good Indian is a dead Indian” is still with us. Americans — at least a certain percentage of them — like their racism straight up, untampered with code language, unmodified by counter-values. Come on! An enemy’s an enemy. A scapegoat’s a scapegoat. Don’t we have the freedom in this country to dehumanize and persecute whomever we want?
New leaf in the new year
In two weeks, we will celebrate a new year. In four weeks, the Virginia General Assembly will start its 2016 legislative session. Their actions will determine whether the state springs forward with progress and uplift for all, or will be mired in a bog of callous self-interests and regressive politics.
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival at Altria Theater Dec. 26
The main stage will reverberate with the sounds of African music, dance and spoken word. The African Market will offer African-inspired cuisine, thought-provoking books, finely handcrafted and imported items, colorful clothing, jewelry and more.
Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’ grosses $2.1M in 10 days
Director Spike Lee hopes his latest film “Chi-Raq,” an adaptation of ancient Greek play “Lysistrata” looking at Chicago’s gun violence, will help make a difference in tackling the problem. Based on Aristophanes’ play in which the titular character rouses women to stop the Peloponnesian War by going on a sex strike, the movie sees Lysistrata try to persuade rival gangs to lay down their guns by using the same technique.
2016 NAACP Image Awards nominees announced
“Empire” leads the television nominees for the 2016 NAACP Image Awards. The scintillating drama is up for 12 trophies at the ceremony honoring diversity in the arts, including acting nominations for Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett and Grace Gealey.
Serena Williams named Sportsperson of the Year
Serena Williams, who held all four of tennis’ grand slam titles for the second time in her career and won 53 of 56 matches in 2015, was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine Monday.
Springers bring home the crown
Instead of Highland Springs High School, perhaps it should be Highlight Springs. Forget the slow but sure approach. Coach Loren Johnson’s Springers were fast and sure in sprinting to the State Division 5 football title last Saturday at the University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
VUU’s Shawheem Dowdy wins coveted Lanier Award
Willie Lanier starred for Morgan State University. But until now, no athlete from a historically black college or university had won the Touchdown Club of Richmond’s Lanier Award. The drought ended Dec. 9 when Virginia Union University quarterback Shawheem Dowdy won the Lanier Award. The trophy was presented to Dowdy by Lanier, a Richmond native, at a Henrico County hotel. The Lanier Award, dating to 2004, goes to Virginia’s top performer in the NCAA Division II or III or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Miguel Ojeda new manager of Flying Squirrels
For the second straight season, the parent San Francisco Giants have turned to a Latino to manage the Class AA Richmond Flying Squirrels.
John Marshall’s ‘Baby-faced Bomber’ morphs into ‘J-Rock’
It seems fitting Jeremy Carter-Sheppard goes by two surnames. That’s because he’s about twice as hard to guard as most teenagers. John Marshall High School’s hyphenated hero can wow you in so many ways. John Marshall Coach Ty White was asked if his senior star was most effective popping from outside, driving to the basket or dishing to teammates. Coach White’s quick reply: “All of the above.”
Golden State’s winning streak halted by Milwaukee
No one is contesting the Golden State Warriors’ status as the NBA’s best team last year and thus far this season. But are the Warriors the best of all time? Led by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Oakland franchise is on pace to achieve the top winning record since the NBA was founded in 1946.
Faith leaders, elected officials call for calm, respect for Muslims
Imam Ammar Amonette said he and the 2,000 members of his congregation at the Islamic Center of Virginia in Bon Air have seen the ugly face of hate in the wake of the recent terror attacks by Muslim extremists in San Bernadino, Calif., and Paris.
Charles A. Brown, 73, former Virginia Power official
Charles A. Brown woke up every morning with the same purpose in mind. “He wanted to help as many young people as he could,” said Pauline Brown, his wife of 48 years. “He was an exceptional man, very loving and caring. He would give you the shirt off his back,” she added.
Claudelia S. Barnes, 81, former med tech, teacher
Claudelia S. Barnes was born and raised in Richmond at a time when Jim Crow laws oppressed African-Americans and the Ku Klux Klan fomented a reign of terror. “The Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in her parents’ front yard when she was a teenager,” recalled Mrs. Barnes’ daughter, Dawn C. Cobb.
Personality: Altamese R. Johnson
Spotlight on winner of AARP Virginia’s Shaw Advocacy Award
Altamese R. Johnson first met the late Elvira B. Shaw in the early 1990s, when the two attended an AARP meeting with Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott of Newport News. The two became fast friends, advocating for issues important to AARP, whose stated mission is “leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service,” according to the organization.
Mistrial in Freddie Gray’s death
A mistrial was declared Wednesday in the case of a Baltimore police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old whose death while in police custody sparked riots last April.
NAACP vows to continue marches in Richmond man’s death
Black leaders marched in Virginia last Saturday to protest the death of an 46-year-old Richmond man who died in police custody after officers shocked him repeatedly with stun guns, and they vowed to continue marching until they believe that justice has been served.
New VSU president shares vision, receives support at official introduction
Brimming with confidence and eager to get started, the new president of Virginia State University is promising to first listen to students, faculty and staff and then roll out a “strategic vision that will be bold and purposefully challenging.” Among other things, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah wants VSU to be known for providing “a quality education,” to invest in specialty academic areas that would make the university more attractive while continuing to be “an opportunity university” for students who might not be admitted elsewhere.
State looks to expand youth voter participation
Thanks to a little-known law, many 17-year-olds in Virginia can have a voice in which Democratic or Republican candidate is selected to represent their party in the 2016 presidential election. The state law allows 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the Nov. 8, 2016, election to register in advance and vote in the state’s 2016 presidential primaries on March 1.
