Budget deal better than default
The House and Senate passed a bipartisan budget deal recently that addresses spending caps, the debt limit, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability Insurance and many other items important to Virginians. This budget addressed issues that Congress desperately needed to tackle, and I’m happy to have voted in favor of the deal.
Study all the candidates
Not too far off from these so-called presidential debates will be the Republican and Democratic parties’ nominating conventions.
Testing failing our students
Across the country, parents have been in revolt against high-stakes standardized testing, with kids tested over and over again while creativ ity is cut out of classroom curricula. Parents — particularly in targeted urban schools from Chicago to Boston — also are marching against the forced closing of neighborhood schools, displacing kids and shutting down needed neighborhood centers. Now there is more and more evidence that the parents have it right — and the deep-pocket “reformers” are simply wrong.
Racial bias in jury selection
Illegal and unconstitutional jury selection procedures cast doubt on the integrity of the whole judicial process. They create the appearance of bias in the decision of individual cases, and they increase the risk of actual bias as well. – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Peters v. Kiff (1972)
On their shoulders
From the black soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War to the University of Missouri students and football players of color who learned this week the power of unity and strategic action, the fight by African-Americans for respect and equal treatment in this country has been a long one.
N.C. Moral Monday leader urges local NAACP to mobilize
“This is no time for foolishness,” said the Rev. William J. Barber II in an energizing message at the Richmond Branch NAACP’s Freedom Fund Awards Gala last Saturday.
Richmond Christian Center sending up a prayer for $
Thursday, Dec. 17. That’s the deadline for the bankrupt Richmond Christian Center to pay $200,000 in back taxes and overdue legal and accounting bills.
Student protests bring down Mizzou president, chancellor
The University of Missouri’s president stepped down Monday, and its chancellor moved aside, after protests by the school’s students and football team over alleged inaction against racial abuse on campus.
Panthers win 28-27 over Trojans; now looking for NCAA bid
Virginia Union University has rested its case — a powerful case for sure — in its effort to win a NCAA football playoff invitation.
Hoops season starts this weekend for VUU, VSU
Basketball season is about to start for Virginia Union University and Virginia State University. Both CIAA schools open this weekend with a pair of games against non-conference opponents. For VUU, the first test for new Coach Jay Butler will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, against Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va.
NBA takes bite out of Big Apple Classic
Virginia Union University’s basketball team will be staying in Richmond this year to take on CIAA rival Virginia State University, rather than heading to New York.
Pugh to be inducted in Black College Football Hall of Fame
Former Elizabeth City State University star Jethro Pugh, who died Jan. 7, has been named to the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
New play highlights renowned Richmond actor Charles Gilpin
The name of renowned actor Charles S. Gilpin has long faded in Richmond and elsewhere. Here in his birthplace, the only recognition for the 1920s Broadway star is the public housing community that is named for him — Gilpin Court, located just north of Downtown.
Black History Museum lighting up the night with ceremony Nov. 20
Lights will shine at the new Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. The museum will hold an illumination ceremony 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the building at 122 W. Leigh St., museum Director Tasha Chambers has announced.
Fundraiser for group aiding domestic violence victims
The Carol Adams Foundation. will host is 4th Annual CAFI’s Purple Carpet Affair fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at The Carillon in Byrd Park, 1300 Blanton Ave.
Petersburg cemetery gets historical marker
A state historical marker now commemorates the People’s Memorial Cemetery in Petersburg. The marker was unveiled last Sunday at the entrance of the 175-year-old African-American burial ground at 334 S. Crater Road.
Jackson Ward church hosts Social Justice Weekend
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward is hosting a “Social Justice Weekend” Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15.
‘Abolitionists’ Museum’ play Saturday at East End church
Nat Turner, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and John Brown and other 19th-century freedom fighters will be portrayed in the play “Abolitionists’ Museum” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Location: Thirty-first Street Baptist Church, 823 N. 31st St., in the East End.
Post Million Man March Anniversary
Nation of Islam, 100 Black Men to collaborate
The Nation of Islam will team up with 100 Black Men of America, an influential national black male organization dedicated to improving the quality of life within communities, to reinvigorate local organizing committees nationwide to move their agenda forward.
