Charity no substitute for justice
In his speech the night before his murder, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. repeated the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan who stopped and helped the desperate traveler who had been beaten, robbed and left half dead as he journeyed along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. The Good Samaritan is traditionally considered a model of charity for his willingness to treat a stranger as a neighbor and friend. Dr. King agreed that we all are called to follow his example and serve those around us who need help. But he reminded us that true compassion — true justice — requires attacking the forces that leave others in need in the first place.
The black-on-black murder myth
Conservative blogs, websites, newspapers and pundits are at it again, screaming that young black males are killing each other with abandon in city after city. They repeatedly toss out the supposedly raging murder violence in Baltimore, Chicago and New York City as proof that black- on-black carnage has mounted to national epidemic levels. It makes no difference that murder rates have drastically plunged in most big cities during the past two decades, and that Chicago and Baltimore are glaring aberrations to the consistent steady national decline in murders.
Primary lesson
Primary lesson With Tuesday’s primary elections now in the rear view mirror, we reflect on the lesson we can take into the Nov. 3 general election.
Bad cop registry
Out of control.That’s how the police chief of McKinney, Texas, described the abhorrent actions of former police Cpl. Eric Casebolt in responding to a call at an end-of-school pool party in a suburban Dallas neighborhood.
Stephanie T. Rochon, 50, local TV news anchor
Stephanie Therese Rochon knew no strangers, whether she was anchoring the evening news at WTVR CBS6, worshipping at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico County or out in the community. “She was just a very happy person,” her husband, Jeffery D. Moten, said.
Serena wins 20th major trophy at French Open
Nothing, absolutely nothing, could stop Serena Williams from winning her 20th grand slam singles title. She joyously bounced around in delight as she hoisted the glistening French Open trophy last Saturday.
VIA Heritage Committee to meet June 20
An organization wants to preserve the history of the Virginia Interscholastic Association, including possibly setting up a VIA Hall of Fame.
Leroux shines on U.S. women’s soccer team
Talent plus controversy equals Sydney Leroux. The 25-year-old striker figures heavily into the main plot — and subplot — for this year’s Women’s World Cup soccer tournament.
Area players helped teams to NBA Finals
Area fans have no local favorite playing in this year’s Cleveland — Golden State NBA Finals. But that hasn’t always been the case.
Tomorrow’s Promise scholars named by RRHA
Ten college-bound students are being awarded Tomorrow’s Promise scholarships from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
3 ministers to be elevated to bishop by Temple of Judah network
Three Pentecostal ministers will be elevated to bishops next week at a ceremony that also will launch a new network of churches to be based at the Temple of Judah in Church Hill.
Jazz program to benefit All Souls Presbyterian
Jazz will seek to “Raise the Roof” at All Souls Presbyterian Church in North Side.
2 Richmond gospel icons to perform at Petersburg’s Gillfield Baptist Church for Father’s Day service
Two longtime Richmond gospel artists are scheduled to perform at the Father’s Day service 11 a.m. Sunday, June 21, at historic Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg.
Texas cop resigns over pool party debacle
A white policeman seen in a cellphone video tossing a 14-year-old, bathing suit-clad black girl to the ground and burying his knees in her back resigned Tuesday from the McKinney police force.
Plans shelved to turn Highland Park school into apartments
A $10 million proposal to convert the former St. Elizabeth Catholic School on North Side into 92 affordable apartments for the elderly and disabled has been sidelined, at least for the time being.
Free meals available for children this summer
Children will be able to get a nutritious breakfast and lunch this summer at no charge at sites in Richmond and Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties.
Warren found not guilty in document case
Not guilty. That’s the legal status of Deidre Warren, the mother of former Delegate Joseph D. Morrissey’s 19-year-old girlfriend, Myrna Pride.
