When Freedom Came, Part 2
The Free Press presents a series chronicling the black experience during the liberation of Richmond in April 1865 and the end of the Civil War.
VUU’s history linked to city’s emancipation
In 150 years, Virginia Union University has risen like a phoenix from the ruins of Lumpkin’s Jail — where hundreds of thousands of enslaved black people were bought and sold like cattle — to become an educational training ground for local, state, national and international leaders. “For Virginia Union, starting out at a place that had been used as a slave jail to become a place of enlightenment that has produced outstanding citizens in America, it’s been miraculous,” university President Claude G. Perkins proudly declared. Dr. Perkins made his remarks on the eve of the city’s sesquicentennial celebration this weekend of Richmond’s liberation by Union troops from a Confederate government built on keeping black people in bondage.
A clash of freedoms in Indiana
Neither side in the uproar over Indiana’s “religious freedom restoration” law has been totally candid about its benefits or its dangers. That often happens in politics, an arena in which it often seems that no statement is too good to be overstated. For example, defenders of the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed last week, are technically correct when they say the law is not a “license to discriminate” against gays and lesbians as critics claim.
Young, gifted, black and abused
In the course of one week, we witnessed the burden of being young, gifted and black. First, the Little League baseball phenom Mo’ne Davis was insulted by a white college baseball player who called the abundantly talented young girl a ‘slut’ in a tweet in response to news that Disney was planning to make a movie about her incredible rise to fame. The player, Joey Casselberry, quickly retracted the tweet in the face of a wave of criticism in cyberspace and was promptly dismissed by the Bloomsburg University team.
Hatred in disguise
Shame on the governors and legislatures of Indiana and Arkansas for supporting their states’ so-called “religious freedom” bills that essentially would allow business owners to refuse to serve people they dislike. Members of the gay and lesbian community — and people of conscience — have loudly fought against these measures as vehicles to legally discriminate against gay couples and individuals.
Time to share
When health-threatening mold was found in Elkhardt Middle School, Richmond Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden and his staff took action. They ultimately closed the building and moved the teachers, students and staff to the reopened Clark Springs Elementary School building in the West End for the rest of the school year. But some parents and teachers remain unconvinced that the health threat at the South Richmond school building was just discovered earlier this year. They think that the adults and children at the school might have been exposed far longer, possibly exacerbating health issues or creating ones that may manifest in the future.
Call to action
Do you believe black lives matter? Here’s one good way to show it: Turn out for the “Blue Coats Parade” on Saturday, April 4, to show support for the U.S. Colored Troops who led the Union army in liberating Richmond and emancipating people from slavery 150 years ago.
President Obama to host Pope Francis at White House
President Obama will welcome Pope Francis to the White House during the pontiff’s U.S. visit in September to “continue the dialogue … on their shared values and commitments on a wide range of issues,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest has announced.
Ministers host Maundy Thursday, Good Friday services
The Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity is presenting Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services leading up to Easter weekend. The Rev. Vernon J. Hurte, pastor of New Light Baptist Church, will preach at noon Thursday, April 2, for the Maundy Thursday service that will be held at New Light Baptist, 2000 E. Broad St.
Jackson Ward church to present Easter drama
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Jackson Ward is presenting its Easter drama, “The Whip, The Hammer and The Cross,” this weekend, the church has announced. The production depicts parts of the life of Jesus and his crucifixion, according to the church’s pastor, the Rev. Tyrone Nelson.
Local music minister treasures experience at Stellar Awards
James Johnson did not win any Stellar Awards in Las Vegas last Saturday night, but he said it was an experience he will forever treasure. “I had an amazing time,” the minister of music at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God told the Free Press Monday after returning to Richmond. “The outpouring of phone calls, text messages and Facebook posts I received in support from everyone back home in Richmond made me feel like nothing less than a winner.”
Two new women’s groups chartered
Two national women’s organizations chartered local chapters in luncheon ceremonies last weekend. Above, 40 women were installed into the Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. The 33-year-old organization’s mission is to develop leaders and empower African-American women.
MBL honors business owners at awards gala
Software developer Keshau Rogers is the Metropolitan Business League’s Entrepreneur of the Year. The founder and CEO of Richmond-based Websmith Group, Ms. Rogers received the MBL’s top award March 26 at the group’s 24th annual awards dinner and reception at a Downtown hotel. A Lynchburg native, Ms. Rogers founded the company in 2004 after working 10 years in software development. Her company is at 318 W. Broad St. in Downtown and offers Internet software and mobile applications for information management.
Monument Avenue race freezes out African elite runners
The popular Monument Avenue 10K looks pretty much the same as it always has — except for the runners at the very front of the pack. Approximately 30,000 runners, joggers and walkers signed up for this year’s 16th edition of the annual event coordinated by Richmond Sports Backers.
Petersburg PACE program closing
Riverside Health System is closing its Petersburg PACE program designed to keep elderly people in their homes and avoid expensive nursing home care. Sixty-seven people served by the program will be affected, said Riverside spokesperson Caitlyn Worner. She said they are being encouraged to continue the program at one of two Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) locations in Richmond, with transportation provided. Individuals known as navigators are assigned to help them transition to care in Richmond this month.
Senate race may prove crucial in chamber control
Richmond will be in the center of the high-profile political fight to replace retiring Republican state Sen. John Watkins in the General Assembly. Both major political parties are expected to go all out to capture the 10th Senate District seat that appears to be the key to control of the closely divided state Senate where Republicans now hold sway. The GOP already has selected its candidate, Glen H. Sturtevant Jr., an attorney and a member of the Richmond School Board since 2013.
3 Dems knocked out of primary races
Three potential contenders for Richmond area seats in the General Assembly have been knocked out at the starting gate — at least temporarily. Former Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey and Dr. Derik E. Jones, son of Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, are among the disqualified. Both were blocked from challenging state Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance in a Democratic primary in the 16th Senate District that stretches from Richmond to Petersburg.
Judge throws out felony charges against Morrissey
Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey no longer has four felony charges hanging over his head. Judge Alfred D. Swersky threw out the indictments facing the former General Assembly member Wednesday at a hearing in Henrico County Circuit Court. Judge Swersky, who was appointed to hear the case, agreed with defense attorney Anthony Troy that a previous plea deal that resulted in Mr. Morrissey serving 90 days in jail included a grant of immunity that blocked prosecutors from bringing any new charges related to that case.
‘Bloody, but unbowed’
U.Va. student beaten by ABC agents; Gov. McAuliffe orders all agents retrained
The photo of Martese Johnson lying dazed, bloodied and bruised on the pavement is almost iconic. Blood streams like huge tears from the gash on his forehead and covers his face. His shirt is saturated with blood. The gruesome image of the University of Virginia honors student was captured in photographs and by video only seconds after he was slammed to the ground by state Alcoholic Beverage Control agents outside a Charlottesville bar last week on St. Patrick’s Day. The images, posted on the Internet, have gone viral — drawing fire from people across the nation as yet another example of unwarranted police brutality unleashed against a young black male.
When Freedom Came, Part 1
The Free Press presents a series chronicling the black experience during the liberation of Richmond in April 1865 and the end of the Civil War.
