VCU and the SATs
We applaud the move this week by Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao to eliminate SAT scores as a criteria for admission. In a major policy change announced Tuesday, Dr. Rao said applicants with a GPA of 3.3 or higher no longer will be required to submit scores from the test that he called “fundamentally flawed.”
Scales unbalanced
On Jan. 19, the Virginia General Assembly scrubbed from the state judiciary the name of Judge Birdie Hairston Jamison, who was up for reappointment to the Richmond General District Court. Judge Jamison, 57, is chief judge of the city’s busy traffic court, having served on the bench for more than 23 years. She is the longest serving traffic court judge in the state. k
The real Obama re-emerges
President Barack Obama knocked it out of the park during the State of the Union address. He was strong, progressive, firm and relaxed. He was almost cocky as he offered a few jokes, smugly announced that he would have no more elections, and just generally exuded confidence. Instead of the kumbaya thing, he laid out his priorities to a Republican Congress that likely will block much of what he proposed, especially when it comes to raising taxes on the wealthy to support his free community college program.
White savior not required
The fierce and aligned — if not coordinated — campaign to smear the motion picture “Selma” by suggesting it inaccurately portrays the role of President Lyndon B. Johnson in the fight for African-Americans’ civil rights is par for the course. Critics of the movie that focuses on the campaign for voting rights waged in Selma, Ala., suggest that President Johnson was a champion for civil rights and is principally responsible for securing voting rights for African- Americans.
Sign up for affordable health care by Feb. 15
Too many in our city lack health insurance. However, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affords us the opportunity to do something about it. Residents can now take advantage of an open enrollment period for health care plans available under the ACA.
State legislature oblivious to plight of working poor
On Jan. 19, while the rest of the nation was giving recognition to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Virginia Senate’s Commerce and Labor Committee voted down one of several measures that would have increased the state’s minimum wage.
Wake up and change the world
Wake Up Everybody” was a song by R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1975. It could be the theme song for today’s African- Americans. The lyrics, written by Gene McFadden and John Whitehead, who also pinned and performed “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” are so poignant that I won’t fully repeat them here. Like my grandson says, “Google them, Papa.” YouTube has several renditions.
Someday we’ll get to the point where we are all Americans
Re “A new moniker?” Dec. 24-27 edition: The writer suggests that it would be more accurate to say American Africans rather than African-Americans. I couldn’t disagree more.
‘Isn’t She Lovely’ art to open at Pine Camp
Photographs, paintings, quilts, sculptures, masks and other works of art will focus on themes of African-American female beauty. They will be showcased at the “Isn’t She Lovely” art exhibition, hosted by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.
Rosenwald schools focus of new exhibit
“African-American Schools during the Segregated Era” is now on view at historic Trinity Church in Chesterfield County. Open to the public, the exhibit focuses on six of the 10 schools that were built in the county with the support of the Rosenwald Fund, according to the organizer, the nonprofit Chesterfield County Historical Society.
Paintings by local artists on view beginning Feb. 6
It’s called “Congruent Images.” The exhibit of paintings by veteran Richmond area artists P. Muzi Branch and William “Blue” Johnson will be presented by the Elegba Folklore Society at its cultural center, 101 E. Broad St. in Downtown.
Holton to guest direct VCU jazz benefit concert
State Secretary of Education Anne Holton will serve as guest director at a Virginia Commonwealth University jazz event to raise money for legal services for low-income communities, the school has announced. Ms. Holton is to guest direct the VCU Jazz Orchestra I at the inaugural Jazz 4 Justice concert Friday, Jan. 30, according to a university news release.
Personality: Todd B. Waldo
Spotlight on president of Robinson Theater Community Arts Center
Todd B. Waldo recalls eagerly watching the restoration of the Robinson Theater at 29th and Q streets in Church Hill in 2008. “I live two blocks from there,” he says. “I still remember the first time I walked by and saw the marquee lights turned on. I was proud of the work. And seeing ‘Robinson’ shining brightly at the front of the building gave me hope.” The newly renovated facility reopened in February 2009 as the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center under the leadership of Executive Director Betsy Hart.
On the cusp of Black History Month, area ministers reflect on community issues
Like many others, the Rev. Emory Berry of Fourth Baptist Church in the East End is on a reflective journey as the nation commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and nears the start of Black History Month. The self-examination comes amid an ongoing “national conversation” on searing social issues such as law enforcement’s fractured relationship with African-Americans, a widening economic gap and disparities in jobs and educational opportunities in communities of color.
Essie L. Miller, 63, RRHA commissioner
Essie LaDean Miller, a former commissioner of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, sought to make life better for residents of Fairfield Court and other public housing communities Ms. Miller was an outspoken voice for residents until her death Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. She was 63.
Evelyn S. Fraser succumbs at 97
Evelyn Swann Fraser was known for her kind, loving, generous spirit and her devotion to her family and friends. When her sister, Lillian, fell ill at an early age, she cared for her until her death at age 38.
James L. Hawkins, 95, retired educator
James L. Hawkins had a treasured saying he loved to pass along to his stu- dents during more than two decades as an educator. “Use your mind, but use your hands as well,” his son, Darryl Hawkins, recalled of his father’s adherence to a strong work ethic in and outside of the classroom.
Gloria Cephas Venter, 79, retired teacher
Whether she was teaching a classroom of students or spending time with her four grandchildren, Gloria Cephas Venter loved to dote on youngsters. “What really stood out was Mom’s dedication to young minds,” said her daughter, Julie V. Edmonds. “Mom had a way of making every child feel important and worthy. She really made a difference in a lot of lives.”
Petersburg vice mayor Carl ‘Mike’ Ross, 63
Carl “Mike” Ross loved serving others. It was in his DNA. For two decades, he dedicated his life to public service in Petersburg. He was on the Petersburg City Council for the past 11 years and had been appointed the city’s vice mayor in early January. Before that, he was on the Petersburg School Board from 1995 to 2001. He served as board chair from 1998 to 2001.
Baseball pioneer Ernie Banks dies at 83
Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, the pioneering and famously affable slugger hailed by the team as “the greatest Cub in franchise history,” died Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at age 83, the club announced.
