Selma can be a beacon
Political leaders from across the country gathered last weekend in Selma, Ala., to commemorate “Bloody Sunday,” the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where peaceful demonstrators, attempting to cross the bridge, were violently driven back by Alabama State Troopers, …
Due process for Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax
Speaking on behalf of thousands of voters who voted for Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax in 2017, we urge Mr. Fairfax not to resign.
New History and Culture Commission
We were interested to see the list of appointees on Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s new History and Culture Commission that was released this week. It has been charged with advising the mayor and the city on creating more “equitable spaces …
The price of reconciliation
Out of crisis comes opportunity. And the blackface scandal that has thrown Virginia into chaos during the last month is no exception. But while Gov. Ralph S. Northam selfishly is determined to hang on to his seat rather than do …
Smollett and real hate crimes
Last week, the Southern Poverty Law Center announced that the number of hate groups in the United States continued to rise for the fourth consecutive year in 2018.
Slavery, history and warped games
According to some historians, Afrodescendants first entered these United States in 1619 off the coast of Virginia. If we believe that narrative, Afrodescendents have been in this country for 400 years. If the people who were kidnapped and brought here …
Accountability, not disrespect
I could not help but notice the African-American politicians, religious and community leaders who have chosen to side with Gov. Ralph S. Northam. Either they have forgotten or just overlooked his nickname, “Coonman.” Of all the people they could have …
Dismantle racist systems and start anew
The culture of white supremacy is the foundation upon which this nation was built. It has dominated every system of power in this country for the past 400 years.
Blackface dehumanizes African-Americans
Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s past actions are inexcusable and his current behavior is awful. Explicit, intentional racism is condemned in much of America, but we’re still failing to eliminate implicit racism caused by ignorance, status quo and apathy. Regardless of …
Happy anniversary, Mr. Kamras
The honeymoon is over for Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras.
Today’s last word from Richard Wright
We thank Richmond Free Press reader Rosalyn A. Brackett for sharing the words of author Richard Wright published in his 1945 memoir, “Black Boy.”
Blackface: An insulting mask of privilege
As a black student in overwhelmingly white schools in Louisiana, I faced my share of racial insults and slights. But one of the more memorable incidents was not even a deliberate slight directed at me. The offenders probably didn’t even …
Trump’s wall no national emergency
President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency in order to fund his border wall triggers a crisis for our Constitution and our democracy. This is no longer about the shameless lies, exaggerations and slanders that the president has trotted …
Forgive and hold Gov. Northam accountable
In the current political challenges facing our Commonwealth, I was taken aback by comments and ideologies espoused by the Rev. Al Sharpton during a gathering at Virginia Union University. I vehemently disagree with Rev. Sharpton’s observations on forgiveness in this …
Background checks for elected officials
Where are we as Virginians and Americans that we can strip a man of his reputation, career, family and livelihood based on an accusation that has not been proven in a court of law?
