The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) states, in part, that its mission is to “improve the economic, educational, political and social conditions of African-Americans and other underrepresented groups in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Given this pointed self-description, the VLBC clearly …

American students need to hit the books. The latest international data show the United States ranks 24th among 34 developed countries in math and science achievement, including well below countries such as Slovenia, Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

We applaud Gov. Terry McAuliffe in his call to end the homelessness of our country’s veterans who sleep on Virginia’s streets.

Donald Trump is a gateway drug to amnesia. He causes one to forget that racism was responsible for World War II. The Germans, the Japanese and the Italians all thought of themselves as being superior human beings.

I recently passed by St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville and saw the auction sign — 135-plus acres and 31 buildings for auction. This was depressing.

Re “Building for Children,” July 30-Aug. 1 edition:

The Confederacy was not the result of a North-South split, but was the creation of an Anglo Masonic conspiracy born on the heels of an American Revolution. It was designed to kill the new American Republic and the ideas of …

The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy.

Congratulations to all of the students with perfect attendance, high grade point averages and scholarships. Congratulations to the parents as well.

Have you noticed that mass killings occur in churches, schools and gun-free military areas, but not at gun shows or police stations?

Re “Democrats suppressed, mistreated black people,” letter to the editor, July 23-25 edition: Mr. Urchie B. Ellis sorely needs a crash course in American history or he could simply borrow a fifth-grader’s history book. Mr. Ellis is being disingenuous and …

I don’t believe we are being honest about the true meaning of the “N” word. Webster defines the “N” word as: A negro; in a vulgar derision or depreciation.

A flag represents its country and that country’s Constitution. Those for whom we built Confederate monuments swore to uphold the Confederate Constitution.

For the most part, our pulpits were silent when the freedom of religion and conscience became a matter of state licensure in 1954 when churches were included in the Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3), as mere nonprofit organizations.

Re “Case against Bill Cosby continues to escalate,” July 16-18 edition: In Bill Cosby’s defense, I really don’t believe he raped all those women.