Why Morrissey has black community support
RE “Morrissey should ‘stay out of the public eye” letter to the editor, June 4-6 edition: A Richmond newcomer questioned black political support for Joe Morrissey. The gentleman asked, “Why does Joe Morrissey seem to have such support in the black community?”
Police incidents a ‘great awakening’
Re “Survivor: U.Va. honor student talks arrest, future,” June 18-20 edition: It’s interesting that around the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and equal opportunity legislation, some of our federal representatives began calling for an end to the protection that these acts afforded minorities. The inference was that in two and a half generations, we had surpassed the need for those protections.
Stay strong’ Martese
Re “Survivor: U.Va. honor student talks arrest, future,” June 18-20 edition: Thanks, Free Press, for the very informative story on Martese Johnson. It gave a different version of this young man. He seems to be a very brilliant young man, with a good head on his shoulders. Free Press writer Joey Matthews should be given kudos for compiling this in-depth story.
Mouthing off is unacceptable behavior
Re “Bad cop registry” editorial, June 11-13 edition: Your editorial about the situation in McKinney, Texas, stated that “the officer’s unwarranted actions were pitted against children — unthreatening innocents who, according to the video, were doing nothing more than mouthing off.”
Examine racism from within
The recent violence perpetrated upon Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina was sickening. It seems as though our country is constantly regressing instead of progressing. Acts such as these continue to pour salt on the gaping gash of racial tension. Individually, we must ask ourselves if we are the ones “buying the salt” to pour on the wound. Indeed, this particular act was racially motivated. But all of us must bear in mind that evil is colorblind.
We must ‘lift our voices against all injustices’
What should we do in response to the Charleston massacre? We should let this tragic, traumatic massacre serve this generation of Africans as the generation that lived through the tragic lynching and execution of Emmett Till in Money, Miss., and the four little girls in Birmingham, Ala., were served by those events. Those brutal killings were among a series of tragic events that inspired a generation and nation to action.
Every person is made in God’s image
I pray for help for the people’s pain at the historic Emanuel AME Church of Charleston, S.C., and especially for the families of the victims and for the deeply wounded souls of the people of Charleston and America.
The buoyancy of hope
The Rev. Clementa Pinckney and his fellow congregants of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., gathered as usual in the historic edifice June 17 for their Wednesday evening Bible study. They came, as always, to refresh their religious faith, to testify and bear witness to the importance of living a life of righteousness and to extend to all, including the stranger in their midst, their welcome and their trust.
Freedom from a long-lost cause
Could this, at last, be the end of the Civil War? Or, as some fans of Southern heritage call it, the War Between the States? Or the War of Northern Aggression?
First steps
From the horrific massacre last week in a South Carolina church, the nation is witnessing a historic sea change in attitude regarding the chief symbol of racial hatred that has helped divide this country for so long — the Confederate flag. The flag was used on Civil War battlefields during the bloody four-year fight to keep black people enslaved.
Mo’ne rocks Richmond, MJBL
Baseball teen celebrity Mo’ne Davis didn’t disappoint with her pitching arm, her bat or glam image when she played last Saturday in Metro Richmond.
Players with Virginia ties may be picked in NBA draft
Three athletes with state and local ties could figure into the NBA’s annual draft June 25 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The best bet to hear his name called is Justin Anderson from Montross in Virginia’s Northern Neck, by way of the University of Virginia.
Average-sized players make big splash in NBA
History tells us that big men rule the NBA. But that history book may be in the process of being rewritten. The Golden State Warriors dominated the world’s toughest league this season with a different recipe than many other teams.
Bigger Huguenot moves to new sports conference
Starting with the 2015-16 school year, Richmond’s five comprehensive high schools no longer will compete in the same athletic conference.
50-year reunion
Student civil rights workers recall efforts
The Charleston, S.C., church shooting is an ugly reminder that “racist violence is not a ghost,” said Bruce Smith 71, of Woodbridge, a volunteer lobbyist for AARP.
Alumnus Rayvon Owen to sing Saturday with Richmond Boys Choir
The renowned Richmond Boys Choir is performing its season finale concert Saturday, June 27, at Virginia Union University — and they have a special guest.
Maggie Ingram, ‘Gospel Queen of Richmond,’ dies at 84
Evangelist Maggie Ingram — known as the “Gospel Queen of Richmond” — brought audiences to their feet in praise and worship at churches, festivals, auditoriums and other places for more than six decades.
Personality: Frances T. Hayes
Spotlight on host chapter president of Club Dejouir’s 60th conclave
Frances T. Hayes served two terms as president of the Richmond Chapter of Club Dejouir Inc. in the 1970s. Now, four decades later, she has embarked on her third term as president of the nonprofit women’s social and civic organization.
Shooting survivor carries own message of forgiveness
A Henrico County man who survived being shot eight times in 2004 — and later forgave the shooter — said he was moved to tears as family members of the nine victims of the Charleston, S.C., church massacre appeared last Friday in a Charleston courtroom and told Dylann Roof, the racist gunman, they forgave him.
Handling Ramadan and diabetes
Muslims around the world marked the start of Ramadan last week. The month of intense prayer includes dawn until sunset fasting and nightly feasts.
