Denied for dissent?
Several Virginia Commonwealth University students who did everything they needed to do to graduate were denied their degree for sitting on the wrong patch of grass on April 29.
Historic Reservations
Last week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its annual list of the most endangered historic places. This year’s list includes the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in King William County.
Museum defies Trump’s crusade to rewrite history, by Marc H. Morial
“He can try to rewrite history, but we have the receipts. And as the Smithsonian’s exhibits magnificently illustrate, African Americans have survived — and overcome — much worse than the frothings of a puffed-up president who fancies himself a king.” …
Pope Leo XIV seems well loved — but for how long? by Clarence Page
Once loyal Chicagoans got over the double shock of hearing that a local native, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has been named the 267th pope, some critically important, locally familiar questions came up:
From Reconstruction to today, equity efforts meet familiar opposition
The United States’ relationship with diversity, equity and inclusion is not anomalous—it is as American as discrimination itself. Since Donald Trump’s first term in office, DEI has become a central political focus of his administration, matching previous efforts in principle …
Library budget cuts hurt all students
The school library is a place where inquiry begins and a love of learning is born. This has been quietly vanishing in schools.
Mother’s Day tribute
This was originally published in the Richmond Free Press on the Editorial Page for the May 10-12, 2007 edition as a special Mother’s Day tribute.
Is America still a ‘shining city’ on a hill? By R.L. Byrd
On the night of Jan. 11, 1989, near the end of a 21-minute farewell address, President Ronald Reagan asked the television audience, “How stands ‘The City’ on this winter night?” The City—a reimagined America based off highly controversial pioneer John …
Will Trump have Chicago to kick around anymore? by Clarence Page
Will Donald Trump have Chicago to kick around anymore? That question, an update of Richard Nixon’s memorable farewell to news reporters as he dropped out of the California governor’s race in 1962, came to mind on the heels of some …
Diversity on the ticket, division in the ranks
This year, Virginia Republicans are running an immigrant from Jamaica, an openly gay former talk show host and a Cuban American for statewide offices. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Didn’t they get the memo from the Oval Office that …
Pope Francis: Instrument of peace, antithesis of MAGA, by J. Basil Dannebohm
As a record number of pilgrims representing all walks of life filled the streets of Rome to mourn the death of “The People’s Pope,” history will indicate the fiercest critics of the Francis Pontificate were American Catholics. This should come …
Durbin’s departure stirs a scramble, by Clarence Page
As President Trump’s polling takes a tumble 100 days into his second term — and Dick Durbin, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat, announces his retirement, a very old hit tune by Ethel Waters comes to mind: “There’ll be some changes made.”
Pope Francis: an advocate for Black America, by Julianne Malveaux
His Holiness Pope Francis made his transition on the morning of after Easter Sunday, after he delivered an Easter blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, and after he toured St. Peter’s Square in his popemobile. His doctors had …
Good trouble gets results in Hanover
Let’s take a moment to applaud the good work of the Hanover Branch NAACP. In a county that’s more that 80% white, you might think highlighting the concerns of African Americans is one of those jobs that isn’t worth the …
Still Black and still proud, by David W. Marshall
As an international music icon, James Brown emerged as one of the founding fathers of funk with a musical style that often profoundly influenced R&B, jazz, and rock.
