Wednesday, Feb. 18, marked the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter when many Christians abstain from animal foods in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before launching his ministry. But meat-free Lent is much …

For the third time in four years, the Virginia Senate has voted to ratify the long overdue Equal Rights Amendment. If ratified by the House of Delegates, Virginia would become the 36th out of the 38 states needed to ratify …

As we celebrate Black History Month, we have the opportunity to reflect on our culture, our history, our triumphs and all the mountains we still have yet to climb. From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we have learned that “the …

Ernie Banks, Mr. Cub, died at 83. Mr. Banks became the Cubs’ first black player on Sept. 17, 1953, six years after Jackie Robinson broke the modern day color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was elected to the Hall …

Just last week, we found out that the Obama administration plans to pay for “free” community college by taxing money set aside in 529 college savings plans.

Joseph Califano’s statement that Selma was President Lyndon B. Johnson’s idea is patently false. Although the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Com- mittee had come to Alabama earlier to organize to obtain the right to vote, the Alabama Right to Vote movement …

Judge Birdie Jamison has been a judge on Richmond’s General District Court for more than 23 years. She has had no allegations of any unethical actions and no allegations of illegalities. And, certainly, no one can question Judge Jamison’s competence …

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 …

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 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 …

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.

Re “Lanier, Wilson among favorite NFLers with local start,” Jan. 8-10 edi- tion: I truly enjoyed the article and seeing all the great talent that got their start right here in Richmond.

Just a week after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act with broad bipartisan support.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is a wonderful time to stop and reflect on the leadership that has guided us to a moment full of diversity.

Some of my friends refer to themselves as African-Americans.