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VUU Panthers upended in exhibition game against VCU Rams
College basketball preseason exhibitions are more about evaluating talent than the numbers on the scoreboard. In the final tune-up before the games really count, Virginia Commonwealth University used the home-floor advantage and a ferocious press to upend Virginia Union University 98-74 last Friday at the Siegel Center.
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Huguenot wins RPS Alumni Basketball Showdown
There’s still plenty of twinkle left in Huguenot High School’s former basketball stars. The Falcons rule the roost today as champion of the inaugural Richmond Public Schools Alumni Basketball Showdown.
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Update: Khloe ‘Texas Tornado’ Pointer wins state cross-country title
In cross-country romps over hill and dale, the 15-year-old Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School sophomore, Khloe Pointer, combines a tireless stride with a fierce competitive spirit that belies her petite 5-foot-4, 102 pounds.
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CIAA champion VSU heads to NCAA playoffs
Virginia State University is the CIAA Football Champion for the first time since 1996 and eagerly awaiting its first-ever NCAA playoff game.
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Who would have believed it?, by E. Faye Williams
From the silly to the sublime, to the serious, faster than the mind can cogitate, our societal norms are being manipulated from the “as expected” to the “never in a million years.” Re- flecting on what is presented to the masses daily, I can recall a time when a television se- ries like “The Real House- wives...” could never have been shown, and pimple-pop- ping would have been done in the privacy of one’s own bathroom, but no longer. Frivolity is often the trade- mark of a “who would have believed” event, but now, more often than not, rather than leaving us amused, they leave us shocked and in dismay and disbelief. The current trend in these events has us questioning how we might provide for increased security and safety for our families and ourselves. Who would have believed a time during which the serious- ness of a public health crisis in theformofaglobalpandemic would be denied? Can anyone explain when, in the face of such a pandemic, personal interests and comfort became paramount over the interests of the general state of health? Most assuredly, few people could have anticipated this “denial” state of mind among such large numbers of cases or that the disease would take the lives of more than 900,000 Americans. My bet is that even fewer people could have guessed the massive rejection of life- saving vaccines. In stark contrast to the cur- rent pandemic, the 1950s battle against polio was a lesson in Dr. E. Faye Williams cooperative discipline. With the exception of general mask- ing, Americans practiced ex- treme social distancing. In his book, “Paralyzed with Fear: The Story of Polio,” Gareth Wil- liams wrote, “Fearful of the spread of the contagious virus, (San Angelo, Texas) closed pools, swimming holes, movie theaters, schools and churches, forcing priests to reach out to their congregations on local radio. Some motorists who had to stop for gas in San Angelo would not fill up their deflated tires, afraid they’d bring home air containing the infectious virus. And one of the town’s best physicians diagnosed his patients based on his ‘clinical impression’ratherthantaking the chance of getting infected during the administration of the proper diagnostic test.” When Jonas Salk released his vaccine in 1955, he im- mediately was described as a “miracle worker” and, because he did not patent his vaccine, it was universally welcomed and produced in the United States and the world. Acceptance of his vaccine was so widespread that by1980, polio had been elimi- nated in the United States. One also must ask who would have believed a time in which the history of Black Americans is being openly erased from the curriculum of America’s public schools and from the conscience of the nation? Although barely taught, the instruction of Black history is under assault. It is er- roneously labeled as critical race theory and the new threshold of general acceptance is that it is presented in a manner which does not cause “guilt” or “discomfort” to the listener. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History, said, “Those who have no record of what their forebears have ac- complished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” He added, “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” For now, the vigilant see psychologicaleradicationasthe goal. Will the physical follow? I guess nothing should sur- prise us now as people now flock to certain gas stations for dinner! The writer is national presi- dent of the National Congress of Black Women Inc.
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As COVID-19 continues, community needs grow along with programs to help
Three years ago, Greta Randolph’s work to meet the needs of the Richmond community “exploded,” she says, as a novel disease began creating upheaval and disruption.
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Millions struggle to pay AC bills in heat waves
Federal aid reaches only a fraction
Bobbie Boyd is in a losing battle against near triple-digit temperatures in Northwest Arkansas.
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Built out or left out?
‘Just because we’re public housing (residents) does not make us any less’
After 69 years, Marilyn Olds, president of both the Richmond Tenant Organization and the Creighton Court Tenant Council, has bid farewell to her home in Creighton Court.
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Six key points from the scathing report on Minneapolis Police after George Floyd’s killing
The Justice Department on June 16 issued a scathing assessment of Minneapolis Police, alleging that racial discrimination and excessive force went unchecked before George Floyd’s killing because of inadequate oversight and an unwieldy process for investigating complaints.
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First wave of Afghan evacuees arrive at Fort Lee
It has been nearly two weeks since the first flight evacuating Afghans who worked alongside Americans in Afghanistan brought more than 200 people, including scores of children and babies in arms, to resettlement in the United States, and officials at Fort Lee are calling the operation a success so far.
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Broader vision called for in building new Wythe H.S.
How many new high school seats does Richmond need now and how many will it need in 20 years?
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Youngkin gets widespread pushback on attempt to lift mask mandate in schools
Just days after his inauguration, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin is getting major pushback from legislators, parents and public school systems around the Commonwealth – including the Richmond area – over his executive order to end school mask mandates.
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Win with ONE Casino
Like most cities, Richmond loves big shiny new projects because they symbolize progress.
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David Lee gives behind the scenes look at brother Spike in new book
When David Lee was growing up in Brooklyn, his older brother would drag him out of the house whenever he got the urge to make a film.
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Ousted president sues Liberty University over damaged reputation
Jerry Falwell Jr. has sued Liberty University, alleging the evangelical school founded by his late pastor father damaged his reputation in a series of public statements that followed his resignation as president and chancellor in August amid a series of scandals.
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Los Angeles Dodgers break ‘Curse of ‘88’ to win World Series
Now that baseball’s craziest season is over, historians will be discussing the Los Angeles Dodgers’ triumph in the 2020 World Series for many decades to come. Let’s get the conversation started.
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Henrietta Lacks estate sues company using her ‘stolen’ cells
COLLEGE PARK, Md. The estate of Henrietta Lacks sued a biotechnology company on Monday, accusing it of sell- ing cells that doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital took from the Black woman in 1951 without her knowledge or consent as part of “a racially unjust medical system.”
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'Gentle giant’
A. Donald McEachin, hailed as trailblazing figure in Virginia politics, dies
A few weeks before Rep. A. (Aston) Donald McEachin’s Nov. 8 successful bid to maintain his seat in U.S. Congress, he contacted Rev. Ralph Hodge, senior pastor at Richmond’s Second Baptist Church-Southside.
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Simone Biles wins a record 8th U.S. gymnastics title a full decade after her first
Simone Biles is not going to explain herself. Part of this is by design. Part of this is because she simply can’t.
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Bland family files lawsuit against Texas officials
The family of an African-American woman found dead in a Texas jail three days after a confrontation with a white state trooper filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the officer and other officials, saying it was a last resort after being unable to get enough information about the case.
