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Conversations to repurpose the old Richmond Community Hospital building ‘did not bear fruit’
My name is Mary DePillars and I am an alumna of Virginia Union University concerned about recent comments attributed to VUU personnel regarding the old Richmond Community Hospital building. I shared my Feb, 15, 2024, letter to the Richmond Free Press with VUU’s alumni relations manager that same day. However, for context, I am expanding those comments as follows:
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Whipping up war, disrespect
If we needed further proof of the Republican disrespect shown to President Obama, the nation witnessed the latest insult Tuesday with the visit of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, where he addressed a joint session of Congress. His appearance was at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican who flouted protocol and decency by neither consulting nor informing the White House first.
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State legislature bent to Dominion’s pressure
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Richmond ranks No. 1 among the 100 most challenging places to live with asthma in the United States. But you’d never know that by the way the Virginia General Assembly deals with legislation sought by Dominion Virginia Power.
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Dr. Robert M. Screen, Hampton University’s longtime winning tennis coach, dies
Dr. Robert Martin Screen, who ushered Hampton University tennis into the national spotlight, died Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in Hampton. In more than 40 years of coaching at HU, Dr. Screen led the Pirates to two NCAA Division II tennis championships, 22 straight CIAA titles and 11 consecutive MEAC crowns.
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Serena beats Venus, continues streak
The heavy hitting shook the ground and the volume would have raised the Centre Court roof had it been closed, as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka traded blows like a couple of prizefighters at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
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Mobilizing for ‘Justice’ march
When Minister Louis Farrakhan issues a sacred clarion call for a national and international mobilization for justice, freedom and equality, millions of people across America and throughout the world respond with responsive enthusiasm and energy. Such was the case in response to the minister’s call for the Million Man March in Washington, 20 years ago. I believe that history will be made once again on Oct. 10 in Washington.
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VCU Rams continue wins with ‘havoc’
Virginia Commonwealth University Coach Shaka Smart’s not-so-secret formula for “havoc” features two main ingredients: Feeding-frenzy defense and the ever-present green light for 3-pointers.
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New SCLC chapter chartered in Richmond
The Rev. Dwayne E. Whitehead is the leader of a new Richmond area chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
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McDonnell skirts jail with appeal
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell will remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction on corruption charges. In a win for the one-time Republican star, he will not have to report to prison in two weeks to start his two-year sentence. That’s the result of Monday’s order from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The order approved the request from Mr. McDonnell’s legal team for him to remain free while his jury conviction is challenged. The two-page order also took a slap at U.S.JudgeJamesR.Spencer,whopresided
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Lawyer contends no justification for U.Va. student’s arrest
State ABC agents charged University of Virginia honor student Martese Johnson with public intoxication even though the agents did not believe he was drunk, according to their statements. Instead, they believed he might be using a false ID.
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‘Equity and Excellence’ needed
All across the country, people are gathering to observe an annual academic rite of passage — graduation. In a scene that will be played out countless times during this season of celebration, family and friends will dutifully take their seats in auditoriums and at sports fields around the nation and proudly look on as their loved ones walk across stages to receive their diplomas or degrees and, finally, turn the tassel on their graduation caps.
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Washington National Cathedral faces calls to remove stained glass of Confederate generals
After quietly removing panes bearing the Confederate flag from its stained glass windows, leaders of the Washington National Cathedral are now wondering what to do about remaining images of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
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Thompson resigns as football coach at John Marshall High
Damon “Redd” Thompson, admitting “the fire came out of me,” has stepped down as John Marshall High School’s football coach following three disappointing seasons.
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The Trump campaign façade
The verity of Donald J. Trump’s popularity with many in this nation should not come as a surprise. There are scores of people who have been made to feel as though they have been painted into a corner by forces — real or imagined — that are beyond their control. Mr. Trump, being the arrogant mastermind of situational exploitation and grandiose self-promotion, has managed to effectively prey upon the fears of those who have harbored aversion of those they deem to be unlike them.
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Johnson named interim president of national NAACP
The national NAACP announced a new interim leader, along with a nationwide listening tour that will allow the organization’s leaders to talk to local members and figure out the future direction of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.
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‘Bubba’ takes run in NASCAR history
There hasn’t been a full-time African-American driver on NASCAR’s premier circuit since Virginian Wendell Scott retired in 1973.
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Christian coalition protests Trump’s planned budget cuts
With ashes on their foreheads, sackcloth draped around their necks and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop, Christian leaders used the words “evil” and “immoral” to describe the federal budget cuts President Trump has proposed and many Republican lawmakers favor.
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Transgender law tweaked in N.C. after backlash
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory slightly altered a new state law denounced as discriminatory with an executive order Tuesday, but the Republican stood firm on a controversial provision restricting transgender bathroom access. The governor’s order expands protections against discrimination for state employees to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Gov. McCrory also asked lawmakers to restore the right to sue in state court for discrimination, an option taken away by the measure passed last month.
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New Richmond judge sworn in
With help from her brother, Christian, Mary Elizabeth Langer donned the black robe of a judge. She was formally installed last Friday as the newest judge on the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. She succeeds Judge Angela E. Roberts, who retired July 29 after 26 years on the bench.
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A true freedom fighter
Say the name Jack Gravely, and people even in the farthest corners of Virginia are likely to know who you’re talking about. Mr. Gravely, the un-bought, un-bossed two-time head of the state NAACP, died Monday, bringing to a close a life dedicated to ensuring the freedoms as outlined by the founding fathers were equally applied to people of color. He fought for equal rights in voting, fairness in housing and equality in job opportunities, education and pay. And no matter what far-flung part of the state people experiencing problems lived in, Mr. Gravely was there.
