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EGACY

INSIDE

RVA anti-violence campaign returns - 2 Church leaders step into ICE policy - 9 Group tackling ‘mother’ of systems - 12 Social rejection and violence linked - 15

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

WEDNESDAYS • June 20, 2018

Richmond & Hampton Roads

LEGACYNEWSPAPER.COM • FREE

‘This is huge’

Black liberationist speaks out after spending 40 years in prison FROM STAFF & WIRE REPORTS The first member of a group of so-called black radicals known as the Move Nine who have been incarcerated, they insist unjustly, for almost 40 years for killing a Philadelphia police officer has been released from prison.

Debbie Sims Africa, 61, walked free from Cambridge Springs prison in Pennsylvania over the weekend, after being granted parole. She was 22 when with her co-defendants she was arrested and sentenced to 30 to 100 years for the shooting death of officer James Ramp during a police siege of the group’s communal home in August 1978.

She emerged from the correctional institution to be reunited with her son, Michael Davis Africa Jr, whom she gave birth to in a prison cell in September 1978, a month after her arrest.

“This is huge for us personally,” Sims Africa said, speaking from her son’s home in a small town on the outskirts of Philadelphia where she will now live.

Davis Africa, 39, who was separated from his mother at less than a week old and has never spent time with her outside prison, said they were coming to terms with being reunited after almost four decades.

“Today I had breakfast with my mother for the first time,” he said.

“There’s so much we haven’t done together.”

The release of Sims Africa is a major breakthrough as far as the ongoing incarceration of large numbers of individuals involved in

Debbie Sims Africa with her son after her release from prison. the black liberation movement of the late 1960s and 1970s who are now growing old behind bars. At least 25 men and women belonging to Move or the former Black Panther party remain locked up, in some cases almost half a century after their arrests.

Sims Africa’s release also addresses one of the most hotly contested criminal justice cases

in Philadelphia history. The nine were prosecuted together following a police siege of their headquarters in Powelton Village at the orders of Philadelphia’s notoriously hardline mayor and former police commissioner, Frank Rizzo.

Move, which exists today, regarded itself as a revolutionary movement committed to a healthy life free from oppression or pollution. In the 1970s

it was something of a cross between black liberationists and early environmental activists. Its members all take “Africa” as their last name, to signal that they see each other as family.

Hundreds of police officers, organized in SWAT teams and armed with machine guns, water cannons, teargas and bulldozers, were involved in the siege, which came at the end following a long standoff with the group relating to complaints about conditions in its premises. Two water cannon and smoke bombs were unleashed. The Move residents took refuge in a basement.

Sims Africa was eight months pregnant at the time and was holding her two-year-old daughter, Michelle.

“We were being battered with high-powered water and smoke was everywhere,” she said. “I couldn’t see my hands in front of my face and I was choking. I had to feel my way up the stairs to get out of the basement with my baby in my arms.”

Shooting broke out and Ramp was killed by a single bullet. Prosecutors alleged that Move members fired the fatal shot and charged Sims Africa and the other eight with collective responsibility for his death.

Eyewitnesses, however, gave accounts suggesting that the shot may have come from the opposite direction to the basement, raising the possibility that Ramp was accidentally felled, by police fire.

After the raid was over, weapons were found within the property. None were in operative condition.

In 1985, Philadelphia authorities

(continued on page 5)

The LEGACY

2 • June 20, 2018

News

“Respect Richmond” anti-violence campaign returns “Respect Richmond”, originally launched in September 2017, is aiming to break the cycle of violence in Richmond.

The city of Richmond, along with the attorney general office has relaunched the award-winning “Respect Richmond” anti-violence campaign following an initial six month run that saw a significant reduction in violent crime and gun violence in priority neighborhoods, millions of interactions with the campaign’s messaging, and multiple awards for its innovative approach to violence prevention.

The campaign uses high-impact messaging and sophisticated marketing techniques to reach its audiences. It will now run for an additional four months.

“Respect Richmond” will have refined messaging and strategy and will run during the summer months, when the rate for violent crime rates rise.

Data shows that during the initial six months of the “Respect Richmond” campaign, violent crimes were down across the city compared

to the year before, particularly in priority neighborhoods that have been a focus of the campaign: • Creighton Court saw the number of victims shot fall by 71 percent and there were no homicides in the neighborhood during the second half of the campaign, following three months of messaging.

• Mosby Court saw a 75 percent

decrease in homicides and a 43 percent decrease in victims shot.

• Gilpin Court saw a 47 percent decrease in aggravated assaults.

• Overall homicides city wide during the campaign were 21 percent lower than the same period one year earlier and violent crimes were down 12 percent.

“A single act of gun violence can

reverberate through neighborhoods, or even start a cycle of violence that can affect entire communities.

That’s why it’s so important that we work to prevent acts of violence and break the cycle of violence before it even begins,” said Attorney General Mark Herring. “‘Respect Richmond’ showed some really encouraging results during our first phase, so we’re re-launching in time for the summer when research shows that violent crime tends to rise. Using innovative techniques and highimpact messaging, we’re going to try to reach people with a simple and direct message before they reach for a weapon.”

Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham said it’s a good time to remind people of the “Respect Richmond” campaign and its focus on violent crime, because the summer months are usually when we see an uptick in crimes against persons.

“We can all benefit from this innovative effort that uses social

(continued on page 3)

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

June 20, 2018 • 3

Historical marker honoring and the Lovings A historical marker was recently dedicated in Caroline County in honor of county natives Richard and Mildred Loving whose lawsuit, Loving v. Virginia, challenged Virginia’s 1924 Racial Integrity Act and resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1967 that overturned all state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

The marker was unveiled on the date of the Lovings’ wedding anniversary, June 2, at its location along U.S. Route 301 near the junction with Sparta Road, south of Bowling Green in Caroline County.

This historical marker memorializes the powerful story of the Lovings and their courage to fight a state law prohibiting marriage between people of different races.

Their story of perseverance and sacrifice changed American society and this marker is designed to commemorate an important part of Virginia’s history and ensure that their story continues to be told.

After falling in love, Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter, who were of different racial backgrounds, married in June 1958 in Washington, D.C. When they returned to reside in the Caroline County community of

(from page 2) media to not only ask for tips about crimes that have occurred but also to remind everyone that crime affects all of us in some way. I encourage everyone to get involved in making Richmond a safer place.”

The innovative “Respect Richmond” campaign uses a dedicated website and an innovative messaging push on social media, websites, and gaming networks.

Digital ads usually share a community engagement message until they are changed in real time to an anti-retaliation message in areas where violence has recently occurred. Ads are also strategically placed on websites, social media accounts, YouTube channels, billboards, movie theaters, and stores most likely to be seen by Richmonders at risk of being affected by gun violence.

During its initial six month run, the campaign garnered more than eight million impressions, including nearly five million digital impressions.

Tens of thousands of Richmonders were referred to the Crime Solvers website through Respect Richmond, increasing the number of tips and the amount of information received by Richmond Police.

Central Point, “they were arrested for violating [Virginia’s] laws against interracial marriage, which made it a felony for interracial couples to leave Virginia, marry, and resume residence in the state,” according the marker.

In 1959, the Lovings were convicted at the Caroline County courthouse.

In 1963, with the assistance of the American Civil Liberties Union, the couple challenged their convictions under the law and their case reached the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which upheld Virginia laws The second phase of the “Respect Richmond” campaign includes: • RespectRichmond.com website A one-stop-shop hosting all of the campaign's materials, including videos, news updates, statistics, information on reporting crimes, and; • Digital Ads and Social Media Messaging - These ads will appear on gaming networks, social media and YouTube channels, and websites most likely to be seen or used by the Richmonders who need to hear these messages. The ads can be tailored and focused on specific audiences in priority neighborhoods in response to an outbreak of violence. The campaign will utilize multiple messages that focus on: • Individuals who are at risk for committing or being a victim of gun violence • Individuals at risk of retaliating with more violence • The broader Richmond community • Radio ads featuring prominent voices in the Richmond community; • Strategically located billboards; • Displays at convenience stores and other high-traffic establishments; and, • Television ads.

The second phase of the campaign will run through September.

in a 1966 decision.

Through subsequent appeal, Loving v. Virginia reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the couple on June 12, 1967, in a decision that struck down Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act and all state laws prohibiting marriage between people of different races. The decision had an immediate and profound impact throughout Virginia and in a number of states across the country and is considered a milestone in advancing civil rights nationally.

The Caroline County marker is the second state marker highlighting the Lovings’ case. Last year, a marker celebrating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court

decision, Loving v. Virginia, was dedicated in Richmond on Capitol Square in front of the building that housed the Virginia Supreme Court where the case was heard.

The Caroline marker provides more detail about the couple’s connections to the county and to Central Point, about 11 miles east of the marker’s location along U.S. Route 301, where both Richard and Mildred grew up.

It also notes that that they returned to the community after marrying in Washington, D.C. The sign’s manufacturing cost has been covered

by Caroline County.

The text of the marker reads as follows: Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter, of different racial backgrounds, grew up near Central Point, 11 miles east of here. They fell in love and in June 1958 were married in Washington, D.C. After returning to Central Point, they were arrested for violating the state’s laws against interracial marriage, which made it a felony for interracial couples to leave Virginia, marry, and resume residence in the state. The Lovings were convicted in 1959 at the Caroline County courthouse. The case reached the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which in 1966 upheld the state’s laws. In 1967 the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Loving v. Virginia overturned all laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

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The LEGACY

4 • June 20, 2018

NN Public Library kicks off Summer Reading Newport News Public Library is hosting its yearly Summer Reading Program through July 31. The free program encourages youth to keep reading during the summer and offer events and the chance for prizes for all ages.

The Summer Kick-off was at Main Street Library June 16, where participants took part in games, STEM activities, a photo booth, face painters, and had fun with a magician. Participants also had the opportunity to register early for the Summer Reading Program and enter for door prizes.

This year, there are more prizes where participants can fill out activity cards which, when completed, will be entered for

weekly drawings. Those who complete the Summer Reading Program and turn in their final card will be entered into the grand prize drawing.

As part of Summer Reading, the library system will be hosting special programs and performers at all four library branches.

Adults are welcome to join the

Adult Summer Reading Program.

To participate, check out and read library books then, fill out an entry form for every library book read during the contest. The last chance to enter is July 31. Participants can win one of six weekly prizes and/or the grand prize – a night out worth over $200.

Defending ACA It appears that defenses for the Affordable Care Act are being abandoned. Leading officials in Virginia, particularly the attorney general, is stepping in to protect accessible, affordable health care.

Attorney General Mark R. Herring, along with 16 of his collegues will be defending the Affordable Care Act and the American healthcare system now that President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have announced they will abandon defense of the ACA in the pending lawsuit Texas v. United States.

The Texas-led lawsuit, which now has the support of the U.S. Department of Justice, would end the ACA, threatening health care coverage for 20 million Americans, stripping protections from those with preexisting conditions, and ending billions of dollars in funding for critical healthcare programs and services nationwide. Herring joined this lawsuit to “protect Virginians who benefit” from the ACA, including those with preexisting conditions and those who would suffer reduced access and increased premiums should this lawsuit succeed.

“It cannot be overstated how reckless, cruel, and dangerous this politically motivated lawsuit is,” said Herring. “In seeking to strike down the entire ACA, these plaintiffs are playing games with the lives and financial well-being of millions of Americans and Virginians. They now have powerful allies in Trump and Sessions.

“I will do everything I can to protect the progress we have made under the Affordable Care Act, including the life-changing Medicaid expansion that Gov. Ralph Northam has signed into law. I will continue to fight to make sure that politics do not stand in the way of Virginians receiving high-quality, affordable health care,” said Herring.

As part of their defense of the ACA, Herring and his colleagues recently filed a brief in opposition to the Texas lawsuit, which seeks to end the ACA based on a farfetched legal theory that the recently passed Republican tax bill rendered the ACA unconstitutional.

Instead, Herring and his colleagues argue that the Court should reject the request to strike down the ACA because it remains lawful, constitutional, and of vital importance to the health and wellbeing of Americans.

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

June 20, 2018 • 5

(from page 1) carried out an even more controversial and deadly action against the remaining members of Move. A police helicopter dropped an incendiary bomb on to the roof of its then headquarters in west Philadelphia, killing six adults including the group’s leader, John Africa, and five of their children.

That incident continues to have the distinction of being the only aerial bombing by police carried out on U.S. soil.

At Sims Africa’s trial, no evidence was presented that she or the three other women charged alongside her had brandished or handled firearms during the siege. Nor was there any attempt on the part of the prosecution to prove that they had had any role in firing the shot that killed Ramp.

Sims Africa has had an unblemished disciplinary record in prison for the past 25 years. The last claim of misconduct against her dates to 1992.

Her attorneys presented the parole board with a 13-page dossier outlining her work as a mentor to other prisoners and as a dog handler who trains puppies that assist people with physical and cognitive disabilities. The dossier includes testimony from the correctional expert Martin Horn, who reviewed her record and concluded it was “remarkable”.

Horn said Sims Africa had “chosen to be a rule-abiding individual with the ability to be a productive, law-abiding citizen if she is released. I see a record of growing maturity, improved judgment and the assumption of personal responsibility. I do not believe that Debbie Sims is today a threat to the community.”

Sims Africa’s lawyer, Brad Thomson, commended the parole board for “recognizing that she is of exceptional character and well-deserving of parole. This is a storied victory for Debbie and her family, and the Move organization, and we are hoping it will be the first step in getting all the Move Nine out of prison.”

The release of Sims Africa comes less than two months before the 40th anniversary of the siege.

Commemorative events are being held in Philadelphia, organized by Move, on Aug. 5 and 11.

The release of Sims Africa is bittersweet, however. Two of the nine have died in prison – another female inmate, Merle Austin Africa, in March 1998, and Phil Africa in

Henrico district added to Va, U.S. historic registries

Debbie Sims Africa was 22 when she was sentenced.

January 2015.

Having to leave them was hard. I was torn up inside because I want to come home but I want them to come with me Also bittersweet is the fact that Sims Africa went up for parole at exactly the same time, and on exactly the same terms, as the other two remaining Move Nine women – Janine Phillips Africa and Janet Hollaway Africa. They were both denied parole and will have to wait until May 2019 to try again.

Thomson said the disparity in the parole board’s decision was “very surprising”, given that the Philadelphia district attorney’s office that carried out the original trial prosecution had written letters supporting parole for all three. The parole board gave what the lawyer said were “boilerplate justifications” for the denial of Phillips Africa and Hollaway Africa, saying they displayed “lack of remorse”.

Debbie Sims Africa’s husband also remains behind bars. Mike Davis Africa Sr is next up before the parole board, in September. The other Move Nine prisoners are Chuck Sims Africa, Delbert Orr Africa and Eddie Goodman Africa.

Sims Africa said the remaining prisoners were constantly in her mind and that she planned to devote much of her time campaigning for their release.

“Having to leave them was hard,” she said. “I was torn up inside because of course I want to come home but I want them to come with me. I was in shock when it didn’t happen that way.”

Asked if the two Move women with whom she had shared a cell in Cambridge Springs would be a threat to society if released, she said: “Absolutely not. They would not be a danger as I’m not.

“Nobody from the Move movement has been released from prison and ever committed a crime, going back to 1988. We are peaceful people.”

An approximately 60-block area of Highland Springs has been added to the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

Henrico County sought approval of the Highland Springs Historic District to recognize the community’s significance as a streetcar suburb of Richmond and its extensive architecture from 1890 through 1969. The district contains more than 1,000 historic resources, including homes and commercial buildings, that may be eligible for state and federal tax credits to offset the costs of rehabilitation projects.

“With its listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, the Highland Springs Historic District receives recognition that it richly deserves,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson, who also serves as vice chairman of the Henrico Board of Supervisors. “Highland Springs is truly a one-of-kind place in eastern Henrico, with a wide variety of historic homes, small-town charm and ample opportunities for growth and reinvestment.”

The Highland Springs Historic District encompasses the Nine Mile Road commercial corridor and surrounding residential area bisected by Holly Avenue.

Established in 1890, the area’s early residential development was gradual and followed the construction of an electric trolley

line from downtown Richmond.

The community’s growth continued through a building boom that followed World War II. Today, Highland Springs displays a variety of residential architectural styles and periods, including Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Italianate, Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Folk Victorian and Dutch Revival. The Art Deco-style Henrico Theatre, operated by the Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks, is the only building in Highland Springs previously listed in the state and national registries.

With the addition of the Highland Springs Historic District, Henrico now has two historic districts and 30 individual property listings on both the state and national registries. The Highland Springs district represents one of the largest historic districts in Virginia added to the registries in the past decade, with more than 1,000 homes and other resources that contribute to its historic character. These include homes, commercial buildings and such features as Bonanza Springs, from which Highland Springs derives its name.

Recognition of the Highland Springs Historic District offers a variety of benefits, including, among others, state and federal tax credits totaling up to 45 percent of a project’s costs when property owners rehabilitate homes and other buildings recognized as contributing resources to the historic district.

6 • June 20, 2018

Op/Ed & Letters

The LEGACY

‘If the Supreme Court won’t protect voting rights, Democrats will’ TOM PEREZ In 1980, Paul Weyrich, a godfather of the modern conservative movement, let the cat out of the bag when he told a conference of conservative evangelical activists, “I don’t want everybody to vote. … Our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.”

It was that ever-so-common secret in politics — the one everyone knows but no one is supposed to talk about.

The fact is, preventing people from voting has arguably been a key part of the Republican playbook for decades — from voter roll purges to discriminatory voter ID laws. And that playbook just got a huge boost from the conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued an opinion allowing Ohio’s aggressive voting roll purges under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Ohio Republicans have spent the past few years kicking more than a million people off of their voter rolls for not voting in recent elections and not responding to a notice by the state. Their goal was simple: to tilt elections in Republicans’ favor by blocking communities of color from the ballot box, as Justice Sotomayor argued.

Such tactics are clearly discriminatory and have no place in our democracy. What’s more, the court’s decision to allow these tactics overturned longstanding Justice

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Department policy that had been followed by both Republican and Democratic administrations.

As someone who joined one of the amicus briefs in this case, I can’t overstate the disastrous consequences of the court’s decision.

This is a devastating attack on our democracy that will only embolden Republican voter suppression efforts across the country.

When I served as head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division under President Obama, we carried on a bipartisan legacy of respecting and enforcing the NVRA, which specifically barred practices that result in states purging individuals for failing to vote. But last year, Jeff Sessions and the Trump Justice Department

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bucked decades of precedent and bipartisan support by reversing the department’s position on this critical issue. Time after time, this administration has thrown the rights of voters out the window in service to craven and partisan ambitions.

Of course, Republicans have continued to claim their efforts are about preventing “voter fraud.” But the American people aren’t fooled.

They see these attacks for what they are: a blatant power grab by a Republican party that wants to make it harder for people to vote.

Since Republicans know they can’t win on the issues, they’ve decided to game the system and apparently try to block voters they think won’t support them. This is politics at its most cynical and dangerous. The solution isn’t to effectively bar many African American and Latino voters from the polls — it’s to speak to the values that we all share and organize in these communities to build diverse coalitions of voters.

That’s exactly what the Democratic party is doing. Democrats believe we should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. We know our democracy is stronger when more people can participate. And we’ve made it our priority to ensure that each and every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote without intimidation or restrictions.

Over the past year, the DNC has taken on President Trump’s sham “voter fraud” commission, which

has since been disbanded. We’ve expanded our Civic Engagement and Voter Protection Department under the leadership of Karen Carter Peterson and provided voters with more information and legal resources at the ballot box. We’ve set up a hotline where voters can report instances of voter suppression and get more information about voting in their state. We’re helping campaigns challenge voter suppression cases in court, and we’re working day-in and day-out to bolster voter protection and registration efforts across the country. And earlier this year, we launched the IWillVote program, where we’re working with state parties and Democratic allies to reach 50 million voters by November about committing to vote.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision is a setback, but this battle is far from over. It’s never been more important for us to organize and fight back. Make no mistake: Voting is the most important civil rights issue of our era — because the right to vote preserves all other rights. Democrats will do everything we can to protect that right for all Americans, even if Republicans and the conservative Supreme Court justices won’t.

Perez is the chair of the Democratic National Committee. During the Obama administration, Perez served as head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and then as secretary of Labor.

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

June 20, 2018 • 7

P.T. Hoffsteader, Esq.

Saving mommas

Black mothers are dying and it’s time to do something about it.

Every year, more than 700 American mothers lose their lives to pregnancy or birth-related complications. Some medical professionals estimate that at least half, if not more, of these deaths are entirely preventable.

While the deaths of 700-plus American mothers should shock us all, the statistics are much worse for African American mothers. We are three-to-four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than our white counterparts. A 20102011 survey of maternal deaths in Philadelphia found that threequarters of those deaths were Black mothers.

These shocking statistics cut across class, education level, and socio-economic status. Earlier this year, Serena Williams shared her own story of nearly losing her life.

She, like too many other women, was ignored when she raised concerns about her own health and body. If this tragedy can befall a wealthy, world-class athlete who’s deeply in tuned with her own body, it could, and does, happen to anyone.

Sadly, the situation is getting worse, not better. American mothers are dying at higher rates every year.

Globally, we’ve had real success in pushing down the rates of mothers needlessly dying, especially in Africa and the Caribbean. Yet at the same time, the U.S. is one of a handful of nations where the number of

mothers dying is increasing.

We can and must do better. All mamas deserve the chance to be mamas.

That’s why I’ve introduced the “Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act” or the MOMMA Act, for short.

This comprehensive legislation takes a multi-pronged approach to ending maternal mortality through increased access to care, expanded culturally-competent training and standardized data collection.

Currently, one of our greatest challenges in addressing the rising rate of maternal mortality is a lack of good data. We need to standardize data to find trends and protocols that work to save lives.

The MOMMA Act also establishes and enforces national emergency obstetric protocols and ensures the sharing of best practices between practitioners and hospital systems because, if it’s working, we want every doctor to know about it.

Additionally, the MOMMA Act would expand access to care by ensuring that mothers retain their Medicaid coverage for one year after giving birth, the entire postpartum period. Right now, mothers lose their coverage just two months after giving birth.

However, many women face significant health challenges, often weeks and months, after giving birth.

One mom who spoke at my press conference unveiling the bill suffered a childbirth-related stroke 20 days after giving birth. Furthermore, we know that postpartum depression and other health challenges face new mothers; expanding access to care will ensure that moms remain healthy as they raise their families.

Finally, the MOMMA Act would improve access to culturallycompetent care throughout the care continuum. For decades, we’ve known that culturally-incompetent care has had massive and negative impacts on our community and our health.

In 2018, it’s time to train health professionals to give appropriate care to all patients, regardless of their race.

I could not be prouder to have introduced the MOMMA Act or to have worked with the amazing women and men who helped us craft this important legislation to save mothers’ lives.

It’s the product of months of work with families, mothers, doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas and policy advocates. I’m deeply humbled to have the support of Black Women’s Health Imperative, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the National Urban League, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and many others.

As a mother, I was lucky enough to experience two happy, healthy pregnancies. I want the same thing for every mother and family: a healthy, happy pregnancy and child.

Rep. Robin Kelly

Pursue common sense This time of year brings great pride and congratulations for graduates at all levels, from high school to doctorates. But the most important degree I can recommend is a PhD in common sense, with a concentration in thriving and surviving in 21st Century America.

Common sense is genius wrapped in work clothes. And to achieve it, we must learn four lessons.

First lesson: Don’t ever forget from whence you came. Along the long journey of life, one need only recognize that as graduates of 2018, you’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before. As you celebrate your success after many years of hard work, financial sacrifice, long nights —in many cases working and going to school at the same time—there are many out there from your hometowns and neighborhoods, maybe in your own family, who will not have the opportunities you have today. This

nation has too many children who are born into and grow up in poverty.

This nation has a problem of mass incarceration. This nation still has too much gun violence. To whom much is given, much is expected, demanded and required. Go back to your high school, to your community, to the young people, and let them see your success. Let them hear your story. Let them understand what you had to do to get to today.

Lesson two: Pursue excellence in every instance. It is still an unfortunate fact that to be Black, you’ve got to be better. Your grandmother and mother will tell you that time and again. But you can be the best. Say no to mediocrity.

Say no to half-stepping. Say no to foot-dragging. Be excellent.

And remember, excellence is not perfection. No one is perfect. What excellence means is the pursuit of perfection and the faith that in all of our endeavors, you have given everything that God has given you to accomplish to achieve and to pursue your goals and your dreams.

Lesson three: In this nation today, racism is real. But you are not going to let racism break your spirit.

Whether it’s Starbucks or Waffle House. Whether it’s Trayvon Martin or Michael Brown or Eric Garner.

Whether it’s a student taking a nap from studying too hard in a student lounge at Yale university. Implicit and explicit bias is still a part of American life. It’s in the criminal justice system, where people of color who serve longer sentence than White men who commit same crimes.

It’s in the scourge of hate crimes that have spiked over the last two years.

It’s in the leaders talking about building walls when we should be talking about building bridges.

Racism is real. But you’re not going to let it break your spirit Marc Morial

8 • June 20, 2018

Faith & Religion

The LEGACY

Ex-employee sues nursing home over hijab restriction A Muslim woman is suing a nursing home where she once worked, alleging a supervisor ordered her to remove her hijab, forcing her to choose between her job and her religion.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations filed the federal civil rights complaint in Eastern District Court of Virginia last month on behalf of Keseanda Brooks. She had been working as a certified nursing aide at Hanover Health & Rehabilitation Center for about 10 months before the confrontation happened.

Brooks alleges managers at Hanover Health told her they were concerned about her safety while

Keseanda Brooks wearing the hijab, a traditional religious head covering used by Muslim women. In court papers, Brooks said she was warned the garment could be grabbed by

residents and told to work without it or face firing.

“This wasn’t a fashion statement,” Ahmed Mohamed, a lawyer with the Council on American-Islamic Relations told the newspaper. “No employer should force any female to remove any article of clothing, especially religious clothing.”

Medical Facilities of America, which owns Hanover and some 40 other locations in Virginia and North Carolina, disputed Brooks’ allegations.

“Hanover Health & Rehabilitation Center is committed to respecting the religious and cultural differences among our employees and residents,”

the company said in a statement.

“When Ms. Brooks’ concerns were brought to our attention, we quickly contacted her and advised that she was welcome to wear her hijab in the workplace. It was our understanding that she would continue to work at our facility.”

According to published reports, Brooks initially took her concerns to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which dismissed her claim and told her about her right to sue.

Brooks, now wearing her hijab while working as a CNA at another facility, is seeking back pay, punitive damages and legal fees.

Juneteenth origin debunked?

Much of the country commemorates Juneteenth this week and Donald Norman-Cox, a 64-year-old Denton, Texas resident has a message regarding Juneteenth: “Tell it right or stop talking.”

Norman-Cox said that he has been sporadically informing college and community groups that parts of the Juneteenth explanation are flagrantly wrong since the early 2000s.

But this year, his message has muscle. Since the publication of “Juneteenth 101”, his 104-page book published by Arising Together Publishing; available at Amazon.

“Every explanation I’ve heard since childhood made little sense,” he said recently. But like many others, he never bothered to search for facts. “I wondered how news of the proclamation could travel to Europe faster than it floated across the states. How did news reach what is now New Mexico without going through Texas? When did other states free their slaves?”

Those quandaries and more are addressed in his new book. In the book, Norman-Cox debunks several widely held so-called myths about Juneteeth, including its primary tenet, that news of the Proclamation didn’t reach Texas for two and a half years.

“You hear that everywhere, but it’s wrong,” he said. “Delayed emancipation was not caused by notknowing. The culprit was lack of enforcement.”

Norman-Cox admits to holding a near life-long hope that others had researched their explanations. “I challenged nothing,” he laughs, “until one question refused to be ignored.” That question was why do Texans commemorate both Watchnight and Juneteenth?

Watchnight was the night slaves held vigils to watch for freedom, courtesy of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth occurred supposedly because no one knew the Proclamation existed.

“Those opposing explanations coexist peacefully only in minds of the oblivious,” he said.

While digging for clarification, Norman-Cox said he discovered that some Texans knew about the Emancipation Proclamation before it was issued.

“On Sept. 15, 1862, a newspaper in tiny Clarksville, Texas reported Lincoln was about to issue ‘a proclamation of general universal emancipation’. Nine days later, Lincoln issued his preliminary proclamation. What little guys knew, the big ones did, too.”

Norman-Cox calls his findings,

Donald Norman-Cox teaches senior citizens in Denton, Texas, how to locate newspaper references to the Emancipation proclamation.

“Earth shaking, but nothing new.”

He said, “Professional historians – which I’m not – have known these facts probably since emancipation became a topic worthy of scholarly examination. His book translates existing academic discourse into street speak, he said, … to help Big Mama and Ray-Ray ‘nem not be wrong.”

In “Juneteenth 101”, NormanCox claims incorrect explanations oversimplify the complex and chaotic way slavery ended, he said.

Believing slavery continued because they didn’t know, misidentifies ‘they’.

“They” refers to slave owners,” contends Norman-Cox. “What slaves

knew was irrelevant. Their walking off the job is called running away, not emancipation.”

Norman-Cox concludes that Juneteenth falsehoods are pervasive.

Even Congress incorrectly refers to Juneteenth as “the day slavery ended in the United States”. His book identifies 31 congressional resolutions that include or were defended by that statement.

“As if six months later, the Thirteenth Amendment did nothing,” said Norman-Cox. To replace that inaccuracy the book offers this explanation, “Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery; not the day slavery ended.”

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

June 20, 2018 • 9

Church calls for U.S. to end immigration policy LYNNETTE WILSON ENN - In mid-May, a Honduran man who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border into southeast Texas with his wife and 3-year-old son committed suicide at a county jail, where after requesting asylum, border agents told him he’d be separated from his family.

Family separations aren’t just happening at the border, roundups are happening nationwide. In early June, in Seattle, Washington, 206 undocumented immigrants apprehended at the border and held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody – 174 of the women, at least half of them mothers – were transferred to a detention facility near the airport. Somewhere along their journey, the mothers were separated from their children.

Some weren’t given the chance to say goodbye and could hear their children screaming in a nearby room; some don’t know their children’s whereabouts. Most, though not all, of the women fled ongoing gang and domestic violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, three of the most violent countries in the world.

Unaccompanied minors and

families from Central America began arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in record numbers in 2014.

The numbers later dropped off, but there’s a new surge happening now at the Southwest border where Customs and Border Control agents have detained more than 252,000 people – 32,371 unaccompanied minors and 59,113 families – over the last eight months. There are some 11,000 unaccompanied minors in federal custody.

On June 11, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions further clarified the Trump administration’s immigration

policy saying gang violence and domestic abuse are not grounds for asylum, overturning a precedent set in 2016 by the Department of Justice’s Federal Board of Immigration Appeals.

In early April, Sessions announced that anyone caught crossing the border illegally or attempting to cross the border illegally would be criminally prosecuted. Then, on May 7, during a speech in San Diego, Sessions clarified the zero-tolerance policy, stating it includes separating children and parents.

“Immigrants should ask to apply

lawfully before they enter our country,” said Sessions. “Citizens of other countries don’t get to violate our laws or rewrite them for us.

People around the world have no right to demand entry in violation of our sovereignty.”

To carry out the new enforcement policies, Sessions sent 35 prosecutors to the Southwest and moved 18 immigration judges to the border.

On June 6, a federal judge in San Diego refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging the Trump administration’s immigration policy by saying family separation may violate the Constitution’s due process clause. The judge did, however, dismiss a separate challenge saying that the practice violates asylum laws.

Entering or attempting to enter the United States illegally, however, and requesting asylum are not one in the same.

Under international law, people fleeing violence and persecution have the right to request asylum. The Episcopal Church has a longstanding policy affirming the universal right to seek asylum; it recognizes the need to protect vulnerable people.

(continued on page 14)

10 • June 20, 2018

The LEGACY

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is sci-fi magic DWIGHT BROWN Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

Tyrannosaurus, velociraptors and brachiosaurus—run for your lives.

The cloned dinosaurs from the theme park Jurassic World are in trouble on the volcanic isle of Isla Nublar, which is erupting, spewing hot lava and emitting a deadly ash cloud. If they aren’t rescued, they will die.

That’s the premise in this sequel to “Jurassic World” ($1.7B at the box office). The question is this: Will this follow-up to the wildly successful “Jurassic World” be enough to hook action/adventure/sci-fi fans and reel them into the theaters?

Colin Trevorrow, the director of Jurassic World, passes on direction duties to Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona (“Orphanage,” “The Impossible”), and the difference in style is negligible. Trevorrow writes the script with Derek Connolly (“Jurassic World,”

“Kong: Skull Island”). Editor Bernat Vilaplana worked with Bayona on “The Impossible,” as did cinematographer Oscar Faura.

Composer Michael Giacchino won an Oscar for his original score for the animated feature “Up”. Add in creature sculptor Wayne Anderson (“Underworld: Blood Wars”) and it’s no wonder that the footage rips along at a breakneck pace, with wondrous views of a paradise island being ravaged by 700-degree orange liquid rock and ancient beast clones running rampant. Everything is neatly coordinated—right down to the last scream for help.

Three years have passed. Isla Nublar, an isle 120 miles west of Costa Rica that housed the now abandoned reptile theme park, is desolate except for lush green vegetation and gigantic beasts. The Dinosaur Protection Group, run by former theme park manager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard,

‘African American portraits’ Planning a trip to New York this summer?

If so, don’t forget to check out The Met 5th Avenue’s “African American Portraits: Photographs from the 1940s and 1950s”, on view June 26 through Oct. 8.

The exhibition will present more than 150 studio portraits from the mid20th century. It offers a seldom seen view of the black experience in the United States during World War II and the following decade—a time of war, middle-class growth, and seismic cultural change.

“Jurassic World,” “The Help”), is out to save the gigantic animals. They aren’t as aggressive as PETA, but they’re dedicated.

Claire is approached by the duplicitous Eli Mills (“Rafe Spall,”” Life of Pi,” “The Big Short”), who has a plan to relocate the behemoths to a sanctuary, but not out of the kindness of his heart. Dearing is pulled into the mission. She enlists her ex-boyfriend Owen (Chris Platt), who trained some of the less hostile and very intelligent velociraptors.

A techy/hacker, Franklin Webb (“Justice Smith,” “The Get Down”), and an equally young paleo/ veterinarian, Zia Rodriguez (Danielle Pineda, TV’s “The Detour”), become part of the A-team. Of course, nothing goes as planned.

The simple premise hovers around animal rescue. Working within that blueprint, the film moves quickly to add in a chain of action scenes, daring escapes, fist fights, dinosaur wrestling matches and some graphic violence (a man gets torn apart, so be wary of bringing really young kids to this movie) as it builds into several crescendos. Just as you think there can’t possibly be more mayhem or another challenge, there is; not ad nauseum, but it’s enough to make you shell-shocked.

The bad guys want to use the behemoths for an evil purpose that involves weapons of destruction. All of the subterfuge, angst and cause célèbre animal rights activism is a ploy to whip the audience’s emotions into a frenzy. On some levels it works. But most astute viewers will understand that there is no moral theme of any consequence in this

reptiles gone wild orgy.

The relationship between Claire and Owen is fun, until they do stupid things like kissing in the middle of an action scene. The two leads have charisma and you like them regardless. Spall as Mills gives you a fitting antagonist to hate, and you hope he gets his just rewards.

Ditto for Toby Jones who plays Mr. Eversol, a trafficker, and Ted Levine, as Ken Wheatley, the vile man who heads the rescue and misleads Claire. Smith provides some comic relief as Webb the nerd who hates to get his feet dirty. And, Pineada shows spunk as the brainy and fearless Rodriguez.

It’s obvious the dinosaurs aren’t real, but thanks to the special effects and photography, with a gigantic assist from the sound effects department (Marti Albert sound effects editor), your nerves will get frayed. You’ll jump out of your seat or sit with dread as you watch gnashing teeth bear down on human flesh. Also, a shout out to the vivid images of the volcano and the gorgeous shots of the island which perfectly set up the atmosphere for a verdant paradise gone wrong.

The 128 minutes roll by and you’ll feel like you just got back from a tour of duty in the war-torn jungles of some tropical island nation. Your adrenalin will be high. Your thoughts will race. You will not feel like you just watched the most innovative action/adventure/sci-fi film in the world (“Avatar”), but you’ll have to admit that “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” worked its magic in its own way, even if its aura doesn’t have a long-lasting effect.

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

June 20, 2018 • 11

Upcoming documentary to expose the U.S. government

In an experimental documentary, indie filmmaker Brandi Webb has indicted the U.S. government on charges that hold it accountable for crimes committed against citizens of color. These crimes date back to the beginning of American history up to present day. Errol Louis, Amy Goodman, Akeem Browder, Ajamu Baraka, Gwen Carr, Korey Wise, Dr. Lenora Fulani, Mysonne Linen and several other activists provide real life interviews that serve as supporting evidence throughout the trial.

Webb has launched a crowdfunding campaign along with a highly-charged, emotional trailer, to help raise her goal of $15,000 to complete her film project entitled, “Betrayal of a Nation”.

The documentary project, is centered around a scripted, heightened trial, in which an ambitious prosecutor for the People goes head to head with a defense attorney for the U.S. government.

The attorneys dispute the government’s involvement in slavery, the destruction of Black Wall Street, the execution of African-American leaders, a failed education and criminal justice system, and poverty. “Betrayal of a Nation” is a hybrid film that blends together the traditional elements of documentary and

narrative films. Webb has labeled the project a Narrative Documentary.

Currently, 80 percent of the film is completed and is expected to be completed by fall of this year. “’Betrayal of a Nation’ is a powerful indictment on America!” stated Charles Barron, New York State Assembly Member of the 60th District, whom also makes an appearance in the documentary. “Reparations is the defining issue of the 21st century. ‘Betrayal of a Nation’ must be produced and completed.”

Jenesis Scott, co-writer of the film, commented, “’Betrayal of a Nation’ is unlike any other film.

It not only documents history but also provides solutions for the future. Completing this film is absolutely necessary in the fight against injustice. It not only gets to the root of the problems, but it gives us a guide on how to do something about it.”

Following the 2016 murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling by police officers, Ms. Webb became overwhelmed with emotion and was frustrated with the countless acquittals and non- indictments of these police officers, throughout the nation. She created “Betrayal of a Nation” in an effort to educate and explore what actual justice in America might look like in the form of storytelling.

Ask Alma

My husband doesn’t believe in God anymore.

What should I do?

Dear Alma, My husband said he no longer believes in God. He did when I met him and when we got married. We have always attended my family church and have been very active in different organizations. I just don’t understand or think we can remain married. How can I be with someone who doesn’t believe in God. I am so mad! That has always been the first “must have” on my list.

My husband even stopped going to church. I am so hurt, I just don’t know what to do.

Do you think I can convince him to go back to what we had and rededicate his life? How can a marriage stay together if only one person believes in God? Please help us!

Signed, Praying for My Atheist Husband

Dear Praying, This is an issue of enormous ramifications.

Yes, it could easily end your marriage if not handled with divine intervention.

You say you’re a Christian and so was your husband when you met and married, but now he wants to change his stance and he no longer believes in God. Will he consider faith-based counseling?

I think you need to be truthful about his change of belief and try to remember what life experience u-turned him towards a different direction.

Who, when, where and how was someone else able to grab hold of him when you weren’t watching.

I’m not blaming you, oh no, that’s not my intent. I’m merely trying to show you that one doesn’t pick a Savior in one day. We’re too savvy for that nowadays. Folks will research everything on the Internet.

Unfortunately, the information no longer needs to be prophetic or true, as long as it’s printed. I’m just wondering out loud, where you were when he was searching, unraveling, disconnecting from your faith.

Wrangle your anger and resentment cause you’ve got to retain control of this with a calm hand and a cool head. The humbleness of your faith is being tested. Like my mama use to say, “the best of sermons are seen, not heard.” My advice to you is, live the Bible you read, carefully chose the words that you speak and most definitely display what you pray.

Hold off on contacting a divorce lawyer just yet. Pick up a copy of “In Faith and In Doubt: How Religious Believers and Nonbelievers Can Create Strong Marriages” by Dale McGowan and start reading what has happened with other couples.

What’s great about America is the freedom to pick and follow the religion that suits your heart the best.

Only heaven knows if your marriage will survive this, but what I can assure you that both of you deserve the proper respect from one another while you work on it.

National Megan’s Law Helpline & Sex Offender Registration Tips Program

Call Call (888) (888) ASK-PFML ASK-PFML (275-7365) (275-7365)

12 • June 20, 2018

The LEGACY

Southerners on new ground tackle “mother” of prisons and criminal justice JO ROZYCKI RVA MAG - For many families across the United States, the reality of being separated from a loved one, especially a parent, on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day is all too real.

Unfortunately, the beast that is the modern United States prison system keeps families apart. It’s a greater, darker, and more complicated system than the surface presents.

Southerners on New Ground, or SONG, a Southern-based queer liberation group, has taken upon itself to battle the beast of the modern prison system through its most exploitative and manipulative control tactic: money bail. More specifically, SONG has created the Black Mamas Bail Out Action, a campaign to reunite black mothers and caregivers with their families on Mother’s Day. “We say ‘motherhood’ very broadly,” said Justice Valentine, a member leader of SONG Richmond. Their qualifications for whom they can bail out stem from identity-based traditions. “Specifically in the black community, motherhood means very different things. In the queer community as well. It includes mothers from chosen families, from biological families. That includes cis women, trans women, any caregiver, anyone who identifies as a mother.”

For some individuals, a mother, a caregiver, may be absent, or reject them entirely, removing themselves from their child’s life. “Chosen” families are prevalent in many different subcultures, exemplifying the need and desire for humans to have connections. If a prison sentence separates that connection, lives can be troubled, even ruined.

Money bail is just one example of the forces that tear apart this connection.

In the last two years, SONG Richmond has successfully bailed out four people. Nationwide, SONG has freed 100 people in 2018 alone. The successes just keep growing.

The way money bail has affected the lives of Americans has deep roots within the nation’s past.

“The history of it actually comes from the enslavement of Africans,” said Calvin Hall, another member leader of SONG Richmond. “Back during slavery, black folks would

come together and pool the tiny bit of resources that they did have to bail out people.” The same system they had to deal with then has been translated today into the money bail system.

In today’s terms, a judge will set a bail on a suspect awaiting trial.

The bail is an amount of money the suspect awaiting trial pays to the court in exchange for release from pre-trial imprisonment. If the suspect returns to court on the appointed date, their bail is exchanged back; failure to attend court can bring additional charges and forfeiture of their bond. In this way, bail is a guarantee suspects can be free until their trial — if they can pay.

Much of the system is up to the individual judge’s discretion — judges decide what bail should be, or even if bail should be given at all.

According to the 8th amendment of the United States Constitution, it is illegal to set excessive bail, but if a judge sees fit, bail can be denied entirely. The question is how a judge decides where to set an individual’s bail.

The risk of whether you will return to court or not, which is called flight risk, weighs heavily on a judge’s decision. According to Valentine, local courts use an algorithm for this question. “In Richmond, we use the algorithm that determines whether you’re a flight risk or not,” said Valentine. ”And then we have the bail schedule that determines ‘Here’s the crime you did, here’s the bail that has to be paid.’ Depending on these factors, this is the amount that you have.”

This process, however, does not simply come down to the paying bail. If the judge even gives you a bail, there’s still the question of the amount required. Many people in our nation do not have thousands of dollars waiting to be given at a moment’s notice — which can leave them in the position to hire bail bondsmen, who will put up the full bail amount in exchange for a percentage of the bond, but charge high interest rates on the payments.

Additionally, the judge decides whether or not a person is credible or trustworthy enough to be given the chance to pay bail. This can result in a certain amount of bias and bigotry,

the same sort often reinforced the criminal justice system. The Richmond SONG chapter has dealt with bail as low as $5,000 and as high as $22,000; some bails run in the six-figure range.

Who receives these high money bails? “In general, it disproportionately affects people of color and trans/gender nonconforming people, queer people in general,” said Hall. Hall and Valentine point out that the history of money bail has affected people of color the same way it affects trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) folks. “This is also in line with a long history of laws that have disproportionately affected black folks, and also queer people, trans people, GNC people. There’s a very long history of this.”

According to a piece by The Advocate, “1,882 per 100,000 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are incarcerated, compared with 612 per 100,000 U.S. residents aged

18 and older.” The statistics don’t stop there, unfortunately. People of color are more likely to be harassed, experience assault, or be killed by a police officer. Although percentagewise white people make up a greater portion of the U.S. population, black people make up 40% of the U.S. incarcerated population. The Transgender Law Center reported “disproportionately high rates of arrest and incarceration among black transgender people when compared to all other racial and ethnic groups” in its National Transgender Discrimination Survey.

The numbers go on and on and on.

Both Hall and Valentine stress the disparities faced by people of color and queer people. The situation is multi-structural: different systems work together to keep certain populations in their place, whether because of their race, sexuality, gender, or other identity-related factors. SONG has taken upon itself to address this problem, specifically

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

June 20, 2018 • 13

Study: People are getting dumber

environmental factors could range from nutrition, changes in the education system, less reading and more time spent online to changes in the media environment.

Researchers analyzed the IQ scores of brothers who were born in different years and found that rather than being similar, as expected because of genetics, the brothers’

IQ scores were often significantly different. The study also showed that parents with higher IQs tended to have more children. This disproved a long-believed theory known as the dysgenic fertility theory, which states that unintelligent people have more children, leading to the “dumbing down” of society.

These results highlight the role that environmental factors play in the decrease of IQ scores, researchers said.

Robin Morris, a professor of psychology at King’s College in London, who was not involved in the study, said that the IQ test, and other traditional methods of measuring intelligence may be outdated and in need of changes.

“In my view, we need to recognize that as time changes and people are exposed to different intellectual experiences, such as changes in the use of technology, for example social media, the way intelligence is expressed also changes,” Morris said.

“Educational methods need to adapt to such changes.”

The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety is housed within DCJS and serves as a resource and training center for information and research about national and statewide safety efforts and initiatives in K-12 schools and institutes of higher education.

“We saw a 75 percent increase in SRO/SSO applications this year from last year,” said Shannon Dion, director of DJCS. “It is clear that law enforcement agencies and school administrators want SROs in schools.

The Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety will continue to

support the SRO/SSO programs by providing trainings and resources like the Model SRO Memorandum of Understanding.”

This year, DCJS and the Center received 63 applications School Resource Officer/School Security Officer Incentive Grant Program. The CJSB approved a total of 40 grants, which will fund 40 positions: 14 at elementary schools, 14 at middle schools, and 12 at high schools, including technical schools. Of the approved grants, 22 were new grants and 18 were continuations of prior grants from previous years.

FROM WIRE REPORTS IQ scores are steadily falling for decades, but genes aren’t to blame – their environment is at fault.

New research published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences of the United States of America examined the IQ scores of men born between 1962 and 1991. Researchers found that scores increased for men born between 1962 and 1975. However, they decreased steadily among men born after 1975.

The earlier rise in IQ scores follows something known as the Flynn Effect, a name for the longterm increase in intelligence levels that took place in the 20th century, according to the study.

Ole Rogeberg, co-author of the study and senior research fellow at the Ragnar Frisch Center for Economic Research in Norway said studies conducted in Denmark, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Finland and Estonia have all demonstrated this similar downward trend.

“The causes in IQ increases over time and now the decline is due to environmental factors,” said Rogeburg. “It’s not that dumb people are having more kids than smart people, to put it crudely.

It’s something to do with the environment, because we’re seeing the same differences within families.”

He explained that these

Grants go to localities for school resource/ security officer positions Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam recently announced the award of grants totaling $1.265 million to localities throughout the commonwealth that will fund school resource officer (SRO) and school security officer (SSO) positions at elementary, middle, and high schools. The grants were awarded at the June 14 meeting of the Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB).

The grant funds came from the School Resource Officer/School Security Officer Incentive Grant Program, a program funded through state general funds. Grant applications were reviewed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and priority was given to schools without existing officers.

“Building and maintaining strong partnerships between local law enforcement agencies, local school divisions and local communities is critical to upholding Virginia’s

commitment to keep our students safe,” said Northam. “These positions will help schools and law enforcement work together to provide every child with the safe and healthy learning environment they need to succeed.”

“School resource officers exemplify successful community policing,” said Brian Moran, secretary of public safety and homeland security. “Officers serve as mentors to the students and foster positive relationships between the school and the law enforcement agency.

This collaboration not only helps protect our children, but also our communities as a whole.”

“One of the key components to ensuring comprehensive school safety is an effective school resource officer,” said Atif Qarni, secretary of education. “This funding will greatly help schools partner with officers to promote safety of our students and schools.”

14 • June 20, 2018

The LEGACY

(from page 9) Recently, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry signed an ecumenical and interfaith statement expressing concerns over a recent U.S. government policy “calling for more stringent enforcement of federal immigration laws.” A policy, they say, will likely result in an increase in family separations.

“I really appreciated that Bishop Curry signed the statement … decrying the separation of families in faith-based terms,” said longtime immigration advocate Sarah Lawton, who chairs the House of Deputies’ General Convention Social Justice and International Policy Committee and is a lay deputy from the Diocese of California. “I appreciate that he recognized that we, as Christians, as Episcopalians, respect the family as one of the fundamental building blocks of society and recognize that in our own sacraments.”

That the United States would deploy a punitive policy separating families at the border – taking children and not telling their parents

where they are going in some cases, not allowing them to say goodbye – to deter asylum seekers is unimaginable, she said, in a phone call.

“It’s so cruel, depraved really.

They don’t need to do that. … Under international law, they have the right to make an asylum claim,” said Lawton. “We should all be on the phone – out in the streets – calling our legislators. U.S. policy has been in crisis for a long time; it has intensified under Trump and has become more racist. The administration is going after the low-hanging fruit, families that are registered [in government tracking systems]. It’s a terror that’s descending on families. As a church, it’s our duty to protect the dignity of every human being.”

The stories of fathers and mothers being separated from their children at the border are deeply disturbing, said Lacy Broemel, the Episcopal Church’s immigration and refugee policy analyst working out of the Washington, D.C.-based Office of Government Relations, in an email.

“The Office of Government Relations is urging Episcopalians to contact their members of Congress to ask the administration to end this harmful policy of separating families at the border. Our office is sharing the presiding bishop’s statement with members of Congress and meeting with them to share the Episcopal Church’s deep concern about this practice and advocating through the appropriations process to oppose additional funding to detention centers,” she said.

“Further, we are continuing to focus on advocating for larger-scale changes to our immigration policies such as citizenship for Dreamers and other undocumented persons in the U.S., implementing humane and reasonable policies at our border, and addressing the violence and poverty these families are fleeing in their home countries,” said Broemel.

At its 79th General Convention in July in Austin, Texas, the Episcopal Church will consider legislation reinforcing its positions on refugees, immigration and migration,

including Resolution D009, which examines the Christian principles for responding to human migration.

The 2015 General Convention passed several resolutions strengthening its position on immigration and refugees.

Convention will look not only to respond to the current migration crisis, but also to adopt a long-term response strategy in the United States, as well as in places such as the Dominican Republic, where Haitian migrants often suffer abuse, and in areas where climate change threatens to displace entire communities.

“The Episcopal Church has a long-standing and welldocumented history of championing comprehensive immigration reform as well as humanitarian support for refugees,” said the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, bishop suffragan for the Diocese of North Carolina.

“The interest and energy for this work is only increasing as our local communities are continuing to be blessed with new neighbors from others countries. The stories of families torn apart and suffering under the current broken immigration system are the stories of families we know from work, school and church.

“Five resolutions on immigration reform have been submitted to the Committee on Social Justice and U.S. Policy so far. We expect more submissions addressing the Justice Department’s policy of separating children from their parents. This pointed departure from decades of previous Republican and Democratic-led administrations’ policies defy any commonly held definition of family values,” she said.

“A great gift of General Convention is our resolution process as a way to listen, speak and learn from a wide variety of voices and prayerfully discern a biblically, theologically informed position and call to action.”

Earlier this month, Rebecca Linder Blachly, the director of the Office of Government Relations, signed on to an interfaith statement decrying family separation and urging national leaders to protect family unity.

Churches and religious communities have a constitutional right to petition the government. The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause does not prohibit churches from meeting with, educating or advocating to elected officials with the aim of creating laws in line with the churches’ values. Throughout U.S. history, religious communities have engaged politically on issues of the era: from abolition to civil rights movements to immigration reform.

June 20, 2018 • 15

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

Study: Social rejection is painful, can lead to violence People who have greater levels of mindfulness — or the tendency to maintain attention on and awareness of the present moment — are better able to cope with the pain of being rejected by others, according to a new study led by a team of Virginia Commonwealth University researchers.

“Social rejection can have a number of negative outcomes both for the rejected person’s own health and well-being, as well as their interpersonal relationships,” said lead author Alexandra Martelli, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology in the College of Humanities and Sciences. “Therefore it is critical that researchers find adaptive ways at responding to social rejection, and mindfulness may be one effective emotion regulation strategy.”

The study, “When Less is More: Mindfulness Predicts Adaptive Affective Responding to Rejection via Reduced Prefrontal Recruitment,” will be published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.

Researchers from VCU, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Kentucky were curious to discover if mindfulness could be a buffer against the distress and pain of social rejection.

They ran an experiment in which 40 undergraduate students selfreported their levels of mindfulness, and then were placed in an fMRI scanner. The researchers observed live images of the participants’ brain activity as they played a virtual balltossing game with what they believed to be two other partners.

For the last third of the game, the participants stopped receiving any ball tosses from the other players, mimicking the conditions of social rejection.

After the scanning session, the participants were interviewed about how distressed they were during the game. Participants with higher levels of mindfulness reported less distress from being excluded.

The link between mindfulness and reduced social distress also was seen in the brain imaging, as researchers found there was less activation in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, which is known to assist in the “topdown” inhibitory regulation of both physical and social forms of pain.

The researchers also examined the communication between the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and

other brain areas during social rejection. They found that more mindful individuals showed less functional connectivity between the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and two brain regions that help generate the experience of social distress, the amygdala and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.

“Our findings suggest that mindful people are not as distressed or pained by social rejection,” the researchers wrote. “The neural results imply that a reason for mindful individuals’ adaptive responses to rejection is that they do not excessively recruit (and therefore tax) ‘topdown’, inhibitory brain regions to inhibit social distress. Instead, mindful individuals may use more ‘bottom-up’ emotion-regulation strategies that prevent rejection from being distressing in the first place. Interventions that seek to help socially-isolated and rejected individuals may benefit from this mechanistic and biologicallyinformed information.”

Martelli is a researcher in the Social Psychology and Neuroscience Lab at VCU. The lab, led by David Chester, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and a co-author on the study, seeks to understand why people try to harm one another after experiences such as rejection.

“Mindfulness has beneficial effects for many psychological and behavioral maladies,” Chester said.

“Yet in many ways, our understanding of how mindfulness achieves these helpful outcomes is not fully understood. Our findings help shed light on the underlying biological and psychological mechanisms through which mindfulness helps people cope with distressing social experiences, such as rejection and exclusion.”

Specifically, he said, the study suggests that mindful individuals are not as distressed by social rejection and that mindful individuals appear to successfully regulate such distressing emotions by not using effortful, inhibitory processes that suppress their feelings of social pain.

“This is important because the use of such ‘top-down,’ suppressive emotion regulation has been shown to backfire and is linked with poor emotion-related outcomes such

as impulsivity,” he said. “Mindful people are likely using a more ‘bottom-up’ regulatory approach, which makes sense given these individuals’ tendency to focus on the organic origins of their feelings. On a practical level, our findings point to the utility of mindfulness in coping with interpersonal stressors. People dealing with exclusion or rejection may likely benefit from training in mindfulness techniques.”

The study’s findings are relevant to the Social Psychology and Neuroscience Lab’s mission, Martelli said, because they further understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms of aggression and violence within interpersonal relationships.

“An over-reliance on top-down emotion-regulation strategies can result in self-regulatory failure,” Martelli said. “Therefore, more bottom-up strategies, such as mindfulness, may be effective at regulating difficult emotions such as anger or frustration that typically result in violent or aggressive acts.”

PSA As a person who is passionate about Alzheimer’s disease, and, as an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, I have started a campaign for an revenue sharing ALZHEIMER’S LICENSE PLATE through DMV. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, anyone with a brain should be concerned about Alzheimer’s and, the license plate is a great way to raise funding for awareness and support.

Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89 percent. Alzheimer’s is the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented or treated and has no cure. This must change.

Today, 130,000 Virginians are living with Alzheimer’s, and 400,000 are caregiving for someone who has it. We must effectively prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease soon and support those impacted by it until researchers achieve this goal.

We need your help! Together all Virginians can help us get the required 450 prepaid applications needed to be able to get DMV to produce the ALZHEIMER'S LICENSE PLATE. Amanda Chase, Senator, has agreed to present this license plate bill to General Assembly in January 2018 once 450 applications are collected.

Once 1000 license plates are in circulation in the state of Virginia, $15 of the annual $25 cost for the ALZHEIMER’S LICENSE PLATE will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association. *REGISTER TODAY* Online registration available at www.vaendalz.com!

Email: vaendalz@gmail.com for information about the license plate.

Katy Reed, Louisa, VA - 540-967-7098

16 • June 20, 2018

Calendar

The LEGACY

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

July 4

June 25

The Henrico County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a three-part clinic this summer to help residents test their private wells, springs and cisterns for potentially dangerous levels of contaminants.

A meeting to distribute testing kits and explain the Well Water Testing Clinic will be held at 7 p.m. June 25 in the Multipurpose Room at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 East Nine Mile Road.

Participants will drop off their water samples between 8 and 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27 at the Extension office in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.

A meeting to provide residents with a copy of their confidential test results and to share information on water-system care and maintenance will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24 in the Multipurpose Room at the Eastern Government Center. Staff also will be available to discuss results privately after the meeting or by phone.

The water-sample tests will be conducted at Virginia Tech and will include an analysis of the presence of iron, manganese, nitrate, lead, arsenic, fluoride, sulfate, pH, total dissolved solids, hardness, sodium, copper, total coliform bacteria and E. coli bacteria.

“Wells and other private water supplies are not regulated in Virginia,” said Ed Olsen, Henrico’s Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. “Homeowners are responsible for testing the water quality, maintaining the water system and addressing any problems that arise. Henrico Extension is pleased to offer affordable, confidential water tests and information to our residents.”

The cost to participate in the clinic is $55 per water sample, with payment and registration due by Friday, June 15. For more information, call 804-501-5160.

M ...advertised here. oments

&e m o r i e s

Education symposium planned A symposium at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education will explore the latest ideas and available resources for supporting successful transitions for young children through age 5, from early intervention to preschool and kindergarten, as well as transitions across the daily routine.

The fourth annual Evelyn Reed Symposium on Early Childhood Research and Practice will be held Saturday, June 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the VCU Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Ave. The event will be free and open to the public.

“The Evelyn Reed Symposium has truly become a meaningful event for both participants and presenters,” said Serra T. De Arment, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education in the School of Education (pictured). “It is a wonderful opportunity for professionals, families, and VCU students and faculty to come together around a shared interest in promoting positive outcomes for young children and families.”

The theme of this year’s symposium will be “transitions,” and will feature panel presentations, concurrent sessions and opportunities to connect with area agencies.

Parents, teachers, early intervention providers, researchers and graduate students will speak and present posters. Also, Richmond-area early childhood and family agencies will be on hand to provide information.

To attend, register at https://bit.ly/2sXhBNy Coffee and lunch will be provided to everyone who registers in advance.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance documenting hours for recertification.

Free street parking around VCU and the Academic Learning Commons building will be available. Alternatively, symposium participants can choose to park in the West Cary Street Parking Deck, located at the corner of Cary and Harrison streets, which requires an hourly fee ($10 for duration of full symposium).

Submit your calendar events by email to: editor @legacynewspaper.com.

Include the who, what, where, when & contact information that can be printed. Deadline is Friday.

Henrico County Recreation and Parks will present Red, White, and Lights, taking place at Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road.

The free event begins at 5 p.m. and will feature the Richmond Symphony, family activities, musical entertainment, and a fireworks and laser-light show finale.

A Henrico County 4th of July Celebration has taken place annually since 1981, and this is the third year it has been held later in the day with a finale by the Richmond Symphony accompanied by a laser-light show. For 2018, the event is on the move to a new location and will include fireworks in the finale. The symphony will perform under “The Big Tent,” a state-of-the-art mobile stage that allows the orchestra to take its music out into the local communities; and this year they look forward to reaching a new community at Dorey Park.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and arrive early to fully enjoy the event. Children and their families will enjoy contests and games, inflatables, an obstacle course, airbrush tattoos, Jonathan Austin, Miss Sheri the Clown, and Uncle Sam on Stilts, all in the Family Fun Zone from 5 -8 p.m.

The Afro-funk jazz group Plunky & Oneness will perform at 6 p.m.

Emcee for the evening will be Kelli Lemon, RVA’s “social entrepreneur,” on air personality for Radio One Richmond’s Kiss FM and iPower Richmond, and podcast host of “Coffee with Strangers”. The Richmond Symphony will begin at 8:00 p.m. Food trucks will also be onsite to provide a meal or snack while guests enjoy the evening performances.

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June 20, 2018 • 17

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

CBC wants marijuana decriminalized FREDERICK H. LOWE TEWIRE - The Congressional Black Caucus has announced its support of decriminalization of marijuana, the centerpiece of the nation’s war on drugs that landed thousands of black men and women in prison until states began legalizing it for recreational use when it was openly being used by whites.

The 43-member caucus also said it supports expunging criminal records of individuals arrested for possession of small amounts of the drug.

“Some of the same folks who told African-Americans ‘three strikes and you’re out’ when it came to marijuana use and distribution, are now decriminalizing the drug and making a profit off of it,” said U.S. Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, chair of the CBC. Some who will make a profit off of marijuana are Black. Mike Tyson, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, recently broke ground for a California farm to grow marijuana.

The Congressional Black Caucus announced its position days after Cyrus Vance, Jr., the District Attorney for Manhattan, N.Y., said his office would decline to prosecute marijuana possession and smoking cases. The district attorney’s office said the new policy is expected to reduce marijuana prosecutions from 5,000 a year to approximately 200.

New York’s decision follows Seattle’s in which the district attorney and the mayor announced in early May plans to vacate convictions and dismiss charges for marijuana possession for men and women prosecuted by law enforcement from 1997 to 2010.

Washington State and Colorado legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2012.

On the same day the Congressional Black Caucus announced its position, President Donald Trump said he would support ending a federal ban on marijuana, putting him at odds with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, longtime opponent of marijuana possession. Sessions said he did not like members of the Klu Klux Klan because they smoked marijuana.

The use, sale, and possession of all forms of cannabis in the United States is illegal under federal law.

It was classed as a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Under President Barack Obama, states were given leeway in enforcing laws

against marijuana.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, has introduced legislation that would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances, making pot legal at the federal level.

Certain episodes of “Parts Unknown” hosted by celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain also contributed to the changing attitude about marijuana. Bourdain, a former heroin addict, took his television show, “Parts Unknown,” to parts of almost all White New England to show whites of all ages smoking marijuana and using harder drugs like heroin.

Bourdain was found dead June 8 of an apparent suicide.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage charged, however, that blacks from New York were bringing drugs into the state.

Before Bourdain, many people were led to believe through the news media, feature films and law

enforcement that marijuana use was a problem only among blacks.

The way in which marijuana offenses were prosecuted convinced many people to think that way.

In 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union published “The War on Marijuana in Black and White: Billions of Dollars Wasted on Racially Biased Arrests,” which reported that between 2001 and 2010 there eight million marijuana arrests.

The study also reported that a black person is 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person although blacks and whites use marijuana at similar rates.

The report concludes that the war on marijuana, like the larger war on drugs, which is universally regarded as a failure, has had a staggeringly disproportionate impact on blacks.

The CBC reports that 40 percent of federally convicted drug offenders

are black and 12 percent of drug offenders in the prison population are there for marijuana offenses. The CBC also noted that 14 percent of drug offenders’ population is African American.

Decriminalization of marijuana is not a slam dunk in the black community. In his book “Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America,” author James Forman Jr. wrote that some blacks opposed legalization because they saw it as tantamount to giving up on black youth.

The CBC supports rescheduling marijuana from a Schedule 1 controlled substance. In addition, the CBC members want research conducted on the long-term health effects of marijuana. Some early research suggests that heavy marijuana users are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

18 • June 20, 2018

409 E. Main St. #4 (mailing) • 105 1/2 E. Clay St. (office) Richmond, VA 23219 804-644-1550 (office) - 1-800-782-8062 (fax) ads@legacynewspaper.com

Classifieds NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF RICHMOND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Will hold a Public Hearing in the 5th Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA on July 5, 2018, to consider the following under Chapter 30 of the Zoning Code: BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M. 23-18: An application of Paul T. & Mary Elizabeth Poggi for a building permit to construct a one-story addition and an in-ground swimming pool accessory to a single-family detached dwelling at 2 TUCKAHOE BOULEVARD. 24-18: An application of Quality of Life VA, LLC for a building permit to split an existing eighty foot (80’) lot into two (2) forty foot (40’) lots and construct two new single-family (detached) dwellings at 2716 WOODROW AVENUE. 25-18: An application of Edmund & Jean Benson for a building permit to construct an addition to a single-family dwelling at 501 ST. CHRISTOPHERS ROAD. Roy W. Benbow, Secretary Phone: (804) 240-2124 Fax: (804) 646-5789 E-mail: Roy.Benbow@richmondgov.com

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E-mail resume and letter of interest to ads@ legacynewspaper.com detailing your past sales experience. No phone calls please.

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June 20, 2018 • 19

PROC 01-156-002-03600/0615 HAMPTON SOLICITATION The Director of Finance or his designated representative will accept written responses in the Procurement Office, 1 Franklin Street, Suite 345, Hampton, VA 23669 on behalf of the Entity listed below until the date and local time specified.

CITY OF HAMPTON Tuesday, July 17, 2018 1:40 p.m. ET – ITB 19-02/CLP – Proposed Improvements of Maritime Center Relieving Platform. A Mandatory attendance on-site pre-bid conference will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 10:00AM local time at 715 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669 For additional information, see our web page at http://www.hampton.gov/bids-contracts.

A withdrawal of bid due to error shall be in accordance with Section 2.2-4330 of the Code of Virginia. All forms relating to these solicitations may be obtained from the above listed address or for further information call (757) 727-2200. The City of Hampton reserves the right to reject any and all responses, to make awards in whole or in part, and to waive any informality in submittals.

Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned and Veteran Businesses are encouraged to participate.

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