The Commonwealth Times; February 15, 2023

Black History Month Issue

CT COMMONWEALTH TIMES The

‘The music lives on’: Richmond local helped create a globally influential record label

PEGGY STANSBERY Staff Writer

Richmond-born James “Plunky” Branch thought he was going to sue Jimmy Gray the first time they met, said Branch, musician, producer and historian. Instead, Gray and Branch co-founded Black Fire Records together.

“Jimmy had a magazine called Black Fire where he listed the records he was distributing and did articles about them,” Branch said. “But the magazine’s logo was a small version of my album cover from my first record from Strata-East Records. I contacted Strata-East and was like ‘I need to sue him.’”

Strata-East Records told Branch they had given Gray permission to distribute his record and suggested that

Black music often promotes political and cultural ideas and archival footage of the riots in Washington and the Black Panthers, according to Branch.

Branch hopes the documentary inspires people to look and listen to music, particularly Black music, differently, he said.

“People oftentimes take music for granted,” Branch said. “It is something that happens in the background of an advertisement or the background while we study, but music can be so much more. It can be a vehicle for studying history, particularly Black history. Much of Black history was not written down, but a lot of it is encoded in the music.”

Afrikana Film Festival had previously screened the documentary at their seventh annual festival in Septem-

Richmond, made to the global music scene and culture.

“It is not just important for Black people to understand that, especially Black people here in Richmond, but I think it is important for everyone to understand that and have a level of clarity and a level of respect in terms of the Black contribution,” Moon said.

Afrikana Film Festival’s Sonic Curator Mike Kemetic will present his “playcast,” a combination of songs and write-ups, and host the Q&A at the “Black Fire” screening, according to Kemetic.

The playcast for the “Black Fire,” named “11:11,” includes 11 songs from Black Fire Records and 11 songs from artists influenced by them, according to Kemetic.

“I thought it was important to understand how Black Fire fits in with what is going on now and their influence,” Kemetic said. “I wanted to show how you can hear the influence of the label’s artists in the music people are

The Black Fire documentary highlights the label’s authenticity, which made them so successful, Kemetic said. Kemetic hopes his Q&A and the documentary shows people the relevance and “authentic cultural identity” of their music, he said. “Their music resonated across the globe,” Kemetic said. “They made the music that was important to them, they made the sounds that were important to them and they used the rhythms that were important to them — and that resonated with people.”

“Black Fire” has been screened at numerous film festivals and won local awards in the Washington area. The film received “good responses’’ and has shown it “has some legs,” Branch said. They are currently extending it into a longer piece and creating a second documentary that plans to be released in

“I think the impact of Black Fire has been massive,” Branch said. “But lots of people here in this country might not know about Black Fire, and that is one of the reasons why we did this documentary to document that history.”

Afrikana presents a screening of “Black Fire” followed by a performance and Q&A with Branch at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia on Wednesday, Feb. 15

Spectrum Editor’s Black History Month listicle

CHLOE HAWKINS

Spectrum Editor

The month of February calls for many things: a famous groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, a national holiday dedicated to spreading unconditional love to partners and friends, and last but not least; a chance to highlight and celebrate all things surrounding Black culture.

While it’s nice to always be on the look out for culture-driven events, here are some specific ones that are happening locally this month.

Black Art Exhibitions

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has curated many Black-focused ex-

hibitions for the month of February, and throughout the year.

These installations include Isaac Julien’s “Lessons of the Hour—Frederick Douglass,” Ebony Patterson’s “Three Kings Weep” and a photo gallery by Dennis O. Williams titled “A Powerful Influence: Early Photographs of African Americans.”

For all the art lovers in Richmond, this sounds like a day well spent enjoying the history behind Black history and artwork.

Rootin’ For Everybody Black Strangeways Brewing is hosting a burlesque and variety experience titled “Rootin’ For Everybody Black” on Feb. 17.

SparkDazzle Entertainment will be bringing Blackness in all forms during this experience. Strangeways’ doors open at

8:30 p.m., and the performance begins at 9 p.m.

Black History Museum

The Black History Museum and Culture Center of Virginia is presenting an interactive, educational event on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Notable Black figures, historical and current, will be portrayed by children throughout the museum. This is a fun way to learn about Black history while also supporting Black people of all ages. This event is free to the public.

Black Voices

TEDxVCU is collaborating with VCU Office of Multicultural Affairs to curate three TED Talk discussions centered

around African culture and Black joy. Connect and find a sense of community with fellow minorities on campus at this event. It’s taking place at the VCU Student Commons on Feb. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Black Book Expo

The Elegba Folklore Society is hosting its annual Black Book Expo: A Conscious Literary Festival from Feb. 25-26 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This expo will offer a deep dive into literary topics such as African spirituality, diasporic culture and social justice.

Black authors will be present to meet and chat. Their books will also be available to browse and buy, and this festival is free.

Illustration by Danielle Murphy

News CT

City considers removal of Jackson Ward mural to preserve historic area

NATALIE BARR

Staff

Writer

Local artist Nils posted on a Richmond subreddit, an online community forum through Reddit, about needing a blank wall for Swiss artist Bust to paint a mural. Homeowner Josh Shaheen, who’s lived in Jackson Ward for a little over a year, had a blank wall and offered the space, thinking nothing of it — until he received a letter taped on his door, he said.

The mural on the side of Shaheen’s home in Jackson Ward, Richmond’s historic district, gained attention after the city said the homeowner did not have permission to paint murals.

“I had no idea. I don’t know, far be it for me to think that I could do anything I wanted with my property, but apparently that’s not the case,” Shaheen said. “Lesson learned.”

The city claimed Shaheen received a letter when he moved into the historic district, which laid out the rules of what he could and could not do with his property, but Shaheen never saw such a letter, he said.

“I would have thought that if something that had such big, hard and fast rules that there’d be some sort of thing you had to sign but there wasn’t,” Shaheen said.

The block where the homeowner lives has murals and graffiti on walls in every direction. There was even graffiti on his own wall, and was covered up when the mural was installed, Shaheen said. He thought it would be a “win-win” solution with a new piece of art, he said.

Shaheen contacted the head of the Jackson Ward Historic District and the Commission of Architectural Review, or CAR, and assumed the whole situation would not be a big

deal, he said. Shaheen was told this was the first time something like this happened, he said.

Shaheen attended a CAR meeting a few weeks ago where the commission discussed the mural. A decision was deferred until the next meeting on Feb. 24, according to Shaheen. Ultimately, CAR wants the mural to be removed or covered up, which Shaheen hopes does not happen, he said.

“I’m appealing the process, so I’m holding off on any attempts at removing

hypocritical.”

Cities are made up of various different neighborhoods, each with their own history, tradition and often, their own architectural style and character, according to architectural historian Edwin Slipek.

“Richmond’s neighborhoods have a certain style to each one. Church Hill has various characters, the same is true with Northside and the West End. Jackson Ward, in particular, is one the city’s oldest neighborhoods,” Slipek said. “It’s one of the best preserved, preserved in a particular era, and one of the reasons it is so special.”

The neighborhood is unlike others because it was not torn down and rebuilt with high-rise buildings or bigger buildings, he

ical background and the rules attached to being a resident, and even though some areas of Richmond have become known for their murals, Jackson Ward is not, according to Slipek.

“They [Jackson Ward residents and the city] don’t want the idea of someone coming and painting a mural on the outside of their house, which is, as you’re correct, a private decision to make on your private piece of property,” Slipek said. “But there are also standards and agreements that have been made jointly between the community and the city of Richmond and homeowners.”

Slipek believes the city should have chemicals to safely remove the paint without causing harm to the brick exterior, he said.

Slipek realizes there are changing cultures within cities, and does not know what the final decision will be, due to the historical preservation strongly tied to the neighborhood, he said.

the artwork until I get a final verdict,” Shaheen said.

The homeowner started a petition to gain support, even though digital signatures might not do a lot to change CAR’s mind, he said. Foot traffic has increased in the neighborhood since the mural went up and he hopes the amount of attention the situation has received will result in a good outcome, Shaheen said.

“This is kind of where I’m at now, it sucks. Why take down this amazing piece of art, when there’s murals in every direction, graffiti everywhere. It’s not like the city’s making any attempts to remove that,” Shaheen said. “It kind of seems

said. Black communities lived in Jackson Ward in the 20th century, and Slipek believes this is the reason the area has remained so intact, he said.

“One of the things that people treasure in those old neighborhoods is the old architecture, and often beautiful architecture, and what they try to do is to maintain a consistent standard for the maintenance and the restoration of those buildings,” Slipek said.

Residents who move to the area know the histor-

“Maybe from this discussion it could be that they [Jackson Ward residents and the city] might loosen up the rules,” Slipek said. “All depends on what the neighborhood collectively wants.” Richmond City Council established CAR in 1957, as the city’s official historic preservation body. CAR reviews all exterior changes to structures in the district and issues Certificates of Appropriateness, or COA, for projects CAR defines as appropriate, according to Maritza Pechin, Office of Equitable Development deputy director as stated in an email.

Before (cut out on page) and after (above) the mural. Photo courtesy of Josh Shaheen

Jackson Ward was established as a historic district in 1987, and as homes have been restored in the district, the community “worked tirelessly” to keep the historic authenticity, she stated.

The installation of the mural on Shaheen’s home violated CAR’s rules since he was not issued a COA, Pechin stated.

“Mr. Shaheen cannot paint a mural on his home based on the regulations established by CAR, which include prohibitions on painting previously unpainted brick,” Pechin stated.

The city is waiting for information from Shaheen about the feasibility to remove the paint from the brick, and staff will provide him with recommendations, Pechin stated.

Ian Hess, founder of Supply RVA, an art store in the Jackson Ward neighborhood, had only been open for a few days before an artist from Sweden was his first customer, according to Hess. This is the same artist who painted the now infamous Jackson Ward mural, Hess said.

“It kind of felt a bit like destiny, I’m not gonna lie,” Hess said.

The paints used for the mural do not contain any damaging “materials or acids,” so removing the mural would cause more harm, according to Hess. He does not understand why CAR would want to remove a mural within an art district, he said.

“The idea of seeing the headlines of ‘art districts tears down international artist’s mural’ is not a good look,” Hess said.

Hess has seen a lot of people visit the mural, take selfies and use the mural as album covers; he worries what the impact of removing or covering up the mural will have on the art community and fans of Richmond’s murals, if an “extreme measure” is taken, he said.

“Perceptually, it’ll ripple through the whole community. I mean it’s beautiful you know,” Hess said. “If anything, it’s easier to just not do anything.”

Richmond’s neighborhoods have a certain style to each one. Church Hill has various characters, the same is true with Northside and the West End. Jackson Ward, in particular, is one the city’s oldest neighborhoods. It’s one of the best preserved, preserved in a particular era, and one of the reasons it is so special.”

Edwin Slipek, architectural historian

Map of historic districts, according to rva.gov

Church

Richmond’s first historic neighborhood and known for Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.

Shockoe Bottom

Known for its largest concentration of Victorian architecture. Name of the neighborhood is due to 85 blocks of the neighborhood spread out like the shape of a fan.

Hill The Fan Jackson Ward

Historically African-American neighborhood and was known as the “Harlem of the South.”

Manchester

Originally settled by the English in 1609 and a port in the 1800s, until it was annexed by the City of Richmond in 1910.

Carver

The neighborhood developed into a strong African American community between 1840 and 1920. Named a historic district in 2000.

Oregon Hill Scott’s Addition

A neighborhood used to be the home to workers of the James River and Kanawha Canal and now has transitioned to homing VCU students and young families.

Once was the nation’s second largest slave trading center and has since transformed into a neighborhood for small businesses and restaurants.

Primarily known for its previous industrial and commercial uses. Today the district houses many businesses, restaurants, a plethora of breweries and more

Battery Park

Named historic district in 2003 and was named after a Confederate Battery.

Plaque recounts the history of Jackson Ward.

Photo by Clare Wislar

Infographic by Clare Wislar

VCU student dies in traffic accident, university campaigns safety initiatives

VARSHA VASUDEVAN Staff Writer SARAH HAGEN Contributing Writer

VCU student Mahrokh Khan died after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street on the morning of Jan. 27, according to a VCU statement.

Khan was crossing the road in the intersection at Laurel and West Main streets and was transported to VCU Medical Center after the incident. She was later pronounced dead there, according to the statement.

The statement shared mental health resources for students and stated the Richmond Police Department is still actively investigating the incident.

“We remind all community members to please be aware of the importance of sharing the roads in and around VCU,” the statement read. “Please follow posted speed limits, travel slowly through busy intersections and keep an eye out for others on roadways.”

VCU Chief of Police John Venuti released a statement following the traffic incident, assuring VCU Police’s commitment to the safety of its community members.

“We want to assure you that we’re working routinely with city officials and other policing agencies to address traffic concerns and keep roads safe,” the release stated. “While we continue to work with the city, we respectfully ask everyone to be aware of their surroundings and to practice safe habits.”

VCU Police announced a new campaign initiative following Khan’s death to increase the enforcement of traffic laws, according to a VCU News article.

“The goals of the campaign are to encourage safer behaviors by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and to decrease ac-

Traffic

cidents,” the article states. “Outreach will include officers speaking with community members at crosswalks, hosting outreach events and distributing safety information in VCU’s parking facilities.

VCU Police has been working on increasing “enforcement and outreach” on traffic safety, and the campaign initiative is a big part of this, according to VCU Police spokesperson Corey Byers. The first event was on Feb. 8, but Byers said there may be more.

VCU police officers were dressed in referee uniforms during the safety initiative, and they blew whistles and threw down flags whenever a pedestrian violated crossing rules such as walking during a red light or outside of the crosswalk.

“We’re also going to be working with other agencies, with Richmond Police and state police, to have some initiatives for traffic, so specifically for vehicles,” Byers said. “We’re hoping that having these touchpoints and talking to people just raises that awareness.”

The idea of this campaign is to speak with the people that use busy intersections everyday and raise awareness about crossing rules and pedestrian safety, according to Byers.

“Our hope is that people are just making those safe habits more routine, day to day and just being more mindful when they’re out,” Byers said. “That’s whether they’re driving or they’re cycling or they’re walking.”

A week after Khan’s death on Feb. 2, another woman was hit by a car at the West Grace and North Harrison intersection.

There is no information about the pedestrian except that she is recovering in the hospital. The driver was “cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk,” according to WRIC.

Freshman psychology student Caroline Masterson said that she does not feel safe

walking past Laurel and Main, and Main Street in general. Driving is the same for her.

“It is so stressful because VCU students are ruthless,” Masterson said. “They will just book it if there’s even a sliver of time to get across the road.”

Freshman art history student Liliana Faircloth said that safety has never really crossed her mind while walking through the city in the past, but since Khan’s death, it’s been at the front of her thoughts.

Faircloth said she walks past the Laurel and Main intersection every day, and it feels especially unsafe because the parking garage nearby houses a lot of commuters and increases the number of cars.

More crossing guards, like the ones stationed outside the University Student Commons, should be put at busy intersections to reduce reckless driving, according to Faircloth.

Faircloth said she sees a lot of people ignore the light at the intersection, both drivers and pedestrians, so a crossing guard enforcing it would make her feel safer and reduce the frustration that results in jaywalking and running lights.

Sophomore advertising student Carolina Gomez said she thinks the area around campus is safer because drivers expect a lot of student pedestrians but feels unsafe traveling on foot and by car in her home at Shockoe Bottom.

Gomez said close calls while driving are far too frequent “because people were speeding” and being “selfish drivers.”

“I literally can’t even cross the street where I live because the drivers are very aggressive and will not stop,” Gomez said. “Driving is literally awful. I actually almost got in an accident today, because people are just so impatient and don’t even give a second thought.”

Our hope is that people are just making those safe habits more routine, day to day and just being more mindful when they’re out. That’s whether they’re driving or they’re cycling or they’re walking.”

Corey Byers VCU Police spokesperson

“I literally can’t even cross the street where I live because the drivers are very aggressive and will not stop. Driving is literally awful. I actually almost got in an accident today, because people are just so impatient and don’t even give a second thought.”

Carolina Gomez sophomore advertising student

according to Virginia DMV’s website

January - February

64

Property damage incidents (two were due to driver being distracted while driving)

incidents,

3 25

Fatal incidents ( one of which includes Khan’s case at Main and Laurel)

Injury incidents ( four were involved with pedestrians and one was involved with a bicyclist)

Congressional District

→ Supports mental health and reproductive health being part of comprehensive health insurance plans

→ Supports “one-gun-a-month rule” and universal background check

→ Cosponsored Senate Bill 1165, which abolishes the death penalty in Virginia

→ Supports domestic natural gas and petroleum production

→ Opposes open borders at the southern border

→ Aims to address political polarization and division

‘Every seat counts’: Two candidates face off in Virginia’s Special Election

VALI JAMAL

Contributing Writer

Democratic nominee and incumbent for Virginia’s 9th Senate District Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, is running against Republican nominee Leon Benjamin in the Feb. 21 special election.

Rep. Donald McEachin, D-VA, died on Nov. 28, 2022, less than three weeks after being re-elected, leaving a vacancy in the seat, according to McEachin’s Twitter.

McEachin served in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning in 2017. Prior to this, he served as a legislator in the Virginia General Assembly, according to McEachin’s website.

Basic civil liberties, voting rights, abortion care, medical care and family care. Basically all the ‘cares’ is what I care about”

Zoe Chernicoff, a 4th District resident and researcher for Fair Fight Action

The 4th Congressional District covers part or all of counties: Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Henrico, Prince George, Richmond, Southampton, Surry and Sussex, according to the Virginia Redistricting Commission’s website.

This congressional seat has been held by the Democratic Party since 2016, according to a previous article from The Commonwealth Times.

McClellan would be the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress. She garnered 85% of votes in the special election primary against Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, according to NPR.

27 Black women currently serve in the House of Representatives; McClellan would make 28, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

She served the last 17 years in the Virginia General Assembly, first as a Delegate and then as a Senator, according to McClellan’s website. She currently also serves as vice chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

She is planning to focus on issues such as abortion-rights and voting rights, according to McClellan’s website.

The Commonwealth Times reached out to McClellen’s campaign team but were unable to schedule an interview by the date of publication.

Benjamin was born in Richmond and received a master’s degree at Rovear Christian University in Christian education,

according to Benjamin’s Linkedin profile. He has not held public office before, but currently serves as the senior pastor and bishop of New Life Harvest Church.

Benjamin challenged McEachin in 2020 and 2022, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. This upcoming special election would be his third bid for office.

Issues like political polarization and prioritizing domestic energy sources are what Benjamin is focusing on, according to his campaign website.

The Commonwealth Times reached out to Benjamin’s campaign team, but they declined an interview.

Joe Mayer, a lead tax policy analyst at Virginia Department of Taxation, was not originally aware of the upcoming special election, but is now planning to vote on Feb. 21.

Mayer said military defense, healthcare and education are some issues that are encouraging him to vote in the election.

“With all the things going on in the world with Russia and with China, [it is] probably more important than ever that we have a strong military,” Mayer said. “I have questioned military spending over the years, but it seems like the money is well worth it when you have countries like Russia invading other countries.”

Zoe Chernicoff, a 4th District resident and researcher for Fair Fight Action, said she has already voted in early voting.

“Basic civil liberties, voting rights,

abortion care, medical care and family care. Basically all the ‘cares’ is what I care about,” Chernicoff said.

Ashish Tiwari, another resident in the 4th District, said the biggest issue this election is people forgetting about the election or not knowing about it.

“Every seat counts. Republicans have a majority, but it is very slim,” Tiwari said.

VCU graduate student Kat Thompson said advocating for equal wealth is something that she looks for in the candidates.

“I’ve been in Richmond a couple of times in the past, around like five years ago. Coming back now for school and seeing how gentrified it is to the point where it’s like not the same Richmond I knew,” Thompson said.

Thompson said she hopes the new representative will also focus on helping people without housing.

Early voting began on Jan. 6, and will be open until Feb. 18. The last day to register to vote in the special election is Feb. 14, and the last day to vote is Feb. 21.

Jennifer McClellan’s campaign sign posted outside of a home in Richmond. Leon Benjamin’s campaign sign posted outside of a home in Richmond.

Photos by Alessandro Latour

Sports CT

Stat of the week

VCU track members, senior Kacey Pratt and junior David Coles earned Atlantic 10 Conference weekly awards for the week, according to VCU Athletics.

LeBron James becomes all-time scoring leader, GOAT

THAILON WILSON Staff Writer

Lakers small forward LeBron James surpassed NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on Feb. 7.

“The kid from Akron” played against the Oklahoma City Thunder and dropped 38 points, according to ESPN.

James scored a fadeaway midrange jumper to finally dethrone the scoring record that Abdul-Jabbar held for over 40 years, according to CBS Sports.

Abdul-Jabbar said in an interview with People that he is proud to see James break the record and it made him “love” the game once again.

“LeBron makes me love the game again,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “He makes me proud to be a part of an ever-changing group of athletes who actively care about their community.”

The 20-year journey that James has partaken on thus far to become the record holder is a cultivation of James’ ability to stay healthy and consistently perform.

Fox Sports commentator Shannon Sharpe said on his show “Undisputed” that the moment LeBron made that

jump shot created a memory for so many people.

“Even though the Lakers didn’t end up winning the game, the people in the crowd were still so happy because of what they were able to witness,” Sharpe said. “We don’t know if we’ll ever witness it again.”

So many household names went to witness James attempt to break the record, from Abdul-Jabbar himself to rapper Jay-Z and actor Denzel Washington.

Skip Bayless who is Sharpe’s partner on “Undisputed” is known to be highly critical of James, but even he gave James his homage for passing Abdul-Jabbar as the all time leading scorer.

“He’s the greatest driver-to-the-rim basketball player I have ever seen,” Bayless said. “From the day he stepped on the court as a 18 year-old in Sacramento to this very day.”

When that fadeaway shot entered the hoop with 10.9 seconds left to go in the third quarter, the crowd went wild.

It was finally official that Abdul-Jabbar had passed the torch to James and as a result of the torch passing, a standing ovation happened in the middle of the game.

As I sat in my room and watched the

game, I could personally say that I have never seen someone get a standing ovation in the middle of a game to that magnitude.

As Abdul-Jabbar mentioned the community of athletes that care about their community, James has put in the work on and off the court.

In 2018, James helped to create a school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio to help provide a place for underprivileged children in his own community and provide resources to set them up for success down the road, according to CNN.

James is also an avid speaker on police brutality and Black disenfranchisement, as he demonstrated throughout his career especially throughout the 2010’s with the increase in social media usage.

As a response to James’ push for the solving of systemic issues that James is protesting against, in 2018, a Fox conservative talk show host, Laura Ingraham said that James should “shut up and dribble.”

“Keep the political commentary to yourself, and as someone once said ‘shut up and dribble,’” Ingraham said.

James responded in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests drawing a

similarity of Ingraham’s words to how police discriminate against Black people in a collage video.

This accomplishments on the court and off the court have made him a beacon within the Black community and makes his ascension to the all-time leading scorer even more special that he did it during Black History Month.

James’ historic night represented to many Black boys and girls who grew up in harsh conditions and, or troubling circumstances like he grew up in that they can do great things and be a beacon of Black excellence.

As a huge basketball fan, James has been an inspiration to me as a Black man who strives to be the best that I can be.

With all the accolades and his style of play on the court as well as who he is off the court, I can comfortably say that LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time.

Illustration by Killian GoodalePorter

BERSABEH KEMAW Contributing Writer

For this week’s pick, we’re heading to the NBA for a western conference face off. The Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns will go head-to-head at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Feb. 16.

The Suns and Clippers are no strangers on the court, as they have played two games against each other within the 2023 season. However, both times, the Suns have come out on top, defeating the Clippers.

Last week, we got to see many trades happen within the NBA before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. These trades included, but were not limited to, Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren going to the Suns and Mason Plumlee, Eric Gordon and Nah’Shon “Bones”

Sports’ pick of the week PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS:

Hyland all going to the Clippers, according to ESPN.

The Suns not only have home court advantage against the Clippers, but also have a good starting line up that includes Chris Paul, the third player in the NBA with the most assists of all time, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, according to Bright Side of the Sun.

When you add a phenomenal offensive player like Durant to the starting five, who has the fifth highest scoring average of all time in the league, that adds even more fuel to the Suns.

Although the Clippers have acquired Hyland, who is a great guard, they did trade their other two top guards, so Hyland won’t be able to carry the team on his own.

The Suns will — without a doubt, — defeat the Clippers yet again.

GAME RESULTS

FEBRUARY 5

WOMEN’S TENNIS - AT MARSHALL WON 4-3

FEBRUARY 7

MEN’S BASKETBALL - VS. DAYTON LOST 62-58

FEBRUARY 8

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - AT SAINT JOSEPH’S LOST 67-45

FEBRUARY 10

WOMEN’S TENNIS - VS. NORFOLK STATE WON 7-0

FEBRUARY 11

MEN’S TENNIS - VS. CLEMSON WON 4-0

WOMEN’S LACROSSE - VS. VIRGINIA TECH LOST 14-8

FEBRUARY 12

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - VS. RHODE ISLAND LOST 63-31

MEN’S TENNIS - AT LIBERTY WON 5-2

The Rams look to keep swinging going into the 2023 season

HIT HARD, RUN FAST AND TURN LEFT.

The pressure is mounting on the 2022 Atlantic 10 champion: the VCU Rams. The black and gold look to maintain the flame with yet another victorious campaign as the men’s baseball team prepares for a full stride in the upcoming weeks.

The Rams will be contenders to defend their A-10 Championship in the upcoming campaign thanks to thrilling games. It’s looking to be a tremendous season for the black and gold with games against some of the NCAA’s top-ranked teams and rematches against opponents that helped mold them into champions.

As the Rams take the plate, a mix of conference and non-conference games comprise this list of important matchups to look forward to this season.

SEASON OPENER, VCU VS COASTAL CAROLINA, FEB. 19

The Rams will take the plate and play against the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina University, who ended their 2022 season with 39 wins and 20 losses.

This matchup will have VCU facing

national-caliber talent in its opening weekend, which is ultimately the position the Rams hope to be in by the end of the season.

The Rams did not compete against Coastal last year, so this is a new match up for VCU’s head coach Bradley LeCroy. He will take on a triple header, as the Rams also play Middle Tennessee and Fairfield that particular weekend.

VCU AT NO. 19 VIRGINIA, MAY 2

The Rams face University of Virginia, the nation’s No. 24 ranked team, according to the NCAA.

The “battle of Virginia” will be intense. The Hoos come to protect their territory and “crown” the “kings” of Virginia because of their track record of good baseball seasons.

The 2022 season for UVA was disappointing because they were eliminated in the second round of the ACC tournament. The Rams did lose to the Hoos 12-6 last season, but they also triumphed in a thrilling 10 inning game in their first encounter. Given that they will be playing at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park in Charlottesville, the Rams shouldn’t feel any pressure from this non-conference opponent.

VCU VS UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, MAY 12-14

The Richmond game is always significant because it demonstrates who really controls Richmond. On the pre-season predictions for the Atlantic 10 conference, the Spiders are now ranked third, just behind the Rams.

The showdown between the Spiders and Rams makes for the ideal plot. Given the stress at the end of the regular season and just before the tournament, the Rams will want to repeat their 2022 campaign of entering the tournament on a winning streak.

VCU AT NO. 12 NORTH CAROLINA, FEB. 28-MARCH 1

When the Rams play Uni versity of North Caro lina Chapel Hill on Feb. 28 and March 1, they take on an other top 20 team. The Tar Heels are presently rated No. 12, according to NCAA.

The Tar Heels and Rams faced off three times in the NCAA tournament last year, with the Tarheels losing the first game but winning the following two while the Rams fought valiantly in defeat, twice in a row.

In contrast to previous years, the Rams will get to play their postseason opponents early on to gauge the competition and ultimately strive to avenge their postseason defeats.

VCU AT DAVIDSON COLLEGE, MAY 4-6

Last but certainly not least, the Rams will take on Davidson, another league rival, in this matchup as part of a tripleheader. The Rams and Wildcats played in a nearly identical game the previous season, a three-game set in which the Rams were defeated 2–1.

The Rams have already been ranked second in the A-10 preseason rankings to Davidson despite being the defending champions, so this game is not just an opportunity to atone for the last encounter but also a chance to dispel doubt from detractors. Audiences can only anticipate that there will be a great deal of tension during this confrontation.

MARCUS WILSON

Contributing Writer

VCU junior outfielder Devan Barnett looks to hit at bat in a game against the University of Virginia on April 19, 2022. Photo by Alessandro Latour

VCU redshirt senior outfielder Logan Amiss follows through with a swing in a game against the University of Virginia on April 19, 2022.

Photo by Alessandro Latour

Illustration by Viv Rathfon

§pectrum CT

Public art installation honors African American community leaders

EMILY RICHARDSON Staff Writer

ommunity-activated art project RVA Community Makers will be unveiled Feb. 16, coinciding with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ celebration of Black History Month.

The VMFA’s annual project, now in its fifth year, aims to highlight African American community leaders across a variety of fields. RVA Community Makers “showcases the Black history being made every day in RVA,” according to the VMFA. This year, the project will be presented through video storytelling.

Hamilton Glass, artist and creator of Community Makers, initially approached the VMFA with his idea four years ago to celebrate some of the work Black leaders in the community were doing.

“Public art is able to highlight people, but also bring people together,” Glass said. “Every single RVA Community Makers project has a community engagement aspect of it for people to learn who the honorees are but also to get people making art at the VMFA.”

The honorees this year are Janine Bell of Elegba Folklore Society, radio host Gary Flowers, and the three founders of Jackson Ward Collective: Rasheeda Creighton, Kelli Lemon and Melody Joy Short.

JANINE BELL, ELEGBA FOLKLORE SOCIETY

The Elegba Folklore Society has multiple ways of furthering its mission including a cultural center in the Arts District, performances of African dance and music and cultural history tours in the city, according to founder and president Bell.

“We provide programming that helps to

reinstill cultural foundations among African Americans that are woefully missing based on societal conditioning,” Bell said.

Adults have looked reflectively on experiences they have had with the society, and said to Bell, “you were the first to show us who we were,” she said.

“When people of African descent reach back and find their culture, it’s amazing, because we have been so torn apart from our true self that when we find it again it’s a moment of thanksgiving,” Bell said. “It’s also a moment of really grounding humility because we know that the simplest things are the most powerful.”

GARY FLOWERS, ‘THE GARY FLOWERS SHOW’ AND ‘WALKING THE WARD WITH GARY FLOWERS’

Richmond native Flowers hosts his namesake radio show in the mornings, where he offers commentary on current events with his 35-year background in civil rights and public policy, Flowers said. In the afternoons, Flowers leads tours of historic Jackson Ward in his series titled “Walking the Ward with Gary Flowers.”

Through both endeavors, Flowers seeks to reveal Richmond’s centrality to America’s unfolding story, according to the VMFA’s website.

“In many ways, Richmond, Virginia is ground zero to the American empire,” Flowers said. “The politics of Virginia have always been critical to the national political platforms of candidates.”

Flowers feels motivated to “reposition Richmond in its rightful place in world history,” he said.

“As the world comes to Richmond, Virginia in 2026 for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, I’m proud to elevate Richmond as a central city to that evolution,” Floers said.

KELLI LEMON, JACKSON WARD COLLECTIVE

To Lemon, entrepreneur and co-founder of the JWC Foundation, there’s just “something special” about Richmond, she said.

Lemon, alongside fellow entrepreneurs Creighton and Short, established the JWC Foundation in August 2020 out of a need for Black business owners in Richmond to have resources to learn, grow and own their businesses, according to Lemon.

“After the murder of George Floyd, we were in a space where non-Black folks felt the need to know how they were supporting Black businesses, know about Black history and know how they were looking at Black lives,” Lemon said.

Lemon said it’s humbling to be recognized alongside community icons Bell and Flowers, and a reminder of the legacy of Black icons of Richmond’s past.

“We’re just standing on the shoulders of Maggie Walker, John Mitchell, the True Reformers, all of those in Jackson Ward that came before us,” Lemon said. “We know we’re leaving a mark. However, the legacy we’re building is for the future — we’re doing this for the next generation.”

RVA Community Makers 2023 begins with an unveiling and program Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at the VMFA. Admission to the installation is free.

Traveling art show raises awareness for Equal Rights Amendment

MACKENZIE MELESKI

Contributing Writer

An art show raising awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment will be making a stop at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

VoteEquality partnered with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture to bring Artists4ERA to Richmond. The event raises awareness of “the effort to add gender equality to the U.S. Constitution with the Equal Rights Amendment,” according to the Artists4ERA website. Over 30 artists created unique pieces out of a wide variety of mediums specifically for the event.

The opening reception will take place on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., while the exhibition will be up at the museum until April 2. VoteEquality program coordinator Jessica Kujala said the show is meant to bring new imagery to the Equal Rights Amendment.

Kujala worked with VoteEquality program director Liza Mickens and local artist and activist Nico Cathart to find artists for the event. Kujala said that their focus was on finding artists that represent the diversity of the world today and allowing everyone to be included.

“We really have made sure that our artists are also reflective of the word ‘equality,’” Kujala said. “We wanted to make sure that that message was loud, that it’s not just about one person, it’s about everyone.”

The show focuses on giving a platform to underrepresented groups in the art world. The featured artists come from a variety of different races, genders and backgrounds, according to Kujala.

Among the featured artists is Jowarnise Caston, a painter from Richmond. Her artist name is Jowarnise — she created a piece specifically for Artists4ERA titled “Equality Rising for Voices Unheard.”

Using acrylic paints, Jowarnise conveys themes of race and identity drawn from her own experiences.

“I’m hoping this will start some new conversations that need to be held to make the right changes that we need and that everyone can make,” Jowarnise said.

Also featured in the art show is VCUarts fashion professor Michael-Birch Pierce. In addition to teaching at VCU, they own and operate a gallery in Richmond that creates fine art embroidery pieces to be sold and displayed throughout the world.

Carhart invited Pierce to be a part of Artists4ERA after collaborating together in the past.

“I think that they [guests] are gonna see some works that inspires them and challenges them and makes them want to get engaged in a movement for gender equality and for protecting our rights,” Pierce said.

Pierce contributes a piece titled “All of Us” made from velvet that uses couture Irish embroidery techniques to create figure images.

“It’s got four different figures of different gender presentations that are all nude and floating through like a sea of velvet rhinestones,” Pierce said.

In addition to showcasing original pieces, artists will sell original prints of their artworks to raise money for VoteEquality, according to Kujala. 20 of the featured artists plan to attend the opening event and answer guests’ questions.

“It will just be a really educational but yet again, joyful event to celebrate all that we’ve done and to say, ‘how do we continue to lead the charge to ensure the publication of the era in the U.S. Constitution?’” Kujala said.

Henry Lewis became the first African American to lead a symphony orchestra in the United States in 1968.

Above: Janine Bell poses for photo.

Photo courtesy of Initiatives of Change USA

Right: Richmond native and talk show host Gary Flowers poses for a photo. Photo courtesy of Gary Flowers

Artist Nicole LaRue is pictured with her work ‘Welcome to the Revolution’ at an ARTISTS4ERA event. Photo courtesy of Jessica Kujala

Opinions

KOFI MFRAMA

Opinions Editor

VERY FEBRUARY, LIKE CLOCKWORK, my teachers would pull out the same lessons about the same four or five Black historical figures. Every year, we were taught the same trite lessons on Martin Luther King Jr. having a dream, Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat and Harriet Tubman’s journey to freedom.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s important that we learn these things, these figures are integral parts of American history. It’s the nature in which we learned about them that never sat right with me.

While white historical figures are given intellectual country throughout the year, Black figures just aren’t afforded that same depth. Instead, they are relegated to the same month every year. Black figures don’t deserve to only be discussed during Black History Month — their accomplishments should be woven into the expansive fabric of American history year-round.

Black History Month began as “Negro History Week” in 1926 when American historian and “father of Black history” Carter G. Woodson wanted to “designate a time to promote and educate people about Black history and culture,” according to NPR.

The weeklong celebration, originally taking place in the second week of

February, became a month-long celebration when Pres. Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, according to NPR.

The original intention was never to place limits on discussions of Black history, but to act as a conduit to deepen our understanding of Black contributions to our cultural zeitgeist.

However, it seems as though the original meaning of the celebration has gotten lost.

Instead of using this time to celebrate

the Black accomplishments we’ve already spent the year acknowledging, we regurgitate the same talking points over and over again.

This ultimately does a disservice not only to the people we aim to celebrate, but to those of us eager to learn about underrepresented figures. The very limited amount of people we talk about only becomes more limited as we deny exploring the breadth of their accomplishments and contributions.

Quote of the week

We’re all very familiar with King’s dreams of racial equality, but little is taught about his anti-capitalist teachings and advocacy for class consciousness and equity. We know all about Parks’ refusal to give up her seat, but we are never taught that she was one of many Black women who stood their ground.

It’s certainly not lost on me that more radical thinkers like bell hooks, Fred Hampton and Angela Davis are excluded from mainstream discussion during Black History Month. Frankly, the very limited amount of people and ideologies we highlight fit neatly into white sensibilities of racial equality.

They all tend to be very middle-ofthe-road. Progressive enough to confirm what we already know is true — racism is bad, equality is good — but not too progressive as to offer any grandiose criticisms of white supremacy and white hegemony. This only proves that white people and their comfort are at the helm of most discussions of Black history which only limits these discussions more.

By expanding our recognition and celebration of Black history, we’ll have the opportunity to uplift previously underappreciated voices and expose new audiences to philosophies that can help us progress as a community in our ongoing fight for liberation.

Black history is American history, and it should be treated as such.

Many critics of racially sensitive topics in public schools believe that teaching students about racism or America’s racist history is some form of indoctrination. They believe that topics like these only politicize children and that kids are far too young to be exposed to these ideas.

If Black kids are old enough to experience racism, white kids are old enough to learn about it.

The removal of said curriculum is a calculated attempt at deradicalizing our youth and dissuading them from questioning an undoubtedly oppressive society.

Students are starting to realize this.

More than 200 students walked out of an Alabama high school on Feb. 8 after school leaders told them to remove discussions of slavery and civil rights because it made one of the administrators uncomfortable, according to The Associated Press.

KOFI MFRAMA Opinions Editor

HE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT

of Education rejected the inclusion of Advanced Placement African American History in the state’s curriculum, citing the course is “inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value” in a letter to the College Board sent on Jan. 12. Florida Gov. Ron Desantis said the course is too “woke” and pushes a liberal agenda, while other officials take issue with the course’s inclusion of Black Lives Matter, Black feminism and the reparations movement.

As a result, the College Board released a revised version of the course

on Feb. 1, removing most of the controversial subject matter and introducing “Black conservatism.” Though the College Board denies Florida being the reason for the changes, it’s not hard to see the state’s aversions to the course acting as an incentive to its change.

This is no isolated incident. Florida’s rejection of the original AP African American History course is just another example of the ongoing trend of removing racially sensitive topics from American public education.

The fanfare surrounding critical race theory, or CRT, served as a main catalyst for this dangerous trend of disinformation. CRT is a graduate-level, academic concept that examines systemic and institutional racism. Many conservatives

were led to believe this course was being taught in K-12 schools when it was not.

This discourse surrounding CRT began after the summer 2020 and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Many of its critics say CRT only widens the racial divide in America and teaches white people to hate themselves.

It’s not only CRT that conservatives dislike; these people have an aversion to any discussion of race in schools. Anything that forces people to look at America through a critical lens, to acknowledge this country’s evil history of racism or to think introspectively about how one can be complicit in the oppression of others is said to have no educational value.

This way of thinking only leads to our detriment.

Demonstrations like this show us the power of knowledge and the limitless capabilities of a community that not only acknowledges the past, but has a deep understanding of how it impacts the present.

Once I left high school and began to learn more about the things I was taught regarding American history, I quickly realized most of the things I learned were half truths or outright lies. Facts were purposefully left out and certain things as to not make America the villain.

If the things I learned in school weren’t even fact, I can only imagine the kinds of things being taught now, given the copious restrictions on racial or otherwise divisive topics.

School is supposed to be a place where we learn. What good is it if we are too afraid to teach our children about the uncomfortable nature of our past?

“To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.”

— James Baldwin

Black figures should be recognized all year long

Rejection of AP African American History shows scary trend in American public education

Illustration by Liv Weatherford

Illustration by Tess Wladar

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ABOUT THE CT

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The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Kofi Mframa, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The CT staff.

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TYPEFACES

All of the typefaces used in this issue were created by Black typographers. The typefaces are Freight and Birra designed by Darden Studio. The Redaction type was commissioned for Titus Kaphar and Reginald Dwayne Betts’ in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art.

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