The Commonwealth Times; May 5, 2021 by VCU Student Media Center

COMMONWEALTHTIMES.ORG @theCT

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY 2019, 2020 Newspaper Pacemaker Winner

VOL. 62, NO. 27 MAY 5, 2021

RELAXING RESTRICTIONS Taylor Maloney. Photo by Enza Marcy

SGA president’s past tweets trigger discourse, VCU response KATHARINE DEROSA News Editor

Students play spikeball in Monroe Park as the sun sets on April 27. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore

What new COVID-19 updates could mean for Virginians this summer

NATALIE BARR Contributing Writer

ULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE no longer need to wear masks outdoors, except in some crowded venues, according to a release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 27. On the state level, Gov. Ralph Northam announced in an April 22 press release that Virginians will see more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions beginning May 15. “I am optimistic that we will be able to take more steps in June,” Northam said in a COVID-19 update video posted to his YouTube channel. Virginia’s new guidelines will allow indoor gatherings of 100 people and outdoor gatherings of 250 people, according to Northam’s release. Indoor entertainment venues will be permitted to increase capacity to 1,000 people, and attendees at outdoor venues will not be limited. Indoor recreational sporting events can operate at 250 spectators and 1,000 spectators for outdoor sporting events. Restaurants will be able to serve alcohol after

midnight and will not be forced to close receive the shot. Some in different age between midnight and 5:00 a.m. as previ- and risk groups were eligible before ously enforced. others, Long said. All Virginians, 16 years and older, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As of April 28, Long said 43.5% of Virginia’s population has been vaccinated with at least one dose, and 29.4% of the I’m not sure that I’m population has been fully vaccinated. “Every adult will have had the opportuready to fully let myself nity to get the vaccine by the end of May,” get comfortable like I Long said. “It’s a question of whether or not was before.” everyone chooses to get the vaccine.” Several challenges have impacted the Adebayo Ogungbade, vaccine rollout in Virginia, including a senior interdisciplinary national shortage of vaccine supply early studies student on, but the distribution process is growing easier as more vaccines become available, Cat Long, a spokesperson for Richmond Long said. Vaccine hesitancy is a challenge and Henrico Health Districts, said the dis- Virginia is still facing as some are afraid to tricts are in agreement with updated CDC receive a vaccine or unsure how to gain acmasking guidelines. If social distancing can- cess to vaccine appointments and locations, not be maintained at outdoor events, such Long said. as a sporting event or outdoor festival, a mask should be worn, Long said. As Virginia rolled out the vaccination process, not everyone was eligible to See COVID-19 on page 2

Student Government Association President Taylor Maloney received backlash on Twitter after an article published in The Post Millennial, a conservative Canadian media outlet, outlined some of Maloney’s past tweets on police and protests. The April 27 article in The Post Millennial, written by Andy Ngo and Mia Cathell, referred to previous tweets by Maloney as “violent extremist” and “racist.” Maloney was elected as president of VCU’s Student Government Association last spring. They also serve on the Virginia Student Power Association. Maloney previously advocated for police abolition on campus and in Richmond and is the first openly transgender and nonbinary student government president at a public university, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. In a written statement to The Commonwealth Times, Maloney stated the Twitter account in question was never linked to their role as SGA president. They also accused various news outlets of purposefully misgendering them. The Post Millennial refers to Maloney as “she” instead of “they” on multiple occasions. “It ’s sick to imply that anything I say on my personal account would actually provoke violence,” Maloney stated. The tweets The Post Millennial referred to included “ur reminder to advocate for the k*lling of k*ps,” and “i hate white people so much it’s not even funny.” See MALONEY on page 3

The CT seniors say farewell

See FAREWELL on page 10

Illustration by Marisa Stratton

2 The Commonwealth Times

Stories of the week

national: President Joe Biden develops plans for new local vaccination events to achieve 70% partial vaccination by July 4. international: Pfizer will seek clearance for vaccination of children between the ages of 2 and 11 on Sep. 3. COVID-19

COVID-19 by county

o a e

People sit on the rocks at Belle Isle in Richmond, located two miles from campus. Photo by Jay Stonefield

What new COVID-19 updates could mean for Virginians this summer

Continued from front page As of February, more than half of adults in the U.S. said they planned on getting the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Pew Research Center. Men are more likely to want to receive the vaccine than women, and Democrats are more likely to get vaccinated than Republicans. Vaccine access for children ages 1215 remains a challenge, according to Long. Trials by the Food and Drug Administration are currently underway on children aged 12-15, and once the vaccine is approved, more Virginians will be vaccinated, Long said. “Seventy-five percent of Virginia’s population is the loose goal to achieve herd immunity,” Long said. “It is hard to know an exact date, but with more people being vaccinated, it will help.” VDH created a dashboard to inform residents on the COVID-19 variants identified in Virginia. U.K. variant B.1.17, South Africa variant B.1.351, Brazil variant P.1, and two California variants, B.1.427 and

B.1.429, have all been found in Virginia. Evidence shows COVID-19 vaccines offer varying levels of protection against the variants, but more research needs to be done, Long stated in an email. There is a possibility for a booster vaccine to provide protection against variants, according to Long. “Vaccines are the best protection we have available, and the best tool for ending the pandemic,” Long stated. As the semester comes to a close, exiting campus will look different than the traditional move out, said Carolyn Conlon, VCU’s director of communications, in an email. Students can check out of dorms anytime before their housing contract ends, Conlon stated. Students requiring assistance with moving out can sign up for a two-hour time slot and a maximum of two guests to assist them. All residents and guests will be expected to follow COVID-19 safety measures, such as mask wearing and social distancing, Conlon stated. More than 2,200 single or first doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were provided to students, Conlon stated. VCU is currently

Students play spikeball and picnic in Monroe Park on April 27. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore

performing non-mandatory exit testing for students leaving campus, but the university encourages all students to participate. Students interested in getting tested for COVID-19 before leaving campus can sign up on VCU’s One VCU: Better Together website. Entry testing for fall 2021 remains undecided, she stated. “We are still in the early stages of understanding vaccination rates among all students, which will inform decisions for testing residential students this fall,” Conlon stated. Adebayo Ogungbade, a senior interdisciplinary studies student, is relieved his COVID-19 vaccinations are completed. Even though Ogungbade is vaccinated and restrictions are being lifted in Virginia, he has no plan to change his COVID-19 habits of hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing. Ogungbade says he wants to wait for COVID-19 cases to go down across the country before giving up his mask and hand sanitizer. “I’m not sure that I’m ready to fully let myself get comfortable like I was before,” Ogungbade said.

Alexandria Amelia County Bristol Buena Vista Charlottesville Chesapeake Colonial Heights Covington Danville Emporia Fairfax County Falls Church Franklin Fredericksburg Galax Hampton Harrisonburg Hopewell Lexington Lynchburg Manassas Manassas Park Martinsville Newport News Norfolk Norton Petersburg Poquoson Portsmouth Radford Richmond Roanoke Salem Staunton Suffolk Virginia Beach Waynesboro Williamsburg Winchester

11,683 881 1,467 897 4,020 20,689 1,684 591 4,356 669 75,994 424 4,003 2,098 1,156 10,282 6,462 2,561 1,172 7,634 1,214 1,214 1,583 13,806 17,421 281 3,815 871 8,943 2,117 16,849 8,147 2,138 2,505 7,837 35,510 2,350 758 2,827

Source: USAFacts.org Infographic by Andy Caress

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was paused by the FDA on April 13, when six cases of rare blood clots were found in women after receiving the vaccine. VCU students who originally signed up to receive the vaccine during the FDA pause were able to receive a vaccine from a different manufacturer and asked to schedule a second dose appointment, Conlon stated. The FDA lifted the pause for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 23. Students and employees wishing to receive additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit the vaccine section of VCU’s website, Conlon stated.

Wed. May 5, 2021 3

SAHARA SRIRAMAN Staff Writer The deaths of freshman Adam Oakes on Feb. 26 and junior Cody Woodson on April 5 left an impact on VCU students. Some say these tragedies harmed their mental well-being. Charlie Dil, a computer science sophomore, said they knew Woodson personally. They were teaching assistants for a computer systems class, and he was a TA for one of their freshman classes. Dil said they felt “frozen” after Woodson’s death and that they’re now frustrated that everyone seems to have moved on. They felt VCU did not do enough to prevent the deaths of Oakes and Woodson. “There was a shooting less than 24 hours before then, so it really feels like it’s on VCU,” Dil said. On April 4, a 17-year-old was shot on the 400 block of Gilmer Street, where Woodson was shot 26 hours later, according to the Richmond Police Department. Both investigations are ongoing and RPD is looking into if the shootings were connected. Dil said both student deaths were difficult to deal with and made them feel overwhelmed. “Even if you don’t know somebody, having a death of someone who’s so close in age to you and at school with you is just really heavy,” Dil said. Attending regular virtual sessions with VCU’s counseling services helps Dil cope with recent tragedies, they said. “It’s helped me definitely move past the being frozen and just being able to move on

and still do other things,” Dil said. Charles Klink, the senior vice provost for VCU Student Affairs, stated in an email that VCU’s process to support the families of Oakes and Woodson includes contact through the Dean of Students office. “Information about individual counseling or counseling for groups of individuals is shared with those who have been impacted and we also push out this information to the general university community,” Klink stated. Jihad Aziz, the director of VCU’s University Counseling Services, said it’s common for some college students to become depressed and anxious. He said this has become worse over the past year due to the pandemic. “Anxiety has really sort of skyrocketed during this period of the pandemic as well, as well as people are feeling isolated and lonely,” Aziz said. Students mainly approach VCU’s counseling services about anxiety and depression, according to Aziz. Counselors haven’t seen an increase in student visits since the deaths of Oakes and Woodson, he said. He said, however, that students might not seek mental health treatment if they are mourning a death or if it provokes them to reflect on the past death of a loved one. “It’s not necessarily a mental health issue if people are grieving, per se, so they may

VCU’s counseling services, she plans to in the future to cope with these tragedies. “I’m very paranoid to walk alone at night now,” Siddiqui said. Illustration by Lauren Johnson Computer science senior Jeremy Nguyen said Woodson was a TA for his programming class this year. Nguyen said the week after Woodson’s death was difficult because he was thinkseek services or assistance elsewhere and not ing about him. the counseling center,” Aziz said. “To me, it was an injustice that he moved VCU’s Health Promotion and Well-Be- through his life doing everything right, he ing Center, also known as The Well, pro- worked hard and was really nice, but he vides mental health tips on its website for was taken away by the hands of a stranger,” students along with appointments with Nguyen said. mental health professionals. Nguyen said after the two deaths, he was The Well’s website also includes a list of reevaluating the safety of living in Richstudent resources, including videos, apps mond after graduation, especially because and articles, to assist students with a variety there were 11 shootings the week of Woodof personal issues such as sleep, stress and son’s shooting, according to RPD. mental health. Spokespeople at The Well “It affected my perception of Richmond declined to comment on mental health sur- and how unfair life can be because you can rounding student deaths. just go at any moment,” Nguyen said. VCU students who didn’t know Oakes The College of Engineering organized or Woodson personally have also been af- the Cody Woodson Computer Science fected by these nearby tragedies. Scholarship in honor of Woodson, which Muniza Siddiqui, a junior graphic design will be awarded to engineering students major, said she was around Gilmer Street, who demonstrate his commitment to eduwhere Woodson was shot, about 15 minutes cation and dedication to supporting others. before the VCU alert went out. Woodson always surpassed expectations “He was just walking outside, taking out by mentoring, supporting and encouraging trash and then he got shot, and that could others, Barbara Boyan, the dean of VCU’s happen to any one of us,” Siddiqui said. College of Engineering stated in an email. Siddiqui is a part of the Alpha Xi Delta The College of Engineering’s scholarship sorority and said that as someone in a Greek in honor of Woodson will be funded by life organization, Oakes’ death was jarring. donations, which can be made through the “I just kind of feel kind of at fault a little college’s website. bit because things could’ve probably been “Cody Woodson was an exemplary studone a lot differently way earlier and such a dent,” Boyan stated. “Not only did he excel bad tragedy happened,” Siddiqui said. as a scholar, but most importantly, he exShe said although she hasn’t utilized celled as a leader.”

to advocate violence against cops in response to police killings of Black Americans,” Rodriguez Espinoza stated. “On Tuesday, a far-right writer and activist … doxed them, resulting in hundreds of insults and threats.” Ngo replied to the tweet, calling Rodriguez Espinoza “unethical” and a “liar.” Various Twitter accounts have reacted to both Ngo and Rodriguez Espinoza’s articles. One account, titled AntifaWatch, referred to Maloney as a “vile extremist.” Another account tweeted Maloney “[needs] to be harassed.” VCU officials released a statement about Maloney’s tweets on Friday. VCU president Michael Rao, the rector and vice rector of the university condemned calls for violence and “hateful” speech. “These abhorrent posts do not reflect who we are at VCU,” Rao stated. The newly established branch of United Campus Workers of Virginia at VCU released a statement criticizing Rao’s condemnation of Maloney’s tweets. They called for Rao to rescind the statement. “President Rao’s words tacitly affirmed the ongoing attacks targeting Maloney online, which have been led by rightwing media outlets and escalated by white

supremacists,” UCWV stated. “Endangering a student leader in this manner is inexcusable in university governance.” Student Power at VCU posted a statement to Instagram in support of Maloney’s tweets. The group spoke against VCU for “perpetuating white supremacy” while touting the slogan of “diversity, equity and inclusion.” “We support and stand in solidarity with T [Maloney] and call for other VCU and Community Organizations to do the same,” the post stated. Maloney was arrested for trespassing near Monroe Park on July 26. The Richmond Police Department stated those arrested for trespassing were in the park after 10 p.m., when city parks are “off-limits.” “We recognize that VCU also has a history of silencing and condemning student organizers and activists,” Student Power stated. College Republicans of VCU created a Twitter account and posted a statement regarding Maloney’s tweets to the organization’s social media platforms, including Instagram. The group acknowledged Maloney’s right to free speech but called Maloney’s views “deplorable” and for Maloney’s

‘IT WAS AN INJUSTICE’: INJUSTICE’: VCU students assess mental health impact after student deaths

MALONEY

SGA president’s past tweets trigger discourse, VCU response Continued from front page “Police choose to be police, I do not choose to be black,” Maloney stated. “This false equivalency of oppression against police is not only elementary, but dangerous.” Ngo is the editor of The Post Millennial and has written for The Washington Times and the New York Post. All three are widely regarded as right-wing outlets. He recently published a book called “Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy.” In the article, Ngo and Cathell referred to Maloney as a “far-left extremist” and a “communist activist.” Virginia Public Media reported on Maloney being harassed online, and reporter Alan Rodriguez Espinoza tweeted the article. “A 20 y/o VCU student took to Twitter

removal from office. The student organization spoke against Maloney’s tweets stating they were violent and racist. “It is a shame that VCU, a school that prides itself on being an institution that promotes equality, inclusion, and diversity would allow an individual who makes such derogatory statements to hold any sort of position of leadership at this school,” College Republicans stated in the release. College Republicans defended police officers for “risking their lives everyday.” “We understand that some members of law enforcement are bad, but that does not mean all police officers should be hunted,” College Republicans of VCU stated in the release. The organization stated that Maloney’s tweet about hating white people alienated the majority of the VCU student population. “The College Republicans of VCU have and always will condemn any forms of racist rhetoric,” the group stated in the release. Some written statements were edited for clarity.

4 The Commonwealth Times

Community activists remember Marcus-David Peters near three-year shooting death anniversary SELNA SHI Contributing Writer Nearly three years after a Richmond police officer fatally shot VCU alumnus and high school teacher Marcus-David Peters, a local activist group honors him in a space around the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. “Facilitating the community space is something that we have made our main initiative,” stated Lawrence West, the founder of Black Lives Matter RVA in an Instagram direct message. The space was unofficially named Marcus-David Peters Circle by protesters in late June. Black Lives Matter advocates transformed the space into a recreational area with community gardens. “The space is the venue where we honor those who have died in senseless violence because of systemic oppression,” West said. Peters taught biology at Essex High School northwest of Richmond. His family says he was experiencing a mental health crisis while driving down Interstate 95. Peters was naked and unarmed when Officer Michael Nyantakyi encountered him, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin’s report. Nyantakyi tased Peters to “no effect,” and an autopsy report revealed Peters was shot three times. The case of Peters’ death was reviewed by former Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring, who determined the shooting was justified. Peters’ family and protesters urged McEachin to reopen the case as part of the organization known as Justice and Reformation.

McEachin reopened the case after reviewing her predecessor’s report and concluded the shooting was justified. Princess Blanding, Peters’ sister and Virginia’s gubernatorial candidate, stated that her brother “needed help, not death” while experiencing his crisis. Blanding stated she is not available for press interviews due to campaigning for the gubernatorial election. On Jan. 25, the Virginia Department of General Services erected a fence around the circle. People are no longer allowed to enter the space. The community garden is still at Marcus-David Peters Circle, however, the basketball hoops have been taken down. A gardener who tends the circle, who goes by Bee, has not been able to enter the space to tend the plants and watches overgrown weeds take over the gardens.

“They said the fences were put up in preparation of removing the statue, but they have yet taken it down because they keep postponing it,” Bee said. The Virginia Department of General Services has no say in when the statue will be removed, stated Dena Potter, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of

General Services, in an email. Potter said the fence was put up in preparation for the removal of the statue. The Virginia Department of General Services is awaiting legal resolutions from the Circuit Court of Virginia before removing the statue. Judge W. Reilly Marchant issued a ruling in October that the statue could come down, but two Monument Avenue residents filed appeals on Feb. 12. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia called for the fences to be taken down in a letter, claiming that First Amendment rights have been violated as the space was a place for “gatherings, demonstrations and mutual aid sits.” “Marcus is a reminder that many people still need mental health support and that our work here is not finished yet,” Bee said. Gov. Ralph Northam signed the “Marcus Alert” bill in November of 2020, which established a statewide mental health response system. The bill will require law enforcement to work with mental health service providers when responding to individuals experiencing mental health episodes. The Marcus Alert will roll out in A portrait of Marcus-David Peters sits in front of the Robert E. Lee Monument. Photos by Andrew Ringle all Virginia localities startand Enza Marcy ing July 1.

Freshmen look back at year marked by COVID-19 ANYA SCZERZENIE Contributing Writer First-year student Aanchal Dubey wasn’t expecting her introduction to college life to go very well due to the COVID-19 pandemic isolating her from fellow students. But she says it went better than expected. “I expected it to be a lot worse during COVID,” Dubey said. “But I made a lot of good friends here during my first year.” VCU’s class of 2024 entered college as COVID-19 cases among college students were rising. VCU has reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases among students and employees as of May 4, according to the university’s fall and spring COVID-19 dashboards. Dubey, who is undecided but on a predental track, said she regrets that she wasn’t able to make more friends. “I wanted to meet a lot more people, especially in informal settings,” Dubey said. “It’s really hard to meet people who don’t live in your dorm, especially in the colder months, because you can’t go outside.” Dayna Balough, a graphic design major, said she struggled the most with asynchronous online classes, though she says none of her classes were overly difficult. Attending classes while sitting outside made her feel better, she said. “I feel that if asynchronous classes hadn’t happened, I would’ve had a better experience,” Balough said. “In person is just so much better than online.” Balough said it was difficult to meet people in her residence hall, Cary and

Belvidere, because most people stayed in “I learned to organize myself better,” their own apartments. Parvathaneni said. “That’s the main thing.” Many on-campus students lived in resiFreshman public relations major Jackdence halls, where COVID-19 restrictions son Amirshahi took all his classes online limited the amount of guests a student could this semester but has lived on campus this have in their dorms. Stusemester. He lives in GRC dents could host one guest and said the campus enviwho lived in the same resironment helps him be more dence hall and could not inproductive than he could be vite outside guests. Students at home. Amirshahi’s resialso had to socially distance, dence hall is located across wear a face mask in common the street from Monroe areas and clean shared spaces Park, where he goes to sobefore and after use. cialize with friends. Freshman Veda Par“I’ve been able to see a vathaneni said she was lot of my friends, and go happy to be on campus this outside and hang out mainsemester. Though she made ly, because they are strict a lot of friends and found about how many people VCU a welcoming enviyou can have in the dorms,” Jackson Amirshahi. ronment, she said she wishAmirshahi said. “It’s been Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore es she could have gone out kind of a learning expemore and eaten at restaurience, what you can do rants in the city. and not do.” Parvathaneni lives in Some freshmen chose Gladding Residence Center, to stay at home for the a popular freshman dorm loacademic year since many cated next to Monroe Park. classes remained online “I was surprised by how even after the universiindependent it was,” said ty opened some in-perParvathaneni. “It was like an son options on March 4. apartment, almost, always The online modality made being by yourself.” it possible for many stuParvathaneni said she dents to attend all of their had one in-person class last courses remotely. semester, but the rest were Freshman criminal jusVeda Parvathaneni. online. The biology major tice major William Clark’s Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore said she doesn’t find online family lives 20 minutes away classes interesting. Parvathaneni said it’s from VCU’s campus. Instead of dealing difficult for her to stay engaged but began with the COVID-19 restrictions and cost talking in the Zoom chat during classes to of living in on-campus housing, he decidconnect with classmates. ed to stay home for the semester. However,

Clark still travels to campus to do work in academic buildings. He had one in-person class this semester. “I would say it’s pretty convenient because if something ever came up, my family’s right there,” Clark said. Clark said because he wasn’t on campus often, he never learned how to use library resources, such as the printers. He prefers to work in the less-crowded Academic Learning Commons. “It has been difficult,” Clark said. “It’s mainly about finding the right space to work in, and the right resources.” Clark said his family has been supportive of his decision to live at home for now. “They know that before the end of my four years of college, I’m going to try moving out into an apartment,” Clark said. “But at the moment, they’re fine with what we’re doing.” According to VCU’s website, the fall 2021 semester will have a “substantially higher percentage of in-person classes” than spring 2021 but will still have some hybrid and online classes. Campus facilities such as libraries, the University Student Commons and VCU dining facilities will open with more capacity.

CORRECTION Kristin Reed’s name was misspelled in a story in last week’s issue. The full version of the story is available online at commonwealthtimes.org.

Wed. May 5, 2021 5

Stat of the week

Men’s tennis will make its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, while women’s tennis will make its third-straight appearance.

PROJECTING MEN’S BASKETBALL’S STARTING FIVE, KEY CONTRIBUTORS NOAH FLEISCHMAN Sports Editor After the departure of sophomore guard and A-10 Player of the Year Bones Hyland to the NBA draft, men’s basketball will have a slightly different look on the court. Hyland, a Wilmington, Delaware, native who logged 50 assists and averaged 19.5 points this past season, declared for the NBA draft on April 17. Coach Mike Rhoades added five players to the roster for the 2020-21 season: junior guard Marcus Tsohonis, senior forward Jimmy Nichols Jr., incoming freshman guard Jayden Nunn and incoming freshmen forwards Jalen DeLoach and Nick Kern. Here’s what the starting lineup and key contributors could look like on opening night at the Stuart C. Siegel Center in the upcoming season. PROJECTED STARTING FIVE ACE BALDWIN SOPHOMORE POINT GUARD Baldwin started all 26 games this season for the black and gold, averaging 6.7 points. The Baltimore, Maryland, native logged 114 assists and committed just 63 turnovers. After posting some of the top numbers in the A-10 in assists, Baldwin was named to the A-10 All-Rookie team.

“When you’re a college point guard and you play college basketball, the No. 1 thing is winning,” coach Mike Rhoades said in a February press conference. “For a freshman and the way he’s played this year, we wouldn’t be where we are at if it wasn’t for him.” Baldwin should start again at point guard for the second-straight season, this time without Hyland, who Baldwin called his “brother.” MARCUS TSOHONIS JUNIOR SHOOTING GUARD Tsohonis, a transfer from Washington, is slated to replace Hyland in the Rams’ starting lineup. The Portland, Oregon, native played in 23 games this season with the Huskies, starting in four of them. He averaged a career-best 10.4 points, logging 10 double-figure games. Tsohonis recorded a career-high 29 points against Washington State on Feb. 15, including a game-winning shot. Tsohonis recorded 32 turnovers and 26 assists with shooting percentages of 37% from three and 44% from the field total.

Tsohonis was a standout player at Jefferson High School in Portland, logging 24.1 points and 7.4 assists during his junior season en route to being named the state Player of the Year. He led the team to a No. 1 ranking the same year. VINCE WILLIAMS SENIOR GUARD/FORWARD Williams seems to have mastered the art of taking charges during games, swinging momentum to the Rams. The Toledo, Ohio, native started the final 22 of the Rams’ 26 games this season. He averaged 10.6 points, the second-most on the roster behind Hyland, shooting 41% from beyond the arc. Williams added 58 assists for the black and gold and averaged 5.2 rebounds. He was out due to back spasms in the A-10 semifinal but returned for the championship game in Dayton, Ohio, to score 12 points against St. Bonaventure. LEVI STOCKARD III GRADUATE STUDENT FORWARD Stockard will return to the VCU roster after taking advantage of the NCAA’s added year of eligibility for seniors. Senior forward Corey Doulgas did not use his extra year and will not return to the team for the 2021-22 season. Stockard, a Kansas State transfer, started all 26 games this season, averaging 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds for the black and gold. He dropped a season-high 15 points in the Rams’ road win over Rhode Island on Feb. 3 and logged a season-high seven rebounds twice during the season. HASON WARD JUNIOR FORWARD Ward, a player who broke into the black and gold’s starting lineup 16 games into the season, should stay there for the 2021-22 season. The St. Thomas, Barbados, native logged five double-figure games, including a season-high 13 points against La Salle on Jan. 30. Ward averaged 6.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, anchoring the paint for the Rams. He recorded three games with 10 rebounds, including his first-career double-double against the Explorers. KEY CONTRIBUTORS JAMIR WATKINS SOPHOMORE FORWARD

Photo Illustration by Jayce Nguyen Photos by Enza Marcy and Megan Lee

Watkins had a breakout freshman season with the Rams, averaging 7.2 points off the bench. He had seven games

with double-figures in points, six of them in A-10 play. The Trenton, New Jersey, native logged a career-high 15 points against Western Carolina on Dec. 15. He also averaged 2.6 rebounds, while recording 18 assists. JIMMY NICHOLS JR. SENIOR FORWARD As one of five newcomers to the Rams roster for the 2021-22 season, Nichols could play a role in the paint for the black and gold. The Providence transfer averaged 6.1 points and 0.7 assists while playing in 16 games before injury shut him down to end the season with the Friars. Nichols shot a 40% clip from three, while shooting 54% from the field total. Nichols battled injury during his sophomore season as well, missing 25 games with Providence. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native was initially recruited out of high school by Rhoades and his staff, but he chose Providence. Now as a transfer to VCU, he has the opportunity to contribute key bench minutes and possibly break into the starting five.

6 The Commonwealth Times

Star runner arrives at finish line of VCU career YANNI KOUIROUKIDIS Contributing Writer When graduate student Ian Davis started running for the VCU track team in 2017, he wanted everything fast. He said he’s since learned to slow things down off the track. “I think I gained a lot of patience,” Davis said. “It’s something you have to learn in any atmosphere when you’re working with other people. Just learning not to take anything too personally.” Before coming to VCU, Davis ran at the highly-touted Our Lady of Good Counsel High School with notable alumni such as Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Washington Football Team cornerback Kendall Fuller. Davis started running track at 12 years old after he stopped playing football. While Davis said football was his first love, the atmosphere and community around track and field convinced him to make the switch. “I love the people surrounding track and field,” Davis said. “To me, it’s so much different than any other sport. Even though it’s super competitive, you never see any bad blood between competitors. We’re all a whole community and a big family.” Since coming to VCU’s program in 2017, Davis has won five A-10 championships, including breaking two records in the 2021 A-10 championships. At Sunday’s A-10 championships, Davis broke his own record in the 110-meter hurdles, winning the gold medal and finishing in 13.98 seconds. Davis also finished second in the 400-meter hurdles, breaking a school

record previously held by Emmanuel Waller in 2019 by posting a time of 51.25 seconds. “Going sub-14 in the 110m hurdles, breaking the school record in 400 hurdles, and finally winning gold in the 4x1 I feel like there was just no better way to go out of the Atlantic-10,” Davis said. Davis said he hasn’t always been confident in his abilities, despite showing success in his meets. He said it took a little leap of hope in the beginning of his career that sparked his success with the black and gold. “His sophomore year, he went from being a kid to a man and he’s never looked back,” said assistant coach Thomas Sage, who focuses on hurdling. “His freshman year, I stuck him in the 400-meter hurdles and he ran 58 seconds, and to see him go to 51.25 seconds in his fifth year is just kind of mind-boggling.” Davis said that his bond with Sage reaches beyond just the sport of track and field. Davis said that he attributes his success to coach Sage and that he wouldn’t be where he is today without his mentoring. “He’s someone who has never steered me wrong, not in just track and field but in life,” Davis said. “Coach Sage is like a lifelong friend, not just my coach or my mentor, but definitely a friend.” Another part of Davis’ track family is his hurdles teammate, junior Sebastian Evans. While competing together, Evans said he learned a lot from his senior running mate. “He’s honestly the best teammate I have ever had the pleasure being part of a sports team with,” Evans said. “The biggest thing I’ve learned from him is … fearlessness.

GAME RESULTS

APRIL 30

FIELD HOCKEY - VS. BUCKNELL LOST 2-1 (OT) NCAA tournament first round

BASEBALL - VS. GEORGE MASON

WIN 9-2 Tyler Locklear: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

MAY 1 Graduate student Ian Davis competes at the 2021 Atlantic 10 championships. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics He attacks everything from like meets to workouts and even stuff we don’t want to do — he just attacks.” For his pre-meet process, Davis said he’s relaxed on the team bus, listening to music and joking around with teammates. Once he steps foot onto the track — he said it’s all business. “I’ll definitely listen to music on the bus ride and I gotta play Young Thug because he’s my favorite artist to get hype to,” Davis said. “Once I get off the bus it’s complete silence. Most of the time as soon as I get off, I’m usually off on my own, just thinking about my race and what my coaches have been telling me.” While Davis’ career at VCU is coming to a close, his legacy is one that has already made a stamp on the history of the track and field program. “Ian Davis is the best there ever was,” Evans said. “He deserves it.”

Field hockey plans to carry successful season’s momentum into fall

KAITLYN FULMORE Contributing Writer

Despite the loss, the team is still satisfied with how the season went — During preseason rankespecially with a new A-10 ings and predictions in champion title. February, VCU field hock“I’m really proud of the ey wasn’t on the forefront girls,” associate head coach of many minds. Kayla May said. “I’m glad “We’ve always been the they were able to witness underdog until this season,” and feel the reward of all said head coach Stacey the hard work they put in Bean. “And even then when since August.” we got to the A-10 tourAlong with their sucnament, I felt like we were cessful season, the Rams considered the underdog for also got more recognition in some reason.” the A-10 with multiple playThis spring, the Rams had ers winning awards: Wetzel a historic season. The team was named A-10 Defensive had an undefeated record, Player of the Year and freshwon the Atlantic 10 tour- Left: Senior midfielder Svea Sturm runs during the A-10 semifinal against man midfielder Bridget Mcnament championship and Richmond on April 23. Right: Freshman forward Georgia Carr-Brown Cormick was named A-10 competed in their first-ever battles for the ball at Cary Street Field on April 23. Photos by Jay Stonefield Rookie of the Year. NCAA tournament game. “It was nice for us as a Out of all of the team’s accomplishments, The Rams lost 2-1 against Bucknell in staff to see that recognition,” said Bean, who junior back Janne Wetzel said the proud- double overtime. Junior back Litiana Field was named A-10 Coach of the Year. est moment of the season was winning scored the lone goal off a penalty corner The team has a quick turnaround with the A-10 championship. in the first half. their next season starting this fall. The “Our goal was to obviously win A-10s “I’m a big believer of luck,” Wetzel said. coaches plan to use the success of this past and we did that coming in as an underdog,” “The ball was on the goal line like five times season to motivate players. Wetzel said. “It was just like ‘OK, we literally and we just did not get it in the cage. I think “We’re using this as fuel,” May said. “I’m just showed everyone that we can do this.’” we just missed a necessary piece of luck that already counting down the days — about 14 The Rams went from competing at day that we had this season.” and a half weeks until preseason.” Richmond’s Cary Street Field to UniverDespite VCU outshooting the oppoBean and her team are hopeful for the sity Park’s Field Hockey Complex, playing nent 17-7, the Bisons got the deciding goal return of a more regular season in the fall against Bucknell in the NCAA tournament on a penalty corner in the last 20 seconds with more opponents in conference games. on April 30. of the game. “I have a really good feeling for next sea“I think the whole atmosphere was just “Sometimes in this sport you can out- son,” Wetzel said. “I think we’re on a roll different,” Wetzel said. “Being at Penn stat a team, you can outshoot a team, you right now. As long as everyone puts their State, a huge university, knowing that you’re can do a lot of things right and still lose,” work in the same way they did this year, we playing against the best 12 teams of the Bean said. “That’s the beauty of sport. That’s have a good chance to be at the championcountry was just a different feeling than all why we all love to compete — no one game ships next year again.” the games we had before.” is like another game.”

MEN’S TENNIS - VS. DAVIDSON WIN 4-0 A-10 semifinal

BASEBALL - VS. GEORGE MASON

WIN 3-1 Connor Hujsak: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI

WOMEN’S TENNIS - VS. RICHMOND WIN 4-0 A-10 Championship

BASEBALL - VS. GEORGE MASON

WIN 8-1 Tyler Locklear: 2-for-4, 3 RBI

MAY 2 GOLF

3RD OF 10 A-10 Championship

BASEBALL - VS. GEORGE MASON

WIN 11-2 Hogan Brown: 2-for-3, 4 RBI

MEN’S TENNIS - VS. RICHMOND WIN 4-0 A-10 Championship

MAY 4 BASEBALL - AT UVA

WIN 7-5 Liam Hibbits: 1-for-5, 3 RBI

Wed. May 5, 2021 7

On this day

In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to travel to space.

Museum attendees Emma Peircy and Bailey Crawford play the emotion recognition game in the Mental Health: Mind Matters exhibit. Photo by Kaitlyn Fulmore

Exhibition simulates mental health disorders to raise awareness

GRACE MCOMBER Contributing Writer IN THE MIDDLE OF A DARK ROOM SITS a large white machine with rotating teeth and small slips of paper next to it. Above it, a sign directs the reader to write a “worry” on the slip and place it into the machine before turning the lever and shredding the paper. The station was created to resemble feelings of anxiety, and the process of shredding the worry represents anxiety leaving the participant. The “worry shredder” is one of many interactive stations in the Mental Health: Mind Matters exhibition, located in the Science Museum of Virginia. “It’s always cool to learn what’s going through someone’s mind,” said Hasun Rogers, an attendee who brought his 8-year-old son, Hayden, to the exhibition. “Just kind of how people who have those issues, how they see things. So I think he learned a little bit from it.” The exhibition, located in the Anna L. and T. Fleetwood Garner Gallery, features a number of interactive stations exploring the effects of living with mental illness and the importance of mental

health. These include a stress-relieving dance room, an interactive mental health quiz and an animatronic scene about living with depression. “I think a lot of people don’t understand that people that have mental health issues also have feelings,” Rogers said. “Like with the depression one, I want him [Hayden] to understand like ‘hey, this is what people go through.’” The exhibition opened on Feb. 6 and will run until Aug. 29. It was originally created by the Science Museum of Minnesota, a past collaborator of the museum. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, one of the exhibition’s goals is to destigmatize the conversation surrounding mental health and encourage guests to continue the conversation even after they leave the museum. “Talking about mental illnesses is associated with a lot of negativity,” museum spokesperson Jennifer Guild said. “You know, it’s ‘you’re weak, you’re broken, you’re

messed up,’ just all of these negative things. So just having the conversation is step one in kind of dispelling some of that stigma that comes with a topic like mental health.”

“I think a lot of people don’t understand that people that have mental health issues also have feelings.” Hasun Rogers, museum attendee To simulate the experiences of those living with mental illnesses, the exhibition utilizes a number of different technologies, including interactive touch-screens and video testimonials. It also has more unique features, like a mirror that alters in shape to simulate body dysmorphia, and noise-distorting headphones that mimic symptoms of psychosis. “This exhibition is not an exhibition just for people who have been diagnosed with a

mental illness,” Guild said. “This exhibition is a reminder that it is important to factor in everyone’s relationship with mental health as it applies to our overall wellness. That is a critical, important part of the big picture.” Since its opening, the exhibition has been extremely popular with guests of all ages, despite the more serious nature of the topic, Guild said. “It’s a little bit of a departure in some of the exhibits that we have had in that space in recent history,” Guild said. “But it’s a great example of people having an entertaining and enjoyable experience and giving them that kind of food for thought to continue throughout their day, their week, their month.” Guild said that while the pandemic has emphasized the importance of providing mental health support during times of stress, the topic of mental health is always relevant. “This exhibit is timely and topical, completely unrelated to the pandemic,” Guild said. “But science does tell us that some of the mental health challenges have absolutely been exacerbated because of the isolation and stress and anxiety that the pandemic brought on.” In addition to the interactive activities, resources are provided throughout the exhibit, such as mental health care groups. The museum also brings in mental health experts each Saturday to talk with guests going through the exhibition. “The conversations that come out of an exhibition like this are incredibly timely coming off of a tumultuous year,” Guild said. “It’s a great opportunity for people to really reset their mindset of mental health and make sure that they have strategies in place for prioritizing their mental health just like they would any other aspect of wellness.” Keyuna Patterson, a health educator at The Well, VCU’s health promotion and well-being center, said breaking down the stigma around conversation about mental health and having empathy for both yourself and others is important. “It is important that we be supportive of each other and give ourselves and others grace,” Patterson said in an email. To do so, Patterson said staying in tune with one’s mental health is crucial for overall health, especially during stressful periods. To do so, she advised that students who are struggling contact VCU counseling services or visit The Well for stress management techniques. “I can not stress this enough, we need rest. So make yourself some tea, or take a nap. Give yourself a break. Prioritize a break in your study sessions,” Patterson said. “Also, seek professional help. You are not alone.”

Left: Mind Matters is an immersive exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia intended to raise awareness about mental illness. Right: Museum attendees Diana and Jamie Coleman take an interactive mental health quiz in the Mental Health: Mind Matters exhibit. Photos by Kaitlyn Fulmore

8 The Commonwealth Times

RJ Brands Custom presents two looks from their spring collection at RVA Fashion Week’s Look Good, Feel Good streetwear fashion show on April 27. Photos by Megan Lee

RVA Fashion Week returns:

Local designers bring individuality to in-person events W ITH GOWNS FEATURING LARGE hoop skirts, oversized puff sleeves, ruffles and feathers, designer Azi Blas knows no bounds. “I’m global,” said Blas, who has been designing clothes since the ’70s. “My mentality is not dictated by a person, place or thing.” At the 13th Annual Richmond Fashion Week, Blas presented his Blas Couture

six-piece spring collection, which featured couture evening wear. The livestreamed and in-person event, which ran from April 24 to May 2, also hosted nearly 20 other designers and fashion retailers with an array of styles. “I don’t really carry an aesthetic,” Blas said. “It’s what my customer wants. Sometimes it’s simple, sometimes it’s eclectic, sometimes it’s super chic, cutting edge.”

“I’m global. My mentality is not dictated by a person, place or thing.” Azi Blas, fashion designer and owner of Blas Couture

A model show-cases an outfit styled from items at Rumors Boutique, a Richmond thrift store. Photo by Megan Lee

This year’s lineup included a print release party for fashion magazine VA Style, streetwear and vintage fashion shows, a high-fashion runway show and a fashion panel discussion, which focused on inspiring a new generation of creatives. “I’ve been doing it for a long time,” Blas said. “Sometimes it’s exciting and sometimes it’s very stressful. It’s real life, and life on its terms.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s RVAFW event was moved to October and held mostly online. However, this spring’s iteration of fashion week used a blend of virtual, outdoor and limited capacity indoor events. Ryan Azia, executive director of RVAFW, said the preparation this year was

challenging. The executive team had to “strike a delicate balance” of how many people they actually needed to perform the show versus how many guests could safely attend. “Regulations played a massive role in what we could and could not do, so timing and having a dynamic team ready to go once decisions were made was so important for everyone,” Azia stated in an email interview. Education, wellness and charity were prominent themes of this year’s curated events; a sewing workshop and sunrise yoga session that focused on mental health concluded the week. The group donated proceeds of Wednesday’s Arts District Dinner Fashion show ticket sales to Feed More, a food bank that services central Virginia. “We’re proud to contribute to our economy, community, arts and culture,” Jimmy Budd, executive producer of RVAFW, stated in a press release. “Since our launch more than a decade ago, we continue to see synergy among fashion designers, hair and makeup artists, photographers, models and entrepreneurs.” Tirtha Ratnam, a senior interdisciplinary studies major at VCU, said she has been modeling for RVAFW since her freshman year. She said she had always been curious about modeling and was happy to get her start through an open call. At this year’s show, Ratnam said she participated in two shows — Tuesday’s Look Good, Feel Good show at the Hofheimer Venue and Saturday’s Designer Fashion Show at Common House. Ratnam said the former show had an energetic crowd and felt like a “party,” while the latter was a sit-down dinner, with more sophisticated designs. “It was really fun,” Ratnam said. “The vibes of each of the shows were super different.”

Ratnam walked for several brands, including TT the Brand, Mama Jo’s, Rumors Boutique, Blas Couture and Talia Addie. She said the runway looks from Mama Jo’s were the most special to her.

RJ Brands Custom presents another spring fashion look at the April 27 event. Photo by Megan Lee

Wed. May 5, 2021 9 1

EDITOR'S LIST OF FILMS TO WATCH “The Rape of Recy Taylor” (2017) Exploring the historical legacy of sexual violence against Black women, this moving documentary tells the story of Recy Taylor, an Alabama sharecropper who was gang-raped by six white men in 1944. During the Jim Crow era, very few women spoke against their abusers, but with Taylor’s courage and the help of Rosa Parks and the NAACP, her story fueled calls for justice.

Available on Hulu 94% Rotten Tomatoes

“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” (2019) In this intimate documentary, renowned author and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison reflects on her literary career in which she explored race, American history and the Black experience. Including interviews from Oprah Winfrey to Angela Davis, Morrison’s colleagues discuss her work and its impact on American culture.

Available on Hulu 97% Rotten Tomatoes

“Shirley” (2020)

1-4: The April 27 event, which was held on the rooftop of the Hofheimer Venue, featured the music of DJ Andrew Hypes and comedy by Micah “Bam-Bamm” White. Photos by Megan Lee “The designer’s mother was like the artist that inspired his whole collection, which was very sweet,” Ratnam said. Ratnam said the preparation for this year’s show was different than what she experienced in years past. She said the models generally spend a lot of time together at dress fittings and workshops that teach them how to walk, but this year they scheduled these appointments individually. Despite the infrequent interaction, Ratnam said she still felt very connected to the other participants. “There was just a really great energy between all of the designers and all of the models,” Ratnam said. “Even though we were only there for a few hours, by the end of it, everyone was just super cool, kind of like wanting to link up again.” James Crump, co-owner of The Spot, said the opportunity to connect with other businesses was an exciting factor of RVAFW. “As a Black-owned brand, just being able to collaborate with different brands in 1

Virginia, different brands in other places — other than Richmond is cool,” Crump said. “And we try to focus on collaborating with other Black-owned businesses as well, just so people know we can work together and still create good products.”

One of The Spot’s main goals is to bring awareness to Virginia creatives and put Virginia on the map.” James Crump, co-owner of The Spot The Spot is a streetwear retail store in Richmond’s Arts District, founded in 2020 by seven local entrepreneurs. The Spot is a 2

collective brand, while the store also acts as a hub for the owners’ individual clothing lines, Crump said. Crump owns Original Players, a nostalgic streetwear brand. Its clothing makes reference to notable figures in pop culture, such as Michael Jordan. “Basically our focus is on paying homage to the people who came before us and kind of started stuff in various industries, whether it’s sports, music, entertainment, politics,” Crump said. Crump said RVAFW was The Spot’s first fashion show, and the owners mixed and matched their different brands in the runway looks to reflect their collaborative efforts. He said one of his favorite looks — a “modern ’70s vintage vibe” which featured a tie-dye logo shirt, bell bottoms and Nike Dunk Low sneakers — received high praise. “One of The Spot’s main goals is to bring awareness to Virginia creatives and put Virginia on the map,” Crump said. 3

Inspired by horror novelist Shirley Jackson, this film provides a dramatized account of Jackson’s writing process for her famous 1951 book “Hangsaman.” Jackson, played by Elisabeth Moss, invites a young couple to live with her and her husband, and they begin to serve as her muse while she deals with agoraphobia, or the fear of leaving one’s home.

Available on Hulu 87% Rotten Tomatoes

“I Care a Lot” (2020)

This dark and twisted comedy follows a scammer named Marla, played by Rosamund Pike, who convinces the court that certain elderly people need her legal guardianship. While they are sent to live in an assisted living facility, she retains their property and sells it. Marla profits greatly from this shady operation, until one wealthy retiree with ties to a violent criminal catches on to her scheme. With a stellar performance, Pike won the 2020 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical. Available on Hulu 80% Rotten Tomatoes

“Synchronic” (2019)

Starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, this sci-fi drama follows two paramedics named Steve and Dennis who respond to a series of bizarre deaths. They believe the strange circumstances are related to a new psychedelic named synchronic, but the sudden disappearance of Dennis’ daughter leads them to an even more shocking revelation about the drug.

Available on Netflix 79% Rotten Tomatoes

“The Great Hack” (2019)

Based on the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal publicized in 2018, this documentary sheds light on the information breach that harnessed 87 million Facebook users’ personal data to assist the 2016 political campaigns of Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.

Available on Netflix 87% Rotten Tomatoes

1: RVA Fashion Week spokeswoman Heather Marie Van Cleave and NBC12 news anchor Anthony Antoine hosted the Arts District Dinner Fashion Show on April 28, which featured vintage, streetwear and tailored suiting looks. 2: A model presents a look from Chilalay, a Richmond-based streetwear clothing store. 3: The Spot, a streetwear brand, presented a spring fashion collection at the April 28 event. Photos by Jon Mirador

Have suggestions for our watchlist? Email spectrum@ commonwealthtimes.org

Wed. May 5, 2021 9

Quote of the week

“I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is that they must change if they are to get better.” — Georg Lichtenberg

Tea Time with Tagwa

TAGWA SHAMMET Opinions Editor

FAREWELL TO SPRING

Tea timers, our spring semester is coming to a close. We have been through a lot together these past few months. From online classes to social injustice, mental health and student deaths, our semester has been anything but simple. It doesn’t seem right to bid the spring farewell without mentioning those who didn’t make it to the end. Cody Woodson, Adam Oakes and Daniel Cordero-Laske were among those taken from the VCU community far too soon. Their families and friends mourn them every day, and we will remember them always. That being said, some of those deaths will feel seemingly meaningless if no change is brought forward. Oakes — who died earlier this semester at a Delta Chi fraternity event — will never get to walk across the graduation stage as many students will next week. His family will never be able to witness his accomplishments and rejoice in his success. His friends will never be able to laugh with him. He will never grow old. All because of unnecessary, childish and antiquated traditions of hazing in Greek life. VCU must not let Oakes’ death be in vain — changes in Greek life are vital. As we leave the semester, it is more important than ever that our

demands for these changes will not leave with the season. Cordero-Laske served as a member of our VCU Student Government Association. Hundreds of VCU community members shared their thoughts on how Cordero-Laske positively impacted their life. He will be missed dearly. Woodson was shot on Gilmer Street, only a few blocks from where our paper is produced, the Student Media Center. Similarly to 19-year-old Oakes, 20-yearold Woodson died during the peak of his college experience. His safety was not a priority of this university. Student safety is essential to welcoming comfortability on campus. VCU must ensure that all students are safe and out of danger as much as possible. Woodson died a mere walking distance from campus in an area where many students reside. The semester might be ending, but we still have students — including myself — who will be staying around campus for the summer. My safety should not be compromised simply because classes aren’t in session. Last summer, Richmond turned into a beautiful, political playground. Protests against the undeniable police brutality in our nation ensued all throughout the area. Offensive statues, such as the Stonewall Jackson monument, were removed. We demanded social justice. We went from protesting the injustice against George Floyd last year to watching

justice be served on our own televisions this year. I wish I could say we didn’t lose anybody along the way. But, I can’t. Police brutality is as American as apple pie. We’re not oblivious to the realities of the matter: policing in this nation stems from slave patrols. Therefore, the inherent racism in this nation’s law enforcement is extremely obvious. Nevertheless, we — the protesters of injustice — stand. We stand to ensure that our lives matter, that Black power is respected and recognized throughout the world — that those meant to protect and serve do so. And if they don’t, defund them. Policing in this nation has proved time and time again to be more of a hassle than it’s worth. Instead of funding this historically racist institution, we could be reallocating those funds to help better our American community as a whole. Greater funding and access to resources for poorly subsidized school districts and community centers could help elevate the status of many children of color across the country. We did all of this while surviving a pandemic. This school year has proved to be difficult. At times, it even felt like I wasn’t learning because the Zoom fatigue became unbearable. Switching between my

computer and campus while maintaining social distancing was hard, but we made it through — vaccinated at that. Our mental health was put to the test. Depression and anxiety were up to bat with remote learning and quarantine. Sometimes, my mental health didn’t win, but you better believe it will now that summer is here. So, farewell to spring. Farewell, tea timers. The semester may be over, but you know I’ll be back. And that’s the tea.

Illustration by Karly Andersen

Cannabis may be legalized, but criminal justice reform is still needed RACHEL SPILLER Contributing Writer The legalization of cannabis is exciting for many Virginians. But how are we to celebrate when there are people who will remain behind bars for the crime? The issue lies in the history of racism in the U.S. incarceration system, an institution that has been flawed since the launching of the war on drugs in the 1970s. The legalization of recreational marijuana is officially underway in Virginia, making it the 16th state to take the step forward. In July, marijuana was decriminalized, being reduced from a felony charge to a small fine of $25 for those in possession of less than an ounce. The movement continued later in that year to legalize the drug altogether; a long-awaited and overdue reform for the commonwealth. On April 21, Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill that allows adults 21 and older to legally possess up to an ounce of cannabis and to grow up to four plants per household, starting July 1. Amid the great news of something that contributes to a more socially accepting society, there are many questions to be raised about the new laws in place. According to an article from Virginia Mercury, those incarcerated on marijuana charges will remain behind bars despite the drug’s legalization, which seems far from reasonable.

The history behind the criminalization of marijuana dates back nearly 100 years and can be used to explain why the U.S. currently holds the title as the most incarcerated country worldwide. In 2018, more than 28,000 people were sentenced to time behind bars for cannabis offenses, according to the Virginia State Police annual crime report. More than half of those arrests were Black Americans, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. This is a tiring trend that we have seen for nearly 50 years since the administration of former President Richard Nixon. In 1971, Nixon declared a war on drugs, stating the No. 1 enemy to the U.S. was drug abuse. This led to the forming of the Drug Enforcement Administration, which increased the presence of government agents in minority communities and allowed for new methods of criminalization such as no-knock warrants and mandatory sentencing. Nixon’s launch of the war on drugs disproportionately affected minority communities. It has prompted a 500% increase in incarceration rates within the last 40 years with the stricter drug policies in place, while the overall population increased only 51% since 1974, according to Politifact. Now, with more than 2 million people behind bars, our nation suffers a great tragedy. Contrary to popular belief, the war on drugs was never about the concern of the

Illustration by Lauren Johnson

American people and drug abuse. It has always been a matter of control in the eyes of those in political power. Since 1970, the U.S. has felt the repercussions of the needless drug war deeply, seeing our law enforcement discriminate heavily against minorities, watching the unraveling of the American justice system and negatively impacting the lives of millions of people. Although we are no longer living in the 1970s, the effects of the implementations set by Nixon and former President Ronald Reagan are still visible today. Statistics from the ACLU show that in 2018, more arrests were made for the possession of marijuana than any other drug class. Although white people are just as likely to use and possess marijuana at the same rate as Black Americans, there is a significant difference in the rates of those arrested for petty crime.

America’s approach on incarceration has been influenced by harsh sentencing, racial bias and a lack of public safety. There is no reason that one racial group should be affected more than another. In the 21st century, it is hard to believe that this still has to be stated. Our country has seen the impacts of racial disparities for far too long, and it is well past time for them to be addressed and diminished in today’s society. While Virginia has taken a step in the right direction by legalizing cannabis, the next steps in handling those incarcerated for marijuana charges will be the most important in the near future. The time is now for Virginia to end a racially motivated war on the people. We must move to reform our criminal justice system with the same urgency with which we are reforming drug policy.

10 The Commonwealth Times

FAREWELL

The CT seniors say farewell

Executive editor Andrew Ringle says farewell ANDREW RINGLE Executive Editor EVERY YEAR AT THE CT, GRADUATING editors steal a chunk of the opinions section for an admittedly vain reason — to scrawl out one last “farewell” to the newspaper, our readers and the friends we made along the way. I’ve read these articles every year from many good friends since I joined The CT in 2018. My favorite was former editor Fadel Allassan’s, which simply read: “-30-” I considered playing that angle; leave a short, witty line that shows you don’t take yourself too seriously, I told myself before starting this. Don’t write an essay. But here we are, passing 150 words. I’m not going to write an essay. In fact, I considered typing out, “I don’t want to get into it,” and leaving it at that. I can’t sugarcoat the challenges I’ve faced at The CT. Getting chased, handcuffed and shot at with chemical agents and rubber bullets by police all summer, working for minimal pay, balancing the responsibilities of being a full-time student with the pressure of a rapidly growing and expectant audience — all happening during a pandemic, which I somehow nearly forgot to mention. The job often made me feel tired and pessimistic. But I want to use my short column here to celebrate what we’ve done, despite those obstacles. When I remember The CT, I know I will think of my friends’ smiling faces and the feeling of sending a final PDF to the printers as the sun begins to rise. I can save the rest for therapy. My proudest accomplishment is leading The CT to being what VPM called “one of the most trusted media outlets in the city” during the summer of racial justice protests. It was a privilege to serve Richmond during those long, hot nights, and I am grateful to those who tuned in, reached out and donated to our humble publication. We’ve won two consecutive Pacemaker awards, called “the Pulitzer of college

Illustration by Marissa Stratton

media” by some student journalists. And dozens of other award certificates from the Virginia Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and more will hang on the walls of the Student Media Center in The CT’s honor for years thanks to our staff ’s hard work. I have a few people I’d like to thank for making that happen. Georgia Geen, The CT’s former executive editor and a good friend to so many who worked within the newsroom’s windowless walls. Thank you for your guidance and support. Our editorial advisers, Allison Bennett Dyche and Mark Robinson, as well as the entire SMC staff and board — we are all grateful for the care and effort you put into your jobs. Thanks to my staff at The CT, past and present — Iman Mekonen, Sarah Elson, Rachel Rivenbark, Katharine DeRosa, Noah Fleischman, Ebonique Little, Tagwa Shammet, Enza Marcy, Jon Mirador, Lauren Johnson, Hannah Eason, Ed Acevedo, Alex Zernik — and all our graphic designers led by the fearlessly creative Andy Caress. Good luck to those of you who are returning in the fall, and I’ll see some of you at Warm ‘n’ Fuzzies. Finally, thanks to my partner Vaila, our cat Chibi and my family. I couldn’t have handled working from home for most of the past year without your constant companionship. Now this reads like an Oscars acceptance speech, and all I’m doing is leaving my job at a college newspaper, so I’ll wrap this up with one more important sentiment. Thank you for reading.

Spectrum editor Ebonique Little says farewell EBONIQUE LITTLE Spectrum Editor

My contributions as a writer and editor are not only relevant to The CT, but they have also become how I define myself MY SENIOR QUOTE IN MY HIGH SCHOOL and my purpose. My only regret is not yearbook was “HAGS,” so clearly I’m not joining sooner. good at goodbyes, but here I go. I’m thankful for every story assignLast May, I reluctantly heeded the advice ment that challenged me and each ediof one of my professors who encouraged me tor I’ve worked with — Iman Mekonen, to submit a class assignment to The Com- Hannah Eason, Andrew Ringle and monwealth Times. Since then, The CT has Rachel Rivenbark — who pushed me become integral to my college experience. to be a stronger writer and reporter. To I’ve found my voice and learned about everyone on the CT staff (even the ones myself in ways I never knew. An arts major I never met face to face), I am eternally who initially only wanted to write about grateful. fashion grew into a confident outlet for Black artists and issues within our community.

Photo editor Enza Marcy says farewell ENZA MARCY Photo Editor

THERE’S THIS POEM THAT I LOVE, THAT I’VE had taped to my bedroom wall for years and that I keep coming back to. It’s titled “Poetry” by Marianne Moore, and it’s a poem about poetry. It begins, “I too, dislike it: there are things that are important beyond all this fiddle / Reading it, however, with a perfect contempt for it, one discovers that there is in / it after all, a place for the genuine.” Before I started my time at The CT, I photographed my friends, my roommates, my bus rides on the Greyhound and strangers who showed me some of the purest glimpses of empathy I have ever known. Before that, I photographed my mom caring for her mom, my grandmother, as she wrestled with losing her sense of self and ANDY CARESS pandemic changed everything this and last the world around her to dementia. Before Design Editor semester. Honestly, being the design edi- that, maybe some bad pictures of rocks tor at The CT throughout COVID-19 was and leaves and portraits that spent far too I HAVE WORKED FOR THE COMMON- tough. I knew it would be a hard job and long in Photoshop. wealth Times for three years. I was confident, yet I couldn’t help but feel For the past two years at The CT, I have For three years I have made countless disenfranchised. I had a dream of leading been photographing our community in mistakes. For three years I have learned The CT in the same friendly environment Richmond. Beautiful, special people. Beautifrom those mistakes. For three years I I was first introduced to. ful, special Richmond. And I am grateful for have designed the same layout on the I would like to thank all those that have every moment, every person, every picture. same night. For three years I have won taught me so much. Ryan, you introduced As my time with The CT comes to an The CT multiple awards with what I’ve me to good typography. Jeffrey, I love tex- end, as seasons pass and the outside world learned. For three years I have expe- ture because of you. MP, you gave me three continues apace and the light continues rienced some of the best times of my things: #FF0000 #0000FF #FFFF20. I life. For three years I have experienced started here when I knew nothing and y’all the most embarrassing moments of my taught me everything. life. For three years I met incredible To Gabi, Jayce, Ray and Sunny — people who constantly inspire me. For thank you for your friendship, hard work NI SANG three years I saw those people come and inability to form a coup against me as Graphic Designer and go. For three years I have worked your editor. for The Commonwealth Times and this To all the non-designers — I’m glad I BEING A GRAPHIC DESIGNER IN CT OFFERED will be my last. got to know y’all. You inspire me each and me an opportunity to prove myself. I have For three years I’ve thought about every day. I grew up with some of y’all in learned so much from different challenges what I wanted to say when this time the production room and wish we could’ve and tasks, and those tasks are always a mocame — and I still don’t. The COVID-19 ended it there. tivation for me during this difficult school

Design editor Andy Caress says farewell

to dance over trees or someone’s cheek whether my camera is in my hands or left at home — I am reminded that this is all so fleeting. And, even still, I am reminded that photography is capable of a certain kind of magic. Memory is fragile. But the photographs are still there. There are days when the camera is slung around my neck and I’m rushing out the door on assignment. There are days when the camera stays tucked away in my backpack abyss. Whether the camera comes out or doesn’t, whether the picture is made with a shutter click or frozen in time as a memory, I am grateful for every person I have met along my CT journey. To our talented team of editors, writers, illustrators, designers and photographers I’ve had the pleasure of learning from. To the students, educators, poets, artists, gardeners, business owners, mothers and daughters and brothers and sisters I’ve had the honor of photographing. To the beautiful Richmond community I’ve been lucky enough to grow with. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives, for sharing the moment a picture is made, and for discovering that there is in it after all, a place for the genuine — together.

Graphic designer Ni Sang says farewell year. I want to appreciate everyone in The CT for sharing this fantastic year with me, and hope we’ll pour all the passion into things we love in the future. Sincerely, Sunny

Wed. May 5, 2021 11

THE CT STAFF

The Big Reveal by Audrey Garrett

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andrew Ringle ringlea@commonwealthtimes.org MANAGING EDITOR Iman Mekonen mekonenib@commonwealthtimes.org COPY EDITOR Rachel Rivenbark rivenbarkrs@commonwealthtimes.org NEWS EDITOR Katharine DeRosa news@commonwealthtimes.org SPORTS EDITOR Noah Fleischman sports@commonwealthtimes.org SPECTRUM EDITOR Ebonique Little spectrum@commonwealthtimes.org OPINIONS EDITOR Tagwa Shammet opinions@commonwealthtimes.org PHOTO EDITOR Enza Marcy photography@commonwealthtimes.org AUDIENCE EDITOR Sarah Elson elsonsp@commonwealthtimes.org ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Lauren Johnson illustrations@commonwealthtimes.org

Finale by Carleigh Ross

STAFF WRITERS Joe Dodson, Sports Sahara Sriraman, News

VCU STUDENT MEDIA CENTER DESIGN EDITOR Andy Caress designers@vcustudentmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jayce Nguyen Ni Sang Raymond Liu Gabrielle Wood designers@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kofi Roberts advertising@vcustudentmedia.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE John Rudolph rudolphjd@vcu.edu WEB MANAGER Chranjitpandian Murugapandi web@vcustudentmedia.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tibebe Gebiso distribution@vcustudentmedia.com TEMPORARY EDITORIAL ADVISER Mark Robinson robinsonmw@vcu.edu CREATIVE MEDIA MANAGER Mark Jeffries mjeffries@vcu.edu SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dominique Lee leeds3@vcu.edu (804) 827-1642

Summer by Sarah Brady

OFFICE MANAGER Owen Martin martinso@vcu.edu

ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969. The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

ADD YOUR VOICE The opinions pages of the CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Tagwa Shammet, 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. The Commonwealth Times strives for accuracy in gathering news. If you think we have made an error, please email the appropriate section editor. Corrections will appear on the news pages and/or online. One CT per person. Additional copies can be purchased at the Student Media Center for $1 each.

12 The Commonwealth Times

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