The Commonwealth Times; February 13, 2017

February 13, 2017 • Vol. 58, No. 19

The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University

NEWS “BratWorst” • 3

SPORTS GW, Davidson • 7

SPECTRUM Underground Railroad • 9

OPINION An Ode to Self Care • 11

FLEXIN’

Rams lock in six straight A-10 wins NICK VERSAW Staff Writer Davidson

—continued on page 7

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

VCU picked up its sixth straight win and 20th of the season Saturday as they knocked off the visiting Wildcats of Davidson University 74-60.

The win marked an impressive 11 consecutive years the Rams have won 20 games.

The deciding factor for the Black and Gold was their ability to limit the Wildcats’ stars, Jack Gibbs and Peyton Aldridge. During the teams’ previous matchup last month, the pair combined for 54 of Davidson’s 69 points in a Wildcats’ win.

On Saturday, however, they put up just 33.

“The story of the game was we did a much better job on Aldridge,” coach Will Wade said after the game. “That certainly helped us.”

Aldridge, who averages over 20 points-pergame on the season, put up just six Saturday evening. The junior forward was stifled by a revolving door of Rams defenders, including senior forwards Mo Alie-Cox and Jordan Burgess, and junior forward Justin Tillman, leading to a scoreless second half for the Wildcats’ top scorer.

“I think switching the bodies and switching the physicality and switching those guys really helped us,” Wade said. “That was a point of emphasis for us.”

Davidson Head Coach Bob McKillop praised the Black and Gold trio for the way they were able to shut down his star man.

“You saw how Peyton was frustrated,” McKillop said. “2-13 is very uncharacteristic of him. Some of those shots weren’t even close.”

Men’s basketball moved back into a first-place tie with the University of Dayton in the Atlantic 10. A pair of wins last week pushed the Rams’ record to 20-5 overall and 10-2 in conference.

House votes to defund Planned Parenthood

McAuliffe vows to veto anti-sanctuary bills

PHOTO BY JESSICA NOLTE

SARAROSE MARTIN Staff Writer

Demonstrators gathered outside the Federal Courthouse in protest of President Donald Trump’s executive order on Jan. 30.

RODRIGO ARRIAZA Contributing Writer Advocates for undocumented immigrants are praising Gov. Terry McAuliffe after his promise to veto Republican-backed legislation prohibiting local governments from becoming “sanctuary cities.”

Progress Virginia and New Virginia Majority, which advocate for the rights of undocumented immigrants, criticized bills passed by the House and Senate on party-line votes this week. The bills state that localities must not restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws and must cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The governor’s spokesman, Brian Coy, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that McAuliffe would veto any measure forcing localities to enforce federal immigration laws. Coy said the governor views the bills as “attempts to divide and demonize people.”

Tram Nguyen, co-executive director of New Vir-

ginia Majority, praised that statement.

“In the face of attempts from D.C. to divide our communities, it’s more important than ever that we celebrate diversity and remain open and welcoming to immigrants,” Nguyen said.

“People come to America from around the world to seek a better life and flee war, persecution, poverty and so much more. Thank you to Gov. McAuliffe for standing up for every Virginian and pledging to veto these outrageous attacks.”

McAuliffe vowed to veto two immigration-related bills: HB 2000, sponsored by Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County, would prohibit any city in the state from declaring itself as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. Sanctuarycities like New York City, Chicago and San Francisco have promised not to cooperate with ICE in detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. The House passed the bill, 66-33,on Tuesday.

SB 1262, sponsored by Sen. Richard Black, R-Loudoun, would make a sanctuary city liable for “tortious injury to persons or property caused by an illegal alien within such locality.” The Senate approved the measure, 21-19, on Monday.

In defense of his bill, Black said that he believes sanctuary policies serve as a “shield” for undocumented criminals.

“Under this bill, if you have a jurisdiction that’s deliberately gone out to harbor whatever murderers, robbers, drunk drivers — people who are subject to deportation by federal immigration law, and they set up a shield for them to avoid federal law — then the victims who suffer from that policy will have the opportunity to be reimbursed by that locality,” Black said.

Democratic Sen. Richard Saslaw of Fairfax County disputed Black’s statement.

“The reference that all these counties are harboring all these murderers and armed robbers and rapists and the variety — implying that basically that’s what un-

—continued on page 2

The House of Delegates voted Tuesday to defund Planned Parenthood despite protests by women’s rights advocates on the Capitol grounds and in the House chamber.

On a 60-33 party-line vote, the House approved HB 2264, which would cut off federal Title X funding for Planned Parenthood and any other groups that perform abortions in Virginia. The organization says loss of the funding would “significantly undermine” services at its five clinics in the state.

About a dozen protesters lined the sidewalk at Capitol Square on Tuesday morning as legislators walked from the General Assembly Building to the state Capitol. They held signs declaring “I Stand with Planned Parenthood” and “Stop the War on Virginia Women.”

Later, wearing T-shirts that spelled out “We are watching,” the demonstrators sat in the first row of the gallery overlooking the House floor to urge delegates to vote against the bill. The protesters represented such groups as Progress Virginia, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, the Virginia Latina Advocacy Network, the Virginia Civic Engagement Table and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.

Planned Parenthood’s clinics in Richmond, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville and Roanoke mostly provide cancer screenings, family planning services, contraceptive counseling, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, according to the organization.

Nationally, Planned Parenthood says, abortions makes up about 3 percent of the group’s services.

In Virginia, Planned Parenthood clinics provide contraceptive care to thousands of low-income women each year, according to Anna Scholl, executive director of Progress Virginia. She said most Virginians agree that a woman who has decided to terminate a pregnancy should have access to safe and affordable abortion services.

“The activism we saw today at the state Capitol is a clear sign that women care deeply about threats to their reproductive freedom,” said Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia.

“In voting to defund Planned Parenthood, legislators are subverting the will of the people and endangering health and the lives of thousands of Virginia women for purely ideological and political reasons. It’s shameful.”

The Family Foundation of Virginia, which opposes abortion rights, applauded passage of the bill. Josh Hetzler, who serves on the foundation’s legislative council, noted that nationwide, Planned Parenthood performed almost 324,000 abortions in 2014.

—continued on page 3

news

The Commonwealth Times

CRIME LOG

In this section:

Sanctuary city. Smoking. McAuliffe vows, vetoes.

Planned Parenthood. BratWorst. False convictions.

Bourne elected. Racial disproportionality.

Stoney reaffirms commitment to protecting the city’s immigrants

Data obtained from the VCU Police Dept. daily incident log

Feb. 6, 2017

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEVAR STONEY STONEY/TWITTER

Alcohol Violation 300 W. Main St. Closed.

Theft From Building Cabell Library 901 Park Ave Pending Exposure/Drunkenness Panera 810 W. Grace St. Closed. CBA Indecent Exposure 511 N. Harrison St. Closed. CBA

Stoney signed a mayoral directive last Monday to reaffirm his committment to protect immigrants.

Simple Assault 1134 Catherine St. Reported by Outside Agency

MARY LEE CLARK, Staff Writer MEGAN SCHIFFRES, Contributing Writer

Feb. 7, 2017 Drug Violation 814 W. Franklin St. Pending Motor Vehicle Theft 907 Floyd Ave. Pending Harassment 835 W. Grace St. Pending Shoplifting ABC 1217 W. Broad St. Reported by Outside Agency Burglary/B&E Residential 703 Catherine St. Reported by Outside Agency Hit and Run 100 N. Pine St. Reported by Outside Agency

Feb. 8, 2017 Tampering with Auto/All Other Offenses 100 S. Harrison St. Closed.

Harassment 1200 W. Marshall St. Pending City Code Violation - Alcohol 100 N. Henry St. Closed. CBA Trespassing/City Code Violation - Alcohol 517 W. Grace St. Closed. CBA Trespassing Brandt Residence Hall 720 W. Franklin St. Pending Destruction of Property Private 1102 Grove Ave. Reported by Outside Agency Motor Vehicle Theft 100 S. Pine St. Reported by Outside Agency

Richmond is joining a national movement to protect immigrants and refugees in light of recent presidential executive actions.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney signed a mayoral directive Monday reaffirming his commitment to protect and promote the safety of all members of the community regardless of their immigration or refugee status.

The directive is a response to protests and a petition with about 1,400 signatures asking Stoney to take action against President Trump’s executive order issued Jan. 25 that blocks funding to sanctuary cities, which are jurisdictions that limit law enforcement cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

“America is a nation of immigrants,” Stoney said. “Unless you are Native American, all of us are from somewhere else. This is not — as some have suggested — a weakness. Rather, it is our strength. It is what makes us great. It is why so many from so many parts of the world want to make this country their home.”

Trump’s executive action was signed the same day he ordered the construction of a border wall between Mexico and the United States, in efforts to combat undocumented immigration.

“We’re in the middle of a crisis on our southern border,” Trump said. “A nation without borders is not a nation.”

The presidential order also directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to release a weekly list of criminal acts committed by aliens in sanctuary jurisdictions, to “better inform the public regarding the public safety threats associated with sanctuary jurisdictions”.

This action against undocumented immigrants is reminiscent of Trump’s controversial campaign statement in 2015, in which he said “ The Mexican government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc.”

Stoney avoided using “sanctuary city” to describe Richmond, instead stressing the city’s existing policy of being inclusive to illegal immigrants.

“Today, by this directive, Richmond reaffirms its position — where it has been since Day One on this issue. That we stand with all our residents as a Welcoming city, inclusive and diverse. That we are ONE RICHMOND,” Stoney said.

The directive says, “The Richmond Police Department will not consent to participate with the Immigration Customs Enforcement 287(g) agreements” and will focus on residents’ wellbeing, not their legal status.”

Immigration Customs Enforcement 287(g) authorizes the director of ICE to enter into agreements with local law enforcement to train and perform immigration law functions.

SB 938 would impose a $25 fine on anyone in violation of the law; the fines would go into the Virginia Health Care Fund.

Feb. 9, 2017 Trespassing 1201 W. Broad St. Pending Drug Violation Ackell Residence Hall 1100 W. Broad St. Closed. CBA Shoplifting ABC 1217 W. Broad St. Reported by Outside Agency All Other Larceny Asado Wing & Taco Co 727 W. Broad St. Reported by Outside Agency Hit and Run 810 W. Grace St. Reported by Outside Agency

Reporting suspicious or emergency situations to the VCU Police Department can help solve crimes, provide emergency assistance that may save a life and help deter criminal activity.

Virginians may have to put out their cigarettes before entering an outdoor performance because of a bill that emerged from the state Senate on a tiebreaker vote last Tuesday.

Senate Bill 938 would allow local governments to designate nonsmoking areas in an outdoor amphitheater or concert venue. It cleared the Senate on the last day bills could be approved in the chamber where they originated.

The bill, proposed by Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, met opposition and split the Senate, 20-20. Sen. Emmett Hanger, a Republican from Augusta County, joined the 19 Democrats in voting for the legislation.

The other 20 Republican senators voted against it. Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a physician, then cast the deciding vote to pass the bill.

Edwards said he introduced the legislation on behalf of Roanoke city officials who received complaints from parents about people smoking near children in Roanoke’s outdoor amphitheater, Elmwood Park.

The bill originally would have applied to any outdoor public area, including parks and greenways. But the Senate Local Government Committee amended it last

Here is how the Senate voted on SB 938 (“Smoking in outdoor public place; locality regulation”)

To contact the VCU PD call (804) 828-1196.

For an off-campus emergency call 911.

MARY LEE CLARK Staff Writer

HOW THEY VOTED

Download the VCU LiveSafe mobile phone app to report crimes anonymously.

For an on-campus emergency call (804) 828-1234.

Currently the only 287(g) agreement in Virginia involves the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center.

The Richmond Police Department already has a policy of not reporting undocumented residents to the immigration authorities unless they have committed certain criminal offenses.

“At no time during any citizen interaction does the RPD ask any person about their immigration status,” said Police Chief Alfred Durham.

Stoney’s action could be met with criticism from members of the General Assembly, who are currently voting on bills to block sanctuary cities in Virginia.

Stoney issued the mayoral directive on the same day the Virginia Senate passed a bill to hold sanctuary cities liable for certain injuries and damages caused by illegal aliens. For example, if an illegal immigrant were to get into a fender-bender with a resident, the state would be responsible for paying the damages.

The bill, SB 1262, sponsored by Sen. Dick Black, R-Loudoun County, was met with heavy criticism by Democrats in the Senate who argued that it was impossible to enforce and a burden on taxpayers.

House Bill 2000, by Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County, and HB 2236, by Del. Ben Cline, R-Lexington, both prohibit sanctuary policies. House Bill 1468, sponsored by Del. Robert Marshall, R-Prince William, would prohibit government officials from releasing incarcerated aliens for whom ICE has issued a detainer.

“We need to keep our country, and our city, safe from those who would do us harm, and no one, citizen or not, is exempt from justice if they commit crimes against their neighbors,” Stoney said.

“But actions such as those taken by the 45th President through these executive orders — actions like those embedded in several bills currently before our General Assembly, do not make us stronger. They peddle fear. They are ill-informed and misguided attempts to protect us, that arguably make us less safe in our communities. Some are unconstitutional, and others are just unAmerican. That is not the country we are, and it is not the city we will be.”

In the Virginia General Assembly, no anti-sanctuary bill has yet passed its house of origin and could be dropped by “crossover day”, the Tuesday deadline for bills to be approved by their house of origin.

Other states, such as Texas, are also seeking harsher penalties for cities that take up sanctuary policies in their states.

According to the Immigration Legal Resource Center, four states have statewide laws that limit how local police cooperation with ICE. They include Oregon which officially became a sanctuary state just three days ago.

The center also identified 364 counties and 39 cities that have similar policies.

McAuliffe vows to veto anti-sanctuary legislation —continued from page 1

documented people are — to put it mildly is sheer nonsense,” Saslaw said.

Black said the intent of his bill is to make sure federal laws are being enforced.

“What it does is, it prevents the situation that is becoming increasingly common throughout the country, where you have localities that say, ‘We don’t care what the federal law says, we don’t like federal immigration law, and we invite people to come here and we’re going to shield you from legal process,’” Black said.

The governor’s statement to veto such legislation comes days after Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, former secretary of the commonwealth under McAuliffe, signed a directive affirming that the Richmond Police Department will not consent to participate with ICE and will not ask suspects and detainees about their immigration status.

“In our interactions as representatives of our city, all employees will focus on the needs and safety of our residents, not on their legal status, and will advocate and promote their wellbeing,” Stoney said in his mayoral directive.

Anna Scholl, executive director for Progress Virginia, said McAuliffe’s promise to veto the anti-sanctuary legislation shows that Virginia will not follow in the footsteps of anti-immigrant policies being put in place by the Trump administration.

“While politicians in D.C. try to slam the door shut on immigrants and refugees, Gov. McAuliffe is clearly standing up to say, ‘You are welcome here,’” Scholl said.

“We applaud the governor for rejecting divisive proposals born out of fear that would close our doors to friends and neighbors.”

In the face of attempts from D.C. to divide our communities, it’s more important than ever that we celebrate diversity and remain open and welcoming to immigrants.

Tram Nguyen New Virginia Majority

Bill seeks to curb smoking at outdoor performances

20-Y 20-N PHOTO BY SARAH KING

2

Tie-breaker: Y Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam

week to restrict its reach to outdoor amphitheaters or venues owned by local governments.

Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, spoke against the bill, saying it would open the door for more anti-smoking laws.

“It’s just going to have a rolling effect if we allow this to happen,” Cosgrove said.

Any person violating the proposed law would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $25. It would go into the Virginia Health Care Fund, which assists the state’s uninsured and medically underserved residents.

“The American Lung Association in Virginia is pleased that the Senate has voted to take the first step in protecting the public’s health from tobacco smoke,” said Deborah P. Brown, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic.

According to State of Tobacco Control, a report issued by the association, $3.1 billion is spent annually on health care costs associated with tobacco use in Virginia.

Edwards’ legislation does not apply to vapes or electronic cigarettes. The Code of Virginia defines “smoke” and “smoking” by “carrying or holding of any lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind, or any other lighted smoking equipment.”

The bill will now be considered by the House of Delegates.

20 YEAS

20 NAYS

Barker, Dance, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucus, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McPike, Petersen, Saslaw, Spruill, Surovell, Wexton

Black, Carrico, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, DeSteph, Dunnavant, McDougle, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Reeves, Ruff, Stanley, Stuart, Sturtevant, Suetterdein, Vogel, Wagner

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 13, 2017

3

PHOTO BY MEGAN CORSANO

Protesters grill “BratWorst” outside 7th District congressman’s office

Demonstrators gathered across from Dave Brat’s office at the corner of Broad Street and Cox Road on Saturday in protest of his pledge to cut federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

MEGAN CORSANO Contributing Writer The feud between U.S. Rep. Dave Brat, who represents a swath of Central Virginia in Congress, and his female constituents escalated Saturday afternoon when nearly 100 Planned Parenthood advocates demonstrated outside his office here.

The demonstrators stood across from Brat’s office at the corner of Broad Street and Cox Road in Glen Allen to protest what they see as the Republican representative’s lack of communication with his constituency.

Supporters of Planned Parenthood — for which Brat has pledged to cut off federal funding — held up signs toward the approaching traffic, eliciting honks from drivers passing by.

The crowd chanted “We are constituents!” and “Dave Brat has got to go!” as well as “We are not paid!” That was a retort to Brat’s statement in an interview that the women who had been protesting against him were “paid activists on the far left.”

Speaking to supporters at Hanover Tavern on Jan. 28, Brat responded to questions about people asking him to hold a town hall meeting with his district by saying, “Since Obamacare and these issues have come up, the women are in my grill no matter where I go.”

The quote inspired the “grill” theme of Saturday’s protest, which recruited participants through a Facebook page titled “Grilling with #BratWorst.” Women and men of all ages gathered with signs telling Brat they wouldn’t go away silently.

“We want to show him that we will remain ‘up in his grill’ until he meets with us to have a town hall,” said Nia Bentall, a community organizer for Planned Par-

House votes to defund Planned Parenthood

enthood in Richmond.

Bentall said her involvement with Planned Parenthood stemmed from an experience in college when she took a friend who had been sexually assaulted to one of the organization’s clinics.

“There wasn’t anywhere else we could have gone,” Bentall said. “The care she received there was truly lifesaving, and I realized how important and what a unique role Planned Parenthood health centers play in communities. When they talk about defunding Planned Parenthood and that women can just go somewhere else, that’s not true.”

Many conservatives, including Brat, oppose Planned Parenthood because it provides abortions. Planned Parenthood says abortions constitute a small fraction of its services; the group’s critics dispute that, noting that Planned Parenthood performed almost 324,000 abortions nationwide in 2014.

Bentall recalled that when she took her friend to a Planned Parenthood clinic, they had to walk past anti-abortion protesters. She said those protesters had a judgmental and shaming mentality. Bentall said she began to start advocating for Planned Parenthood when she realized that some elected officials, including members of Congress, shared that mentality.

“Dave Brat needs to know that when he goes to Washington, D.C., his constituents are part of the overwhelming majority of Americans who do not support defunding Planned Parenthood,” Bentall said.

David Timberline, communications director for the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, said the group’s concern is that Brat has been inaccessible when his constituents have tried to reach him to find out his views about certain health care issues, particu-

There wasn’t anywhere else we could have gone (...) When they talk about defunding Planned Parenthood and that women can just go somwhere else, that’s not true.

Nia Bentall Event Organizer

tive counseling and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases — and focus just on abortion.

“They kind of stick on that one word, and that scares them,” Hintz said. “Planned Parenthood actually provides so many services that so many women need desperately.” Hintz added that the turnout at Saturday’s protest “shows that there are reasonable people of all ages that care about this.”

Brat represents Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, which includes parts of Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties and stretches as far north as Culpeper.

Brat, then a professor at Randolph—Macon College, was elected to Congress in 2014 after upsetting House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Brat has strong support among tea party conservatives.

He has called for repealing the federal Affordable Care Act, describing Obamacare as an “economically disastrous law and an unconstitutional power grab by our federal government” that puts America on “the Road to Serfdom.”

Brat has co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, “which declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life, including the moment at which an individual comes into being.” As part of his pro-life agenda, Brat also has co-sponsored legislation aimed at “stripping Planned Parenthood of its taxpayer funding.”

larly repealing the Affordable Care Act and defunding Planned Parenthood.

“His constituents, who are coming out here in force, want to hear what his views are,” Timberline said. “For too long, [elected officials] have been able to hide from a big slice of their constituency, largely because of gerrymandering, and they think they’re safe because they only have to respond to their slice of the electorate. This is showing them that there’s more that (Planned Parenthood does not receive federal they need to pay attention to.”

Dolly Hintz, Timberline’s mother, was one of the funds to perform abortions; however, it gets fedwomen in attendance. Her main concern is that people eral money to provide other services.) overlook the full range of services that Planned Parenthood offers — including cancer screenings, contracep-

McAuliffe vows to veto anti-LGBTQ legislation

—continued from page 1 MEGAN SCHIFFRES Contributing Writer Gov. Terry McAuliffe vowed to veto any bill that discriminates against LGBTQ people at a reception hosted last Tuesday night by Equality Virginia.

McAuliffe has vetoed 71 bills during his two years as governor, none of which have been overturned.

“It’s not about doing the most vetoes of any governor in Virginia history,” McAuliffe said. “We’re stopping people from doing things that discriminate against people’s basic rights.”

The governor said he had slated another 35 bills for veto this session.

“They’ve slipped a few bills through, but they’re not going to slip through the governor’s office. I’m going to veto them,” said McAuliffe, a Democrat in the final year of his term.

Democrats criticized Republicans for approving SB 1324, which passed the Senate on a 21-19 party-line vote Tuesday.

The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Charles Carrico, R-Grayson. Supporters describe it as a religious freedom bill, saying it would protect people and organizations that oppose same-sex marriages. However, Democrats say the measure would give people and organizations the right to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples.

“Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity has absolutely no place in the commonwealth, and I am disappointed that a Republican-majority in the Senate approved SB 1324 today,” said Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor this year. “To be economically competitive, we have to be open and welcoming to all. I will continue to advocate for equality for all.”

Clay Xix attended the Equality Virginia reception as a representative of Access AIDS Care and the LGBT Center of Hampton Roads. Earlier during Equality Virginia’s annual Day of Action, Xix tried to persuade legislators to oppose SB 1324 and a companion bill, HB 2025, sponsored by Del. Nicholas Freitas, R-Culpeper.

“It’s our people who have been constantly discriminated against time and again — barred access to jobs, one wrong hand motion in an interview and you’re out, one ‘hey, girl, hey’ in the office and you’re fired. I mean, this is what we live with,” Xix said.

27 members of the Virginia General Assembly attended the reception, including Del. Mark Levine, D-Fairfax, whose bill prohibiting LGBT discrimination in public employment, public accommodations and housing (HB 2129) was recently defeated in the House. This was the second year in a row Levine has proposed the legislation, and he says it won’t be the last.

“I think it’s really important for the people I represent to know I’m out there fighting even when it’s not going to succeed, because if you give up before you try, you never succeed,” Levine said.

As one of two openly gay men in the Virginia House of Delegates, Levine said such bills are important even when they fail because they can change the way LGBT people are thought of and treated.

“It’s not just about the rare lawsuit,” Levine said. “It’s about having people be confident enough that if they do choose to come out, they’re not going to be kicked out in the street, they’re not going to lose their employment, they’re not going to lose their job.”

Del. Mark Sickles, D-Alexandria, the other openly gay Virginia delegate, also proposed pro-LGBT legislation this session that was defeated in committee.

HB 1395 would have repealed the statutory prohibitions on same-sex marriages and civil unions in the Code of Virginia, and given the public the opportunity to vote on same-sex marriage in 2018.

PHOTO BY MEGAN SCHIFFRES

“Unprecedented efforts are being made to strip Planned Parenthood and the entire abortion industry of taxpayer funding,” Hetzler said. “Conservatives in Congress and state legislatures are now zeroing in on the abortion giant.”

Hetzler disputed the assertion that abortions comprise 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services. He said the organization does not provide services such as mammograms and prenatal care. Hetzler also criticized Planned Parenthood for providing hormone therapy for transgender individuals.

“So let me get this straight: Even if I could agree that taxpayer dollars are not directly paying for abortions when they are sent to Planned Parenthood, I can be confident that some money will go towards perpetuating a person’s mental health condition regarding his or her perceived sex, while furthering a dangerously false notion that a person’s sex is defined only by how they feel at the time?” Hetzler wrote on the group’s blog Tuesday.

“Well, just in case we needed another reason to totally defund Planned Parenthood, there it is folks.”

Del. Ben Cline, R-Amherst, sponsored the legislation to defund Planned Parenthood.

Republicans overwhelmingly supported the measure; Democrats vigorously opposed.

Cline said his bill would direct the Title X money Virginia receives to more than 140 federally qualified and rural health clinics in Virginia. The legislation “ensures that hospitals, federally qualified health clinics and rural health clinics are funded prior to abortion centers,” he said.

Cline introduced an identical bill in the 2016 legislative session. It passed both the House and the Senate but was vetoed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe. An attempt to override the veto in the House fell one vote short.

The bill states that the Virginia Department of Health “shall not enter into a contract with, or make a grant to, any entity that performs abortions that are not federally qualified abortions or maintains or operates a facility where non-federally qualified abortions are performed.”

That means the state would cut off funds for organizations that offer abortions that are not eligible for matching funds under Medicaid. This would include any abortion outside of cases of rape, incest or “gross fetal anomalies.”

The bill would not apply to licensed hospitals.

At an event hosted by Equality Virginia last week, Gov. McAuliffe vowed to veto any anti-LGBTQ legislation that gets to his desk.

Even though the laws Sickles is trying to repeal are no longer valid after the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage, his bill was defeated by the House Courts of Justice Committee.

“The only way we’re going to get fair treatment, gay and lesbian people, is to let the people speak out. And it’s not going to be through this gerrymandering system that we have here. The system is rigged — it truly is,” Sickles said.

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news

The Commonwealth Times

Innocent man will receive $1.6 million after serving 33 years of a life sentence

VCU community discusses racial disproportionality

PHOTO BY MAURA MAZUROWSKI

JASMIN ADOUS Contributing Writer

Keith Allen Harward is at least the 25th person to be wrongfully convincted in-part on behalf of bite mark evidence.

MAURA MAZUROWSKI News Editor Keith Allen Harward, who served 33 years in prison for crimes he didn’t commit, will receive nearly $1.6 million from the commonwealth of Virginia under a bill approved Monday by the House of Delegates.

Harward was convicted of a 1982 rape and murder in Newport News. He was released from prison last year after DNA testing proved he was innocent. The House unanimously passed HB 1650 to provide relief to Harward, now 60.

The bill notes that because of his wrongful conviction, Harward “suffers from numerous painful physical injuries, systemic health conditions, and severe mental anguish and emotional distress and has lost countless opportunities, including the opportunity to marry and have children” and that he “is an impoverished man, with no job skills or career prospects and no savings or accumulated pension benefits, and does not qualify for social security benefits.”

Under the legislation, Harward will receive an initial lump sum of $309,688, and then he will get $1,238,751 to purchase an annuity. In exchange, Harward must release the state from any “present or future claims.”

The legislation, sponsored by Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Arlington, also provides Harward up to $10,000 for tuition for career and technical training from the Virginia Community College System.

Last week, the Senate unanimously passed a companion bill, SB 1479, which the same provisions. The House and Senate still must pass each other’s bills before the legislation can be sent to Gov. Terry McAu-

liffe for his signature.

Harward was convicted of a rape and murder that occurred on Sept. 14, 1982. According to trial summaries, the rape victim was awakened around 2 a.m., by a loud thumping sound as her husband was being beaten by a man.

The woman was thrown out of bed and repeatedly sexually assaulted as her husband lay dying. Her assailant held a diaper over her head and threatened to harm her children if she did not cooperate.

The assailant also bit the woman’s legs. The attack came to be called the “bite-mark case” in light of testimony that Harward’s teeth matched the marks. In 1986, Harward was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Harward had always maintained his innocence.

In late 2015 and early 2016, DNA testing by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science failed to find Harward’s genetic profile in sperm left by the assailant. Instead, the testing implicated Jerry Crotty, a shipmate of Harward’s on the USS Carl Vinson at the time of the attack.

Crotty died in prison in Ohio in 2006. He was being held for attempted burglary, abduction and other charges. Attorney General Mark Herring said the new evidence showed that Harward was not guilty of the crimes that had kept him in prison, and the Virginia Supreme Court agreed.

On April 8, 2016, Harward was released from prison as a free man.

In 1983, Harward was initially convicted of capital murder, robbery, sodomy and rape. In 1985, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that, under state law, he could not

be tried for capital murder in the commission of a rape because the murder victim was not the rape victim. Harward was tried again in 1986, convicted of first-degree murder and again sentenced to life.

The rape victim told police that the man was wearing a sailor’s uniform. A dentist reviewed the dental records of Marines stationed to the USS Carl Vinson at the time and initially excluded Harward.

However, he became a suspect six months later when his then-girlfriend, Gladys Bates, reported to police that Harward had bitten her in an altercation.

Harward later admitted biting her on the hand and shoulder during the dispute.

Police had the 1982 rape victim attend court when Harward was there for the unrelated case involving Bates to see if she could identify him. The victim could not identify Harward as her attacker then or later during his trial.

According to HB 1560, a shipyard security guard was the only individual to identify Harward at trial. Two forensic odontologists testified that Harward’s teeth matched those of the bites on the woman.

The Virginia Court of Appeals dismissed Harward’s appeal in 1988, “finding the circumstantial evidence sufficient.”

Harward is at least the 25th person to have been wrongfully convicted or indicted based at least in part on bite mark evidence, according to the Innocence Project.

“Despite the fact that for decades courts have permitted forensic dentists to testify in criminal trials, there is a complete lack of scientific support for claims that a suspect can be identified from an injury on a victim’s skin,” the Innocent Project’s website states.

Democrat Jeff Bourne is elected to Virginia House TYLER HAMMEL Contributing Writer Jeff Bourne, a member of the Richmond School Board, easily won a special election Feb. 7 for the Virginia House of Delegates. Bourne, the Democratic nominee in the race, will represent the 71st House District, which includes parts of Richmond and Henrico County.

With all precincts reporting, Bourne received 3,708 votes, almost 90 percent of the ballots cast. The second-place candidate, Libertarian John Barclay, got about 7 percent. Regie Ford, an independent candidate, received about 3 percent.

Bourne fill the seat vacated by a fellow Democrat, Jennifer McClellan, who was elected to the state Senate last month.

I look forward to working alongside him in the House.

PHOTO BY TYLER HAMMEL

Del. Chamiele Herring

Bourne has served on the Richmond School Board for the past five years. He will fill McClellan’s seat through January 2018.

At an election party at Southern Kitchen in Shockoe Bottom, Bourne thanked Attorney General Mark Herring, among others, for their support, and he expressed gratitude to his wife and children.

Bourne said his children inspired him to run. He said his goal is to help children who don’t have the same parental engagement his children are lucky enough to have.

“It is incumbent on us as public servants and as leaders of our community to make sure that they have every opportunity to succeed,” Bourne said. “And so that’s what’s going to be my focus — public education and finding common-sense solutions.”

As a member of the Richmond School Board for the past five years, Bourne campaigned on a promise of supporting education.

“It really is a way to address some of the most systemic issues,” Bourne said.

“We have some of the most significantly concentrated poverty in our city, and education could help break that up.”

House Democratic Leader David Toscano of Charlottesville congratulated Bourne on his win.

Bourne will be decidedly in the minority in the House of Delegates: Republicans hold 66 seats; Democrats hold 34.

“Republicans this session killed Democratic bills that would have raised the minimum wage, established paid family leave and helped borrowers refinance student loan debt. Meanwhile, the Republican Caucus focused its efforts on divisive social issues that target women and other marginalized populations,” Toscano said. “Jeff’s voice will provide a much-needed breath of fresh air, and I look forward to working with him as he joins us for the remainder of the session.”

Del. Charniele Herring of Alexandria, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, also congratulated Bourne.

“Jeff is a respected community leader who has honorably served as a deputy attorney general and as a member of the Richmond School Board,” Del. Herring said. “He is committed to expanding economic opportunity for all Virginians, and his service to Richmond’s public schools is testament to that commitment. I congratulate Jeff on his win, and I look forward to working alongside him in the House.”

Bourne will serve the remainder of McClellan’s term, until January 2018.

The seat will be up for election again in November.

The 71st House District stretches from Bryan Park, Scott’s Addition, the Fan and the Virginia Commonwealth University campus on the west, to Church Hill, Fulton Hill, Richmond’s East End and the Ratcliffe area of Henrico County.

Every speaker agreed that while issues of race and research are heavily concentrated on, community tends to be left out at the racial disproportionality and school discipline symposium last Monday at Virginia Commonwealth University’s student common’s theater.

The event began with Kiara Lee, a second year PhD student in the VCU school of Education, presenting a spoken word piece called, “Letter to My Future Son”. Lee used rhymes, vivid imagery, and repetition to convey her message of how poorly society treats black boys.

“Issues of school discipline and the school-to-prison pipeline are often gendered,” said Lee. “We often tend to focus on boys and men of color and how they are victimized, rightfully so.”

With high numbers of students forced out of school, students are more likely to fall behind and face a higher likelihood of entering the juvenile justice system, resulting in what is widely known as the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

The school-to-prison pipeline is a trend where boys and girls, typically of color, in schools are directed down the criminal justice system because of the “zero-tolerance” policy.

Zenobia Bey is a spoken work artist, a mental health counselor, and founder of Community 50/50, a nonprofit organization that prompts positive thinking through the arts. Bey does not think racial disproportionality has to do with race.

“I know a lot of statistics maybe floating around on this projector here but I see this issue first hand everyday,” said Bey. “It is not just about race. This is about culture, a lack of knowledge, a lack of teaching, and a lack of wanting to understanding a generation that’s coming up right behind us right now.”

One audience member believes that racial disproportionality has to deal with socioeconomic factors.

“I don’t think we pay much attention to the correlation between income and social behavior, Former City Councilman Martin Jewell said. “When you got more month than you got money, you got desperation in the household,” Jewell said.

Evandra Catherine is a full time doctoral student, activist, and advocate in the Greater Richmond area. Catherine’s research interest is in the discipline of student with disabilities particularly with black boys.

“I have a son, a 6 year old who has aspergers. When we put him into kindergarten, my son started to get suspended right away,” said Catherine.

“If I hadn’t been a parent who was very active for my son, he could’ve been part of that school-to-prison pipeline.”

Bill Muth, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Teaching and Learning Department at VCU. He serves on he Board of Directors for Hope House: a program that helps families separated by prison to maintain meaningful relationships through literacy projects, video conferencing, and summer camps.

Muth describes an instance where a son connects with his father through a mural event.

“Leaning over is Malik and behind him is a giant eagle reaching out to his father who is falling backward off a cliff and is also reaching out for his son,” said Muth. “Malik is in power with an act of imagination that surmises the strenuous grip of family.”

Trey Volley, a former Richmond Public School teacher asked if there was anything being done about the issue.

“Are we actually coming up with practical ideas to serve the students or is this just a discussion?” asks Volley. “Do we have a plan to actually help these students so we don’t have that school-toprison-pipeline?”

Gina Lyles is the Program Coordinator for ART 180’s Youth Self-Advocacy Through Art program.

This program transports youth from detention center to ART180 and we connect them with the best artists in the city to create their own mediums to try to transform and change policies surrounding the school-toprison pipeline.

Lyles believes the educational system is not giving children what they need based on their circumstances and offers a solution.

“I know that this is an education conference but we also need to look at the needs of the youth because every kid needs something different,” Lyles said. “I think SOLs need to be out of here.”

sports

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 13, 2017

5

Stat of the week:

VCU baseball was picked to finish second in the A-10 preseason coaches poll, finishing just one vote behind first-place Rhode Island.

PRESSBOX

ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editor Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Mohamed Sanu experienced a tumultuous week leading up to the Super Bowl.

Sanu is one of the few Muslim players in the NFL, and fielded a litany of questions regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority nations into the country.

“I’m not here to talk about my religious beliefs,” Sanu said. “I’m here to play football. I’m just going to go out there and play for my teammates and my brothers, my family. I pray we live in a country and a world that can be united. I just want to focus on the game and talk about football.”

The sports world exists in a vacuum — or at least it is supposed to. Until recently, the things many people turned to when they wanted a respite from real life drama were their sports teams and heroes.

This political season infiltrated our precious bubble more than any in recent memory. Nothing was safe from the political calamity of 2016-17, not even the holy grail of American consumerism, the Super Bowl.

That’s all understandable when one puts our political reality in perspective. But for just one night, I implore us all to honor sports for their power to unite rather than divide. Like the Olympics and World Cup, the Super Bowl is a worldwide spectacle intended to bring us together, not create more barriers to set us apart. So I beg you, please — keep your politics out of our Super Bowl.

I get it, the narrative was just too perfect. This matchup was easy to paint in a binary fashion that ran congruent with the current political climate.

On one side, we had the New England Patriots, or, Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire, as you will.

A franchise that has literally won so much people are tired of it, with the most nationalistic mascot in all of sports and a head coach, owner and quarterback who are all either friends of or close business associates with President Donald Trump. The Patriots actually had the unmitigated gaul to make their rally cry “OneMore.”

Then there’s the Atlanta Falcons, or of course, the rebellion; the people’s champ. The “cool” team, a franchise that has never won a Super Bowl, with one of the only Muslim players in the NFL, from the district of Democratic Congressman John Lewis (one of Trump’s most outspoken critics), with a rebellious yet grammatically redundant slogan, “RiseUp.” According to a Public Policy Poll, 27 percent of football fans wanted the Patriots to win the game while 53 percent pulled for the Falcons.

So we all saw the full-scale culture clash here, right?

We all saw the Patriots fans and their army of upperclass citizens wearing Patagonia coats and drinking Samuel Adams, right? We all saw the Falcons fans “RiseUp” to meet their oppressors wearing bedazzled T-shirts and dyed red leather jackets, right? We all saw the war of gladiators played out on the field embody the struggle between fascism and democracy itself, right?

We all became enthralled in the painfully blatant politi-

cal narrative…..right?

Many avid sports fans did not, and neither did Patriots eccentric tight end Martellus Bennett.

“When you look at me, what do you see?” Bennett wrote on Twitter after announcing he would not be partaking in the traditional champion’s visit to the White House. “I know you wanna ask me what sport I play. I mean, what else could I possibly be besides an athlete?”

Bennett is an imposing 6’ 6”, 275 pound whale of an athlete. He is also the author of several children’s books and video shorts, and the “Creative Director of Awesomeness at The Imagination Agency,” according to his Twitter account, @MartysaurusRex. “When you look at me,” Bennett said, “see the father, the awesome dad, the author, film director, business owner, champion, friend, Hufflepuff beast.”

Bennett joined teammate and pro-bowl defensive back Devin McCourty in echoing the infamous protest of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick when the pair raised their fists during the national anthem in September. McCourty likewise joined Bennett in foregoing the trip to Trump’s White House.

“I don’t feel accepted in the White House,” McCourty wrote in a text message to Time’s Sean Gregory.

“With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.”

Athletes are, in fact, intelligent individuals with the power to make their own decisions, not mindless soldiers unwittingly marching to the beat of another’s drum. The Patriots are not Stormtroopers, people.

Bennett and McCourty have been joined by linebacker Dont’a Hightower, running back LeGarrette Blount, defensive tackle Alan Branch, defensive end Chris Long and running back James White in announcing that they will not be making the trip. These high-profile names are seemingly only the tip of the iceberg. Many pundits have begun to speculate as to whether the team will decide to just cancel the trip all together.

Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank, who is Jewish, commented on the cultural narrative before the game while discussing Trump’s travel ban.

“I’m troubled by anything directionally in our country that separates people,” Blank said. “This country was built on inclusion and diversity, on celebration of differences and supporting those differences. I’m opposed to anything that takes away from that. That’s what makes America great — the melting pot of abilities, capacities and commitments to all those people that came from around the world to settle here because they saw a dream and a vision.”

For his part, Brady denies any political affiliation with Trump, who has long been a business partner of Brady’s sports nutrition company, TB12.

“You know, I’m actually an independent and I have been for some time,” Brady said on 60 Minutes. “There’s no doubt this world needs a lot of help.”

Brady’s wife, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, has long been an outspoken advocate for climate change awareness and recently criticized Trump’s travel ban in an Instagram post. In the days before the election,

PHOTO BY BRYAN VLIET

Women’s tennis derails the Dukes

Last season, sophomore Magda Aubets was named to the 2016 Atlantic-10 second team.

ILLUSTRATION BY SKYE ALI

Keep your politics out of our Super Bowl

Bundchen answered “no” when asked if the couple would be voting for Trump.

By the way, during the past six presidential elections, the state of Georgia has voted red five times and the state of Massachusetts has voted blue six times. Just throwing that out there.

It is a common and natural human mistake to place narratives and stereotypes on groups who seem to fit them, especially when, such as in the Super Bowl, the pieces fit so willingly together on surface level.

The problem is that, when it comes to sports and politics specifically, this practice is akin to jamming a square peg into a round hole. To most athletes, coaches, sports journalists, fans and so on, the real implications of political divides feel intrusive because they threaten the sanctity and inclusive nature of the sports world.

“Outside of our little bubble — yikes — it feels toxic leading up to the 2016 election, which is something that actually is important,” said longtime Sportscenter anchor Scott Van Pelt on the eve of Election day. “It’s been exhausting hearing from both sides, nobody has been above reproach here. So let’s just yell at eachother about sports, and convince ourselves how much it all matters.”

As Sports junkies, the Super Bowl is one of our sanctuaries. So please, just for one night, drop the

JESSICA WETZLER Contributing Writer

JAMES MADISON VCU women’s tennis brought home their sixth win this season after rolling past James Madison University 5-2 Saturday afternoon at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.

Sophomore Janina Braun led the path to victory after picking up another win in singles and doubles play.

Braun is now 7-0 in dual single matches and holds an overall singles record of 13-1.

The Rams never looked back after getting off to a hot start by winning the doubles point. The ladies shut down the Dukes by winning 5-2 and maintaining the winning streak.

Braun and sophomore Anna Rasmussen started the party for the Rams. The pair defeated JMU’s Rachel Nelson and Rebecca Harris 6-3. The two have eight doubles wins so far this year.

Moments later senior Darya Berezhnaya and freshman Noumea Witmus defeated Timea Guibe and Jona Roka 6-4 to earn the lone doubles point.

Rasmussen won the first singles match after defeating JMU’s Timea Guibe, 6-3, 6-1 and put the Black and Gold up by two points. She is now 5-2 in dual matches this season.

Braun earned the next point in a hard fought battle with Rachel Nelson on the first court. After dropping the first set 3-6, she bounced back in the next two sets to take a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win.

Berezhnaya contributed a point to VCU’s lead after defeating Jona Roka, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. Berezhnaya is now 4-1 in dual matches this season.

The Dukes made a match of the afternoon when Kimmy Herrock defeated Witmus, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

JMU’s Dylan Owens shook things up further and defeated Araujo, 7-6 (6), 6-1.

After JMU earned their first point of the match, sophomore Magda Aubets collected a win by defeating Emma Petersen to put the Rams ahead 5-1. Aubets holds a 9-5 overall singles record this season.

political narratives. Sports transcend these binaries.

Yes, we get it, we live in a bubble. None of this really matters. Politics matters.

For just one night though, let us live in our glass house without tapping incessantly on the walls.

Again, I beg you, keep your politics out of our Super Bowl.

The problem is that, when it comes to sports and politics specifically, this practice is akin to jamming a square peg into a round hole.

MARSHALL The Rams rallied from a 0-3 deficit to defeat the Thundering Herd of Marshall University by a final of 4-3 on Friday Feb. 10.

The Rams made a remarkable comeback against Marshall, largely thanks to Braun, as she continued to dominate the court.

After trailing 3-0, Braun earned VCU’s first point by defeating Marshall’s Derya Turhan in consecutive sets, 6-4, 6-2. The sophomore now has an overall singles record of 12-1 and remains a perfect 6-0 in dual matches this season.

Berezhnaya picked up the second point for the Rams. After dropping her first set, Berezhnaya rallied to beat Pomyatinskaya, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. The veteran holds a 3-1 singles record in dual play.

Berezhnaya paired up with Witmus to play doubles against Maddie Silver and Rachel Morales. The two tied the match, 5-5. Witmus also competed against Morales in the singles but was defeated, 6-4, 6-1.

Freshman Gabriela Araujo tied things up at three a piece for the Black and Gold when she defeated Daniela Dankanych, 6-1, 6-3. The rookie is sporting a 4-1 record in dual matches so far this season.

Sophomore Anna Rasmussen downed Stephanie Smith in a long three set match, 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-2.

Rasmussen earned the fourth and final point, securing the win for the Rams.

Marshall built their initial advantage by dominating doubles with Derya Turhan and Anna Pomyatinskaya defeating VCU’s Braun and Rasmussen, 7-5.

Marshall won the third and final double with Stephanie Smith and Daniela Dankanych defeating sophomore Magda Aubets and Araujo, 7-5. Silver also defeated Aubets in during the single, 6-3, 6-2.

After reeling off two wins at home, the Rams now hold a record of 6-1 for the season.

The Black and Gold will continue their 10-match homestand when they host Dartmouth College on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m.

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sports

The Commonwealth Times

Women’s basketball drops third straight game VCU travelled to Duquesne University Sunday afternoon, following Wednesday night’s close game in Saint Louis, and fell to the Dukes 70-51. The loss extends VCU’s losing streak to three games and drops the Rams solidly behind Duquesne for the eighth spot in the Atlantic-10 standings.

Senior guard Isis Thorpe and sophomore guard Katherine Strong led the way for VCU. Thorpe finished tied for the team high in points, scoring seven in a starting role. Strong came in off the bench for the Rams, but was still able to tie Thorpe scoring seven points of her own to go along with three rebounds and a steal in 13 minutes of action.

The Duquesne game was reminiscent of the Saint Louis matchup in that the Dukes were able to jump out to an insurmountable 29-6 first quarter lead. Although the Rams would outscore Duquesne the rest of the way, the 23-point deficit proved to be too much for the Rams to overcome.

After going down 29-6, the Dukes extended the lead to 39-15 early on in the second quarter. The Rams were able to pull to within 19 heading into the halftime break after a f lurry of jumpers by Thorpe which included one three-point field goal.

The third quarter was all about defense for the Rams. VCU held Duquesne to 1-of-6 from the f loor during a 2:20 stretch, featuring a 7-0 Rams run and saw the Duke’s lead dwindle to 50-34 with nearly four minutes to go in the third. However, the Rams weren’t able to keep the Dukes down for the entire period.

Duquesne ended the half by rolling

SAINT LOUIS VCU women’s basketball came up just short in their matchup Wednesday night at Saint Louis University, losing by a final of 77-72. The loss was VCU’s 12th of the season, and the sixth to an inter-conference foe.

Wednesday marked the second loss of the season for the Rams at the hands of the Billikens.

In defeat, VCU was led by senior guards Keira Robinson and Ashley Pegram. Robinson finished tied for the team high in points with 12.

Robinson started at point guard and also led her Rams in assists, rebounds, and steals. Robinson appeared to be doing it all for VCU. Meanwhile, Pegram found a way to impact the game substantially from a reserve role. Seven Rams saw more minutes than Pegram did against St. Louis, however, that didn’t stop her from matching Robinson’s scoring output as she posted 12 of her own. Pegram also tallied three rebounds and an assist for good measure.

While VCU was able to make it close late, the Rams trailed virtually the entire night against Saint Louis.

The Billikens jumped out to an early 7-0 lead which ballooned to 12-4 shortly thereafter. VCU responded valiantly, putting together their very own 7-0 run to end the first quarter only trailing by a score of 20-18.

Saint Louis started the second quarter hot. The two sides traded

quick buckets, but shortly thereafter the Billikens proceeded to go on a def lating 8-0 run to push the lead to double digits for the first time.

Saint Louis would go on to outscore VCU 28-15 in the second quarter and nursed a 48-33 lead going into halftime.

Coming out of the halftime break, Saint Louis kept the pedal to the metal, building upon their early lead.

Midway through the third quarter Saint Louis seemed to be comfortably ahead 55-37, but it was at this point that VCU began their furious comeback. Thanks to a 14-6 run by the Rams, VCU was able to pull within ten points heading into the final frame.

Down 61-51 in the fourth quarter, VCU continued to gain on the Billikens. The Rams were able to build upon their third quarter run and eventually took the lead 64-63 after a layup by Pegram. The Rams and Billikens continued to exchange buckets, and VCU built a 72-68 lead late in the final frame.

The Rams furious comeback would be thwarted by clutch backto-back three-point field goals by Saint Louis guard Jordyn Frantz.

The Billikens would hold VCU scoreless over the final four possessions, and put the Rams away for good after sinking three free throws in the game’s final seconds.

Women’s basketball will look to get back on track at home on Feb. 15 against St. Joseph’s University.

The Hawks beat the Rams in their last encounter earlier this season.

RAM IN ACTION

Sam Donko: the dominant closer ADAM CHEEK Contributing Writer

Donko and the Rams open the season on Feb. 17 at Florida State University in a three-game series followed by another three-game set at Charleston Southern University.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY VCU ATHLETICS

VCU closer Sam Donko led the nation with 20 saves last season and this year looks to spearhead a Rams pitching staff ripe with talent and experience.

Following an impressive 38-19 season, VCU baseball ultimately bowed out in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament to Saint Joseph’s University. Donko is confident in the team’s ability to finish off games this season, and hopes to contend for a championship while notching more wins than the already impressive previous season’s total.

“I really hope we can be more competitive in the tournament and, hopefully, come home with a ring,” Donko said.

VCU’s starting pitching staff, as well as the bullpen, returned all of their members from last season, while adding several transfers. The team’s dedication to enacting a strategic schedule helped Donko maintain stamina and arm strength over the course of a season in which he appeared in 30 games.

“Coach did a great job keeping my arm in shape,” Donko said. “And the rotation schedule gave me time off when I needed it.”

Donko began his collegiate career at Iowa Western Community College prior to transferring to VCU. During his two years at IWCC, he led the team to the NJCAA National Championship in 2014, and an impressive fifth place finish the year after.

He credits his level of consistency to many factors, rather than riding solely on his arm.

“I have to thank the guys behind me,” Donko said.

“I’m not a real power guy, but I let the defense play behind me, and they are exceptional.”

Donko’s confidence in the rest of the team greatly improves his performance on the mound.

“With Logan Farrar holding down center field, it makes it easy to throw strikes,” he said. “Knowing the guys behind you are going to make plays for you really takes a lot of stress off of your arm.”

The closer was a 2016 Stopper of the Year award finalist, named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-East Region Team and honored as a part of the All-Conference First Team during his first season at VCU in 2016. He was also one of only five relievers in the country to be named to the NCBWA All-America team.

“It’s a great honor, and means a lot since the other guys you see receive them are great players,” Donko said. “But I couldn’t have done it without the teammates that I have.”

He credited his teammates with much of his success, especially a particular setup man.

“Matt Jamer probably set me up for 15 of those 20 saves,” Donko said. “And the guys around me push me to succeed and make it easier to go out there and perform.”

In the offseason, Donko played summer ball in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, and primarily worked on improving his changeup. His arsenal grew, however, with the valuable addition of a split-finger fastball.

Donko said he is improving his arm strength and accuracy, and takes pride in his ability to progressively pitch deeper into games.

“I really improved on my ability to throw six, seven innings a weekend,” Donko said. “And my ability to keep my arm in shape and go out there every time I’m needed.”

Donko said he dreams of continuing to play ball after his career at VCU.

VCU closer Sam Donko led the nation with 20 saves last year.

CT FILE PHOTO

DUQUESNE

off seven crucial points of their own and went into the final frame leading 57-34.

The Rams were able to outscore the Dukes 17-13 in the fourth, but in the end, the lead proved to be too much to overcome. The Rams fell 70-51 at the A.J. Palumbo Center.

Freshman Jailyn Maddox shot 80 percent and recorded nine points in VCU’s 77-72 loss to Duquesne University.

Lacrosse primed for breakout season

PHOTO PROVIDED BY VCU ATHLETICS

ADRIAN WILSON Contributing writer

This season’s schedule features three NCAA tournament teams from the 2016 season.

LAWRENCE JONES Contributing Writer The VCU Women’s lacrosse team is gearing up for their second season as a recognized collegiate sport and intend on making a name for themselves in the Atlantic 10.

At the start of the inaugural 2016 season, coach Jen O’Brien had 23 players; two transfer players, two players were selected from the club team and 19 recruits. Seven players were freshmen and 14 were redshirt freshmen.No upperclassmen.

No previous records in regards to recruiting.

Fast forward to the 2017 season. The roster is stacked with 30 players. The team already has a few perennial goal scorers in redshirt- sophomore midfielder Sky Hyatt and sophomore attack Molly Barcikowski, who both scored at least at least 20 goals last year while tallying 90 points combined. Both were named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team.

In addition, the Rams are rolling in scoring depth with

other players on the roster such as sophomore midfielder Sofia Edmond and sophomore midfielder Blaire Langeler contributing on attack.

With 10 new players, O’Brien admits there will be some difficulty incorporating them into the Rams’ scheme.

“Our biggest challenge this year will be incorporating 10 new freshmen,” O’Brien said.

“All of which will see playing time.”

Even with the lingering challenges that comes with a new set of players, a sense of excitement and enthusiasm surrounds the team.

“We have a great team chemistry and positive culture that will navigate the ups and downs of the season,”O’Brien said.

The team hopes to make a few changes to their game in hopes of creating better scoring opportunities, especially with clearing.

“We struggled transitioning the ball from defense to offense last year but focused on that aspect of our game this fall and preseason,” O’Brien said.

With the anticipation of more offensive chances, several of O’Brien’s player’s will look to breakout on the attacking end.

Incoming freshmen midfielders Keriann McTavish and Isabella Evans-Reister are expected to be threats on the field.

“We expect (them) to make a big impact on the offensive end,” O’Brien said.

The Rams are expecting much out of themselves this season, especially when it comes to playing teams they dropped decisive games to last year.

“I am most looking forward to playing the teams we lost to last season,” O’Brien said.

“Avenging last year’s losses are a big goal for us.”

VCU’s first match will be against Old Dominion University on Feb. 15 at Cary Street Field.

The first away game this season is against Campbell University on Feb. 24.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 13, 2017

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Rams keep pace with Flyers He added that the raucous crowd at the Siegel Center played a big part in disrupting the Wildcats’ rhythm during VCU’s 96th consecutive sellout.

“This is a big-time environment,” McKillop said. “This is as good a basketball environment as you’d want to play in, and VCU certainly responded to the energy from the crowd.”

While Gibbs had another strong showing with 27 points and 9 rebounds, he was matched on the score sheet by VCU’s JeQuan Lewis. The senior starting guard went on a tear in the second half, scoring 16 points on 5-7 shooting and 3-4 from deep down the stretch.

Including Lewis, the Rams had three players score in double figures compared to the Wildcats’ one. Tillman added an impressive 13 points and a season-high 16 rebounds to move his double-double streak to three games and double-digit scoring run to a career-high 11 contests. Alie-Cox chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 huge blocks.

GEORGE WASHINGTON Saturday’s contest was very much a game of runs. The Wildcats came out of the gates with the hot hand early, jumping to a quick 13-5 lead in the game’s opening five minutes. The two squads traded buckets for the next several minutes, with Davidson holding its biggest lead of the night (8) with just under ten minutes left in the first half.

Following a layup from Davidson’s Andrew McAuliffe gave the visitors a 26-18 advantage, the Rams went on a tear. They closed the half on a 13-2 run, giving the Black and Gold a three point lead heading into halftime.

From there, VCU never looked back.

After trading field goals throughout the second half’s opening 90 seconds, Davidson was able to grab the 34-33 lead following a Gibbs layup.

Unfortunately for the visitors, that would be their last lead of the night.

In the second half, the Rams were on fire. Behind Lewis’ hot hand, the team shot nearly 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep, pushing their lead to double digits just past the halfway point of the period.

With six minutes remaining, the Wildcats were able to cut the lead to eight, but the Black and Gold were having none of it. The Rams responded with a trifecta of threes to push the lead back to 15. Davidson never responded.

In the end, the Rams won by 14, leading their guests in nearly every statistical category, including shooting percentage, rebounding, assists, turnovers, steals and blocks. The win puts VCU back atop the Atlantic 10 standings, tied with the University of Dayton at 10-2 in conference play.

For the second straight game, VCU was able to pick up a win in miraculous fashion as they knocked off the George Washington Colonials 54-53 Wednesday at Foggy Bottom in the nation’s capital.

It was deja vu Wednesday for the Black and Gold, as they were able to come back from a one point deficit with less than half-a-second left on the clock for the second straight contest.

“We’ve got a little flair for the dramatic here,” Wade said in his postgame press conference. “We didn’t have our best stuff tonight and we dug it out and we escaped, so we’ll take it.”

The Rams were led by Tillman’s 11 point, 11 rebound performance, but it was Lewis that played the role of hero yet again. After sinking the game-tying technical foul free throw to take the game to overtime Sunday at St. Bonaventure University, the Dickson, Tenn. native suffered from poor shooting Wednesday. However, after a first half where the senior guard was held scoreless, Lewis was able to rally and score all eight of his points in the game’s final 4:23, including two clutch free throws to seal the Rams’ victory.

“We’re playing with fire a bit, putting ourselves in situations like that, getting out to slow starts,” Lewis said.

The contest was close throughout, with the largest lead held by each team being just five points. There were 10 lead changes and seven ties throughout the game, with the constant back-and-forth action keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

VCU jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the game’s opening two minutes,

but, by the 15 minute mark, the Colonials took their first lead of the night behind a 9-0 run of their own. The home team was able to hold the lead for the next several minutes until, with 7:17 remaining in the half, a pair of Tillman free throws gave the Rams the 14-12 advantage. George Washington was able to push back and take the 23-21 lead heading into the locker room.

Although the lead was just two coming out of the half, it would take nearly seven-and-a-half minutes for the Rams to retake the advantage. After a Yuta Watanabe jumper with just under eight-and-a-half to play, George Washington retook control at 42-41. They would hold the advantage until, with 4:38 left on the clock, Lewis made a three for his first points of the night, making the game all square at 46.

Moments later, an Alie-Cox jump shot would put the Rams back in control. With just ten seconds left on the clock, Lewis, who shoots free throws at over 80 percent on the season, went to the line with his squad up 52-50 and a chance to put the game away. He was unable to convert, giving George Washington one last shot to take the lead or force overtime.

After moving the ball around to find the open man, Watanabe nailed a corner three to put the Colonials up 53-52. The buzzer sounded. The crowd erupted. The game looked over.

We’ve got a little flair for the dramatic here.

Will Wade Head Coach However, upon further review, the officials determined 0.4 seconds remained on the clock — the Rams’ magic number. Wade called a timeout to gather his troops for one last hail mary.

After the timeout, Tillman gathered on the baseline for the inbound.

Lewis positioned himself at the top of the key. As the officials blew their whistles, Tillman began to run the baseline with GW’s Collin Goss guarding. As he moved from one end to the other, Lewis snuck behind Goss and the 6-foot-11 sophomore plowed Lewis over as he moved to trail Tillman.

The officials called the foul and Lewis was headed to the line to shoot a pair.

Wade said it was a play they run in practice every single day and one his squad executed to perfection.

“We call it the ‘hole in one,’” he said. “Really the screen there is usually to get the guy to go around it so that we can free the passer...and I think Mo was actually going to be open if we could get the ball to him, but we would much prefer what happened.”

Lewis stepped to the line looking for redemption and the cold-blooded senior nailed both to bring his team miraculously back from the brink of defeat for the second time in four days.

“Oh, it was time,” Lewis said after the game. “I wasn’t going to miss it again. I felt like I don’t miss free throws. I take pride in them. I missed ones in the clutch today and I couldn’t let that sit in my mind much longer.”

Although the game was another huge victory that put the Rams back atop the A-10 leaderboard, Wade said his team’s luck is bound to run out eventually if they keep letting their opponents stay close at the end.

“We have to quit putting ourselves in these situations,” Wade said.

“There’s only so many rabbit’s feet and horseshoes and all that good stuff.”

The Rams look to continue their winning ways Tuesday as they take on the visiting St. Joseph’s Hawks at 6 p.m.

ATLANTIC 10 BASKETBALL

STANDINGS

(Top): Red-shirt senior forward Mo Alie-Cox helped limit Davidson star Peyton Aldridge to just six points Saturday night.

(Bottom):

PHOTOS BY JULIE TRIPP

— continued from page 1

Senior starting guard JeQuan Lewis poured in a season-high 27 points against Davidson.

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He’s not the only superhero out after dark.

VCU Career Services, now open every Tuesday until 7 pm.

University Student Commons, across from Chick-fil-A. careers.vcu.edu

8

spectrum

The Commonwealth Times

On this day... in 1633 Galileo Galilei is tried for heresy in Rome after claiming the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the galaxy. He died under house arrest in 1642.

FAMILY GATHERING 2017

The Cheats Movement highlights RVA, underground hip-hop at Gallery5

With all that’s going on in the world, it’s very important that we have events that bring people together. We use hiphop to bring the community together.

MUKTARU JALLOH Staff Writer The Cheats Movement held their first annual “Family Gathering 2017” on Feb. 4 at arts nonprofit Gallery5’s event space.

The show featured live performances from several hip-hop acts including Baltimore’s DevRock, Brooklyn-based group Royal Clutch, Northern Virginia’s Tyler Wrighteous and Richmond-based artists Ryan Easter, Noah-O, and collaborative duo SoLuH! (Robalu Gibsun and BSTFRND).

The Cheats Movement was founded in 2011 and is designed to “highlight the very best of humanity” through art, culture, community and hip-hop, according to their website. During the Gallery5 event, the organization stuck to this principle by accepting toys and donations for the MCV Children’s Hospital.

For the past three years, The Cheats Movement, consisting of founder Marc Cheatham, DJ Hip-Hop Henry, co-hosts Gigi Broadway, KB, Rich Hernandez and rapper Roger Tyler, have created a platform for local hip-hop artists to play and premiere their music.

Through the group’s corresponding podcast, the Cheats Movement talks about any and everything related to hip-hop culture, and have consequently created a strong impact on the Richmond hip-hop scene.

The family gathering event exemplified just how far the group as come in the last couple years. The group announced they will be adding to their media repertoire with a photo journal entitled “#WESEEIT.

Part of what makes the group special is their ability to connect and show love to underground artists all across the country. Saturday proved no different when Brooklyn’s Royal Clutch helped headline the show.

The group consists of Reese, Jese and Kos D, and has released three projects thus far. Royal Clutch has started to bubble in the underground scene, in large part because each member’s individual personality helps the group stands out in the midst of a packed New York City hip-hop landscape.

“We’re very eclectic as far as things that influence us and what we try to convey with our music but also we’re rooted in the music we grew up in as far as how we put our bars together,” the group said.

The show was Royal Clutch’s first time in Richmond and the group their trip down south was largely due to the Cheats Movement’s organic relationship to both the artist and fan.

“Cheats hit us up last year telling us he liked our music when he heard our last project. Then we found out we had a mutual friend in Chance Fisher (a local Richmond rapper),” the group said. “From there, it just built. So when he said they were doing the show, it was a no brainer. We had to come.”

Beginning around 9 p.m. the show started with introductions of each crew member. Shortly after, the first act — SoLuH! — came on stage.

SoLuH!’s 2016 project, “Neon Black,” has been released to a receptive audience despite its strong views, and is available on SoundCloud.

Throughout the night, DJ Hip Henry threw on classic instrumentals and invited crowd members and MCs to the stage to freestyle. Building off

the “family” themed environment, at one point the event turned into an event-wide cypher.

After a few other acts touched the stage, Tyler Wrighteous performed a few cuts from his album “9th Nimbus,” gaining a strong response from the crowd. He performed songs including “Matrimony,” the Masegoassisted “Millennium” and “Still Me.” Wrighteous’ performance certainly proved to be a refreshing take from a Northern Virginia artist. Ryan Easter followed Wrighteous, performing with his trademark saxophone which adds a unique element to his stage presence. Another testament to the Cheats Movement’s reach and connection was that Easter drove from Boston just to make an appearance at the event.

As the show rolled on, Royal Clutch appeared on stage and performed songs from their 2015 project “Welcome Back to BKLYN” and 2016’s “DWNTWN Ni**az.” The New York trio made their RVA debut a strong one, receiving one of the loudest responses from the crowd of the night.

Before the night ended, the Cheats Movement revealed their surprise guest — Richmond’s own rapper Noah-O. Alongside DJ Mentos, who was already in the house, the two artists performed their joint album “The Rain,” which released Thanksgiving weekend.

“I just wanna thank y’all for coming out,” Cheats Movement founder Marc Cheatham said. “With all that’s going on in the world, it’s very important that we have events that bring people together. We use hip-hop to bring the community together.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHEATS MOVEMENT

Marc Cheatham, Founder The Cheats Movement

(Above) Jase, a member of the Brooklyn-based hip-hop collective Royal Clutch, performs at Gallery5 during the Cheats Movement’s “Family Gathering” event.

GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer The performance group Postmodern Jukebox performed an array of modern songs arranged into “vintage” genres, such as jazz and swing, on Feb. 10 at The National.

Pianist and composer Scott Bradlee founded Postmodern Jukebox, a music collective — meaning musicians rotate through for recordings and live performances. The group uploads videos of new songs every week to their YouTube page, which has amassed a subscriber count of nearly 2.5 million.

The concert began shortly after 8 p.m. with the group’s arrangement of Carly Rae Jepson’s “Call Me Maybe,” sang by Postmodern Jukebox founding member Robyn Adele Anderson.

Later in the performance Anderson reappeared on stage in a long, 1920sstyle dress.

“Can anyone guess where I got my dress?” Anderson asked the crowd coyly. “Yes, at the thrift shop,” she said, before diving into the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis hit-single “Thrift Shop.”

Anderson was also featured in the original music video for the song before Postmodern Jukebox’s arrangement was released in 2013. The music collective’s rendition has now amassed more than 12 million views on YouTube.

Well-known artists such as American Idol finalist Casey Abrams are often featured in the group’s videos. Abrams was at the performance at The Na-

Sam’s Take

tional, and played the upright bass in addition to singing.

Other musicians included James Hall on trombone, guitar and banjoplayer Bob Hamilton, bassist Chris Anderson, pianist Logan Evan Thomas, and Chloe Feoranzo who played both tenor saxophone and clarinet. Feoranzo was featured in numerous clarinet solos, performing at the front of the stage, alongside Abrams.

The event’s MC, Mario Jose, also sang on several occasions.

“I’ve never spoken or sang in front of a crowd before,” Jose said. “It’s an alternative fact, I guess,” he added, before beginning an arrangement of “My Heart Will Go On,” by Céline Dion.

Costume changes were frequent among vocalists, who included Dani Armstrong who sang Sia’s “Chandelier,” among others, and Richmond-native Joey Cook who performed renditions of The Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah” and Britney Spears’ “Womanizer.”

Makeup, dress and hairstyles ranged in style based on the 1920s, ’40s and ’50s, depending on which era the song was inspired by.

Choreography was prevalent throughout the vocal performances, most notably by tap dancer Anissa Lee, who makes her own costumes. At one point, a “drum-versus-dance battle” took place between Lee and drummer Martin Diller.

The two began by alternating between Lee tap-dancing and Diller drumming on the tap board. After a few rounds, they performed together with Diller drumming on the edge of the board and Lee dancing in the center.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

Postmodern Jukebox puts a spin on modern songs

Members of Pos tmodern Jukebox pose during a promo shoot.

BE PREPARED: John Wick returns with a vengeance in “Chapter 2”

SAMUEL GOODRICH Staff Writer When “John Wick” released in 2014, it was preceded by critical praise and followed by a devoted cult following.

The film was a breath of fresh air after years of bland, lazy action flicks. With fans yearning for a sequel, director Chad Stahelski returned to present the next chapter in the assassin’s story, and the results are explosive.

Taking place soon after the original, “Chapter 2” follows John Wick as he is once-again brought back into the killing business to repay a debt. He is sent to kill a high-ranking assassin whose death

leads to a bounty on Wick’s head.

Similar to the original, “Chapter 2” maintains a simple plot premise to not distract from the action and the film excels at intense fight scenes and impressive gun play. The film steps things up too, kickstarting the action with an opening fight scene that dwarfs anything from the original movie.

Action scenes go on for long stretches of time, constantly changing location and fight styles and turning each battle into a war of attrition. The filmmakers are simultaneously able to bring something new to each set-piece to keep the sequences from going stale. Scenes range from a fight in an underground catacomb

that Wick pre-loaded, to the protagonist battling multiple assassins at once while simply trying to walk home.

Each fight also boasts impressive choreography, pulling off long strings of continuous kills that only cement Wick’s skills. There were plenty of times I found myself in awe of the displays of technical prowess. The cinematography is also beautiful -- employing colorful, and at times artistic, lighting to give each scene more “pop.”

One of my favorite parts of the first film was the concept of an underground assassin organization that had its own code. “Chapter 2” goes even further with this idea, exposing just how far-reaching

the organization runs, while also establishing new traditions.

This development happens during the much-needed quiet time between fights.

I have to applaud the film for not only having extensive dialogue-heavy scenes, but keeping them interesting and relevant. Much of the film’s humor, character and development shine through in these sections.

At the same time, it’s hard to ignore how little Wick himself develops as a character. While this is not a huge drawback, as it’s not the focus of the film, it would have been nice to see him as more multifaceted than just a reluctant, angry killer.

This criticism is only a minor one though. Overall, “John Wick: Chapter 2” is intense, inventive and impressive. It does what every great sequel should do: expands on the solid foundation laid by the original and going new directions by maintaining a similar premise. Any action film that dares to release in theaters has a new gold standard, and his name is John Wick.

Rating: For anyone who is a fan of the original, or those who want a bloody, unrelenting good time.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 13, 2017

D.C.-based muralist shares his experiences as a black artist GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer

The only way you can change the world is through how you’re living.

Aniekan Udofia

PHOTO BY BECCA SCHWARTZ

D.C.-based painter and illustrator Aniekan Udofia spoke on the experiences of developing his career and how race affects the art world at the VCUarts Depot on Feb. 8.

The event was part of the Department of African American Studies’ spring lecture series, “The Black Artist in Perspective,” which is cosponsored by the VCUarts

Department of Painting and Printmaking.

Some of Udofia’s most notable past clientele include Toyota, American Express, Museum of Public Art and The Office of Unified Communications.

Udofia grew his artistic style with small, local projects.

Eventually he joined an eightperson art collective which allowed him to improve, he said. A major turning-point early in his painting career was when Udofia was one of 30

Aniekan Udofia (right) spoke at the Depot about triumphs and tribulations in his career.

ILLUSTRATION BY RACHEL LEE

Colson Whitehead, author of “The Underground Railroad,” presented at James Cabell Library on Feb. 9.

artists from around the country selected to create a mural for Miami Ink. “Once I got paid for that, it wasn’t like an ‘aha’ moment,” Udofia said. “It was like a middle-finger moment.”

He said before that project, many people did not view his art as a money-making venture.

Projected images, including many of Udofia’s D.C. murals, accompanied the lecture. Udofia said he did not begin painting until later in his career.

The first mural shown onscreen was the first Udofia painted by himself, and combines musical elements like a piano, sheet music and a record.

The mural was completed in conjunction with MuralsDC. Udofia said he initially turned down clients asking for murals since he didn’t feel he had the necessary experience.

He didn’t know how to use spray paint and the large nature of murals seemed intimidating, he said.

As a result, Udofia said he “concentrated everything at the bottom where it was safe,” regarding his first work.

Udofia also told the story of his life-long immersion in illustration, which began during his childhood. He said later in life he was encouraged to pursue other interests, but it was to no avail.

“The virus had already been planted,” Udofia said of his desire to draw. “It was out of control.”

Brandi Summers, assistant professor of African American studies, joined Udofia before the audience for a conversation on some of the challenges black artists face.

Udofia said on several collaborative mural projects, he and other artists of color were given inferior housing when compared to white artists, and said “you have to be ready for those kinds of things.” He said Instances like these separate black artists from the project and limit networking and future opportunities.

“The only way you can change the world is through how you’re living,” Udofia said, emphasizing how black artists inspire new generations.

Film Festival connects RVA, the environment LIA TABACKMAN Contributing Writer The seventh annual Richmond Environmental Film Festival showcased local and national documentary films to raise awareness and advocate for environmental issues relevant to the region and the planet from Feb. 6-12.

The featured films were presented throughout the city, including locations at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, The Byrd Theatre and The Science Museum of Virginia.

Dating back to 2008, the festival is the result of partnerships between local environmental advocacy groups the Enrichmond Foundation, the Sierra Club – Falls of the James Group, the Capital Region Land Conservancy and Viridiant.

This year’s opening night took place at the Richmond Public Library and showcased the films “City of Trees” and “Birth of Saké.”

Directed by Brandon Kramer, “City of Trees” is a hard-hitting verité style documentary following the efforts of nonprofit group Washington Parks & People’s attempts to employ people by planting trees in Washington, D.C. “City of Trees” ultimately explores the paradoxical world faced by nonprofits trying to make change.

In “Birth of Saké” director Erik Shirai invites viewers to enter the intricate world of saké brewers at Yoshida Brewery in northern Japan.

Characters range in age from 20 to 70-years-old, and the film examines what it takes to preserve a 2000-year-old tradition in a world dominated by mass-produced goods.

Other films examined issues ranging from the impact of plastic on the world’s oceans to the far-reaching effects of a toxic, but common, ingredient called “fragrance” and the frustrations surrounding attempts to confront corporations about it.

Local businesses, restaurants, lobbying groups and the City of Richmond Sustainability office sponsored the festival and are what allow it to be a series of free events available to the public.

Other sponsors also donated to the festival’s free raffle where participants could enter to win items such as raft trip vouchers, kayak lessons and passes to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

IIMAGE COURTESY OF CITY OF TREES WEBSITE

Author of “The Underground Railroad” and winner of the 2016 National Book Award for fiction spoke at Cabell Library on Feb. 9 for VCU Libraries’ 15th annual Black History Month lecture.

Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” follows the main character, Cora, who is a young slave working on a Georgia plantation. Cora is searching for freedom in South and, later, North Carolina. In writing the book, Whitehead utilized elements of magical realism to convey the literal change of worlds as Cora passed through each state in her journey.

Whitehead said he felt a connection to his heritage while writing “The Underground Railroad.”

“I don’t know if most of my family lived and died in Florida or Alabama, I don’t know where they worked,” Whitehead said. “Representing the true brutality and morality of what my family went through was the real anxiety.”

Whitehead said the writings of Gabriel García-Marquez and Jorge Luis Borges inspired his work, especially their use of fantasy as a literary tool. Whitehead described the magical-realism he employed in “The Underground Railroad” as “level one,” saying his use of such elements were more subtle.

“If I wrote (‘The Underground Railroad’) 10 — five — years ago, I would have written it differently,” Whitehead said, adding that he wasn’t as occupied with establishing set rules for the book’s fantastical elements as he may have been in the past.

Whitehead said the plot undergoes “reboots,” which allows for a larger cast of characters who “auditioned” for the more important roles in Whitehead’s writing process. These characters warranted their own biographical sections and are scattered throughout the book.

Throughout the lecture and question-and-answer session, Whitehead interjected bits of comedy, evok-

ing laughter from the audience. He played Richard Harris’ “MacArthur Park” to describe the feeling of being rejected by publishers in the beginning of his career.

Initially, Whitehead said he had to research and record the era’s history before playing with the book’s reality.

As part of his research, Whitehead used testimonials collected from former slaves by the Federal Writer’s Project, he said. The brutality and reality of the book’s content forced Whitehead to view it more academically and less artistically in some instances, he said.

While the book’s events don’t have a specific date, Whitehead said he wrote it with the context of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 in mind. The 1850 law enabled the capture of slaves who had escaped north, although there is allegory corresponding to modern issues such as the “Stop and Frisk” law, Whitehead said.

“Whether you’re free or not, the same process is happening,” Whitehead said.“In some ways, we haven’t progressed at all.”

Whitehead said part of his reasoning for selecting Cora as the main character was he wanted a female perspective, especially since the experiences of enslaved women were different from those of enslaved men.

For example, women and girls often endured sexual abuse from white men, which is depicted in a section Whitehead read from “The Underground Railroad.”

Whitehead said he examined “dynamic corners” of the master-slave relationship. One of the excerpts he read described the slave catchers, including the line: “In another country, they would have been criminals, but this was America,” describing their pursuit of escaped slaves.

The reading culminated with a long applause from the audience, and many members rose from their seats before Whitehead began to take questions from the audience.

IIMAGE COURTESY OF BIRTH OF SAKE WEBSITE

GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

National Book Award winner combines magical realism with history

9

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opinion

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Letter to the Editor

Monday, February 13, 2017 11

Quote of the week: “The patriarchy is built on social institutions whose fundamental purpose is to degrade and erase women’s sexual and reproductive agency. ” —Shaun Jackson

From top professors:

seven reasons to choose biology as your career Dear Editor: So you want to study biology…Duh! Why not?

Biology is the study of life. It is a very broad and diverse field. It is a natural science. In fact, I consider it as the science of the 21st century. Why? It’s because biology is a field that requires a good understanding of all the other sciences. If you have a good high school level foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, I encourage you to go for Biology as your college major or career.

Biology focuses on the study of living organisms. What is life? How do we protect it? How organisms survive at the molecular, cellular, and anatomical levels? What is the ecological interrelationship one organism has with another? What evolutionary patterns are associated with organisms? These questions are important to living creatures like ourselves and studying Biology is about understanding the answers.

Biology can be divided into a great many subdisciplines such as: genetics, physiology, microbiology, botany, zoology, neurobiology, immunology, ethology, marine biology, ecology, biochemistry, forestry, fisheries, evolutionary biology, pathology, forensics, and paleontology — to mention just a few.

Why study biology?

I asked a number of top professors of biology to satisfy your curiosity. Here are their 7 insightful reasons to study biology:

1) “Why not a biology major? How can you grow and thrive in the biological sciences?” Professor David Zeigler asks you. Dr. Zeigler offers two standard suggestions for choosing a career path: 1) Do something you love (or have a deep interest in); 2) Do something useful that will

benefit society and/or the world. “If you have the curiosity and interest, you will likely do well in biology,” Dr. Zeigler assures you. There are also a great number of professions that can be entered with a degree in biology. Dr. Zeigler states that the great majority of biologists are satisfied with their career choice and could not envision themselves doing anything else in terms of a career.

“Biology is not all fun and games. It requires work and study, but the rewards of real understanding are worth the work,” Dr. Zeigler offers his advice.

2) If you are curious about the living world outside of the protective confines of your house or place of work, and if you see that some part of the natural world is in danger of being destroyed by human activity, and if you want to be in a position to effect change in the way people live and use the environment, here is Professor Les Walting’s advice: Become a broadly trained biologist!

Why? Dr. Walting’s career has had a series of interesting turn but he confidently says from his experience, “obtaining a degree in biology was my ticket to the world.” If you are interested in biology, please try to retain the curiosity you had when you were a kid — it can also be your ticket to the world!

3) According to Dr. Rey Antonio Sia, the career options and opportunities available in the field of Biology are currently vast and increase every year as new advances in the science are made. While Biology as a major allows you to follow the more traditional career paths such as teaching and research at the academic or industry level, it also allows you to take advantage of new interdisciplinary careers such as in the areas of bioinformatics and biomedical engineering.

4) As Professor Jacob Harney puts it, one of the most difficult lessons in biology that everyone eventually experiences is the end of life. As

Dr. Harney explains, life is all around us; plants, animals and humans continue to interact in a world that is changing due to those same interactions. Dr. Harney so much appreciate biology that “there is no greater wonder, no bigger question and no deeper thought than that which focuses on the beauty, mystery and miracle that is life.” Wouldn’t you want to study biology and invest in the understanding of life?

5) Do you have good math and chemistry skills? Are you interested in any aspect of the science of living organisms? Perhaps you should consider biology. If you have a goal of going on to professional schools, such as medical training or going on to get graduate degrees, please consider biology as your major.

“Time is your most important resource. You need to decide ‘who you are’ and what your field will be,” suggests Professor Laura Leff. If you want to go to a graduate school, Dr. Leff wants you to remember that your success will be measured by collecting data and writing papers rather than communication with non-researchers.

“The biggest mistake I think people make when they reach out to prospective advisors is sending out a ‘form letter,’” reveals Dr. Leff.

Then what’s the solution? “Asking a question about a publication they wrote you are more likely to get a positive response.”

6) How much can you earn as a biology major?

“Financial remuneration comes with success, but I would be lying if I said you'd be a millionaire,” suggests Cassone-UKY. However, there are greater reasons to study biology. Were it not for the "green revolution,” in which agricultural research and development led

by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, billions of people across the planet would have starved already, and the future of these billions depends more on biotechnology than ever as the climate begins to change, notes Dr. Cassone.

COLUMN

An ode to self care SHAUN JACKSON Staff Columnist My friends are graduating and leaving — interstate, overseas, places I can’t go visit on a scholarship income — and for better or worse I’ve committed to staying on and studying further. I’m starting to get really panicked about the prospect of being left here alone.

What can I do?

You have to make new friends as you enter this next phase of your life. This is a thing that will happen pretty consistently every five to seven years. Don’t be afraid of it.

Embrace it.

I can’t break up with him because it’ll hurt him so much. I’ve never purposefully and knowingly caused someone that much pain.

Tell your idiot friend that just because he isn’t getting laid whenever he wants, that doesn’t mean women control sex and reproduction. The patriarchy is built on social institutions whose fundamental purpose is to degrade and erase women’s sexual and reproductive agency.

As artists, do we lose our ability to be inspired (and are therefore less creative) as we age?

N BY GAR ETH BE N TA L L

I’m not much of an artist by any means, but I don’t believe your creative output is necessarily tied to your youthful ability to be inspired. Quit being mystified by the process, sit down, and do the work.

AT I O

Let your friend know that pain and vulnerability are not the same thing as weakness.

And that knowing the difference between the two tends to make you stronger.

My friend thinks that society isn’t run by men because women control sex and reproduction by selecting who to sleep with. Why is he wrong?

STR

What can I tell my friend when she says emotions are a form of weakness?

Yes. Those statements are both overtly racist. I don’t even want to HAVE to have this conversation in 2017 yet here we go: if you’re dating preferences sounds like the question above, your dating preferences are racist.

IL L U

You are not responsible for his emotional state. I’ll say it again louder for the people in the back: YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS EMOTIONAL STATE. It sounds like you are being held hostage by your boyfriend’s fragility. That’s disgusting. If you want out of the relationship, get out. Don’t make his weakness yours.

Is it racist when someone says “I’m only attracted to white guys,” or “I would never date an Indian guy?”

Dr. Cassone further notes that the world's population is aging, the necessity to understand the brain and the processes underlying aging will be of critical importance in the future, and as our climate changes, biological research will help us cope with its impact on humans and other life forms.

7) The world needs biologists like never before to solve many of the challenges it faces today. According to Professor Vicari, as the human population continues to grow, and living standards continue to improve, pressure on the natural world to feed, clothe and provide energy for us will test scientists, especially the biologists. As he explains, the problem of how to take millions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere every day — without causing harmful side effects in the process — awaits those who feel inclined to “save the world.” Are you ready to save the world? “You are beginning your career during biology’s “golden age” Dr. Vicari congratulates you.

So how’re you feeling now?

Did any of the reasons resonate with you? Is biology for you? It’s absolutely your call. Before you waste your parents' hard-earned money in added semesters & tuition, and regret later, you need to listen to these experts. If you are going to spend another 30-40 years of your life in biology, you really need to do your homework. I hope the 7 reasons from the top minds to study biology helped you make an informed decision about choosing biology as your major/career.

Kishor Vaidya, Ph.D. Associate Professor, University of Canberra Canberra, Australia

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