February 27, 2017 • Vol. 58, No. 21
The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University
SGA elections • 2 Jequan Lewis • 5 PARK & Morris • 8 Ode to Self Care • 13
An evening with Angela Davis United States, yet extremely important movements and processes have been entirely marginalized,” Davis said when told VCU had not commemorated the 50 year anniversary of the BPP in The second floor of the University Student October. Commons hosted a mass of faculty and students In the 50 years since the rise and fall of the waiting in winding, sold-out lines to hear ProfesBlack Panther Party (BPP), Davis has established sor Angela Davis, Ph.D., — the legendary activist, herself to be one of the world’s leading social educator, scholar and writer — speak in the VCU justice activists. Commonwealth Ballroom on Feb. 24. “I should say that many people assume I was The event, “An Evening with Angela Davis” a leader of the Black Panther Party,” Davis said. was hosted by VCU’s Office of Multicultural “It’s really conflated - somehow that happens when Affairs (OMSA) as part of the Black History you try to recapture history. But I was a member Speaker Series. The event opened with an introof the Black Panther Party, I wasn’t a leader of the duction from graduate student Selamawit Hailu, Black Panther Party.” who succinctly described Davis’ vast accomplishDavis said she was first exposed to the Black ments. Panther Defense Party in 1967, when she saw the Davis first gained national recognition for her now-iconic image of 400 black men and women activism during her time with the Black Panther armed in front of the Alameda courthouse in San Political Party (BPP) in the 1960’s. She gained Francisco during the trial of Huey Newton. international recognition in the early 1970’s when At the time, Davis was studying in the Frankshe was was arrested and jailed for 18 months affurt School at the Goethe University in Germany. ter being placed on FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted “I asked myself, ‘why am I here in Europe?’ Fugitive List. There’s a revolution going on,” Davis said to a During the latter incident, Davis was accused cheering audience. “Everyone wanted to be part of providing guns to the Soledad Brothers — an of the Black Panther Party in that moment.” incident invoking three BPP members who Despite her activism and belief the world has incited riots, killed a prison guard, and then later, changed in many ways, Davis reiterated that “plus also killed a judge. Davis was later acquitted and les choses changent, plus elles restent les mêmes,” released from jail. meaning: the more things change, the more they “It’s very interesting isn’t it that certain aspects stay the same. of black freedom have been assimilated into the narrative of the struggle of democracy in the —contrinued on page 9 SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor
P H O TO B Y FR A N C IS S TE P H EN S
ICA to open in October
McAuliffe vetoes refugee records bill
ALAN RODRIGUEZ ESPINOZA Contributing Writer
PHOTO BY CASEY COLE
For more than two years, the intersection of Belvidere and Broad streets has been a construction zone for the longawaited Institute for Contemporary Arts, but the opening date is now within sight. Touting nearly 41,000 square feet of flexible space, including a 33-foot high central forum, the $41 million ICA will rotate exhibitions every 12 weeks, including performances, films and interdisciplinary programs. The exhibits will also act as classrooms for students to explore the role of art in campus culture. —continued on page 2
Under HB 2002, resettlement agencies would have had to report information, including current locality, on refugees.
PHOTO BY BRIAN VILET
NICK VERSAW Staff Writer
The Institute of Contemporary Art on the intersection of Broad and Belvidere streets will open in October 2017. The ICA will debut the exhibit “DECLARATION,” featuring local and international artists.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill Friday that would have required the state Department of Social Services to publish nonidentifying information for refugees resettled across Virginia. “Many individuals and families placed in Virginia through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program are fleeing governmental oppression, persecution, and violence,” McAuliffe said in his veto statement. “Many leave their countries because they are targeted by their home country’s government, often for helping to further American interests. Disclosing such information in this political climate not only sends a message of discrimination and fear, but it also poses a real danger to many of our newest Virginians.” House Bill 2002, introduced by Del. Charles Poindexter (R-Franklin County), would have required immigrant resettlement agencies, such as the Catholic Diocese and the U.S. State Department, to report demographic information on refugees, including the total number of refugees, the localities in which they have been placed and other facts, to Virginia’s Department of Social Services. —continued on page 3