‘This is like year zero’: Cross-country looks to bounce back under new coach
Mia Buswell, Contributing Writer When the VCU cross-country team toes the line in its season-opening meet this Saturday, it’ll be the first time wearing a black and gold uniform for almost half the team. The team didn’t compete last fall as its season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since they last ran through […]
Spectrum editor’s list of films to watch for Sept. 1
“At Eternity’s Gate” (2018) This biographical drama looks at the last years of Vincent Van Gogh’s life in southern France between 1888 and 1890. This film examines the art he experimented with during this time along with the mental illnesses he struggled with. Available on Netflix | 78% Rotten Tomatoes “Lady Bird” (2017) This classic […]
Refugees are not here on vacation; they are fighting for their lives
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Take a glance at our lovely nation: the United States. Formerly occupied by American Indians, the nation shifted greatly in regards to demographics once white colonizers made their way to the land. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue and killed off this land’s natives. Columbus himself was an immigrant. […]
U.S. intervention in Afghanistan has done more harm than good
Ishaan Nandwani, Contributing Writer On Aug. 15, the world watched as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul and its government, declaring an end to the Afghanistan War that had waged on for years, and the dawn of a new era of leadership in the country. The outcome, of course, is one […]
A not-so-normal welcome back to college
Monica Alarcon-Najarro, Contributing Writer It was an early summer morning in 2019. I woke up in my bed back at home while boxes filled with dorm essentials and books littered my living room. It was the moment I had been waiting for the entire summer — my freshman move-in day. An exciting new era of my […]
After a year of uncertainty, Richmond museums adjust to reopening while maintaining safety
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor Art institutions in Richmond have begun reopening and preparing exhibits in the midst of increased vaccine distribution. The COVID-19 pandemic caused these institutions to limit visitors and alter exhibits and events in the past year. The Institute for Contemporary Art is planning to carefully advance with the in-person events they have […]
VCU gives half a million for faculty research
Emma Carlson, Contributing Writer VCU has granted half a million dollars to support unique research endeavors of its faculty this year through the annual Presidential Research Quest Fund (PeRQ). The PeRQ offers financial support to select research projects from both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses every year, according to the PeRQ website. This year, […]
Richmond mural project aims to use creativity to highlight underprivileged communities
Angelique James, Contributing Writer Expressive murals and community cleanups are just some of the changes the “More than Art: Inner City Mural Project” are making to the Richmond community. Developed by Crenius LLC, artists are painting artwork on the side of local businesses in order to elevate underrepresented communities. The start of “More than Art” […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: First world privilege at its finest
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, let me start by asking you what’s seeming to be the most controversial question of the summer: are you vaccinated? For some of you, the answer is yes. Others, no. But for most of you, the answer is obvious. You see, the conversation of the vaccine seems to be […]
DePillars building commemoration to celebrate late dean’s artistic, educational legacy
Jiana Smith, Contributing Writer Former VCUarts Dean Murry N. DePillars, known for his wide-rimmed glasses and his pipe, was somewhat of a pleasant presence on campus. As the first Black dean of VCUarts and one of the only Black deans on VCU’s campus in the early ’80s, many students and community members felt a lasting […]