Spectrum editor’s list of films to watch for April 14
“The Fight” (2020) This riveting documentary follows legal battles pursued by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union during the Trump administration, including efforts to reverse the former president’s travel ban on predominantly Muslim nations and his exclusion of transgender personnel in the military. In 2020, the film won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award […]
Black-owned, Richmond music label aims to diversify industry
Anna Parada, Contributing Writer When people hear the name Siren Vibes Records, owners Des Newman and Misha Davis want heads to turn. The new record label currently features artists from Richmond, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia, and it was created with the intention of making the music industry a more inclusive environment, the owners said. […]
VCU faculty, students share personal stories at TEDxVCU event
Sagal Ahmed, Contributing Writer Seven speakers — three VCU students, two alumni and two instructors — responded to a central theme, “Below the Surface,” in Saturday’s virtual TEDxVCU event. TEDxVCU is a partnership between the university and TED, a national nonprofit centered around presentations on technology, education and design. The university group has held events […]
This is Derek Chauvin’s trial. Not George Floyd’s.
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Ten months. It has been 10 months since the murder of a fellow Black American. It has been 10 months since an officer put his knee on a Black man’s neck. It has been 10 months and still no justice. May 25, 2020 is a day that will be remembered forever. […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: My hijab is not oppressive, it is empowering
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, Islamophobia is in the air. The nation of France is finding itself in yet another tug of war with the hijab. A hijab is a cloth worn over a Muslim woman’s head to create a sense of modesty and protect against the male gaze. It is a tradition practiced […]
Family members of Adam Oakes push for anti-hazing legislation
Anna Chen, Contributing Writer Family members of freshman Adam Oakes and a Virginia senator are backing an adoption of stronger anti-hazing legislation more than a month after Oakes’ death at an off-campus Delta Chi fraternity event. Both Courtney White, Adam Oakes’ cousin, and Eric Oakes, Adam Oakes’ father, are pushing to make hazing a felony. […]
VCU plans 2021 virtual commencement, departments plan in-person celebrations
Sahara Sriraman, Contributing Writer With spring commencement drawing closer, VCU’s departments and schools are attempting to organize in-person celebrations to honor students while following COVID-19 safety guidelines. VCU announced on March 25 its final plan: a virtual university-wide commencement. The announcement stated that in-person celebrations would be up to departments and schools. Craft and material […]
Local religious groups celebrate seasonal holidays amid COVID-19, again
Sagal Ahmed, Contributing Writer Local faith-based organizations are celebrating April holidays while following COVID-19 regulations for the second time since the pandemic began. Members of the Grace and Holy Trinity Church, located next to Monroe Park, celebrated Easter this year through a livestream. Reverend Kimberly Reinholz said the congregation switched to the platform three months […]
‘Visceral pain’: VCU student among two killed in consecutive Gilmer Street shootings
Katharine DeRosa, News Editor VCU student Cody Woodson drove seven-hour round trips from his hometown of Buckingham, Virginia, to see his girlfriend Clarisse Liclic during school breaks, Liclic said in a Facebook message. “It was wonderful to know I had been loved by him that much,” Liclic said. Monday night, after walking Liclic to her […]
Positivity drives Gasperini on and off golf course
Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor Trailing the leaders by eight shots with only 12 holes to play at the first golf tournament of the season in Savannah, Georgia, senior Peter Gasperini thought he could work his way at the top. He just had to string a few birdies together to pull within reach. Gasperini looked at […]