The KKK is at our doorsteps
Thao Ho, Contributing Writer Details in this article may be upsetting to some readers. As students on a liberal campus in an urban environment, we may feel that the world of the Ku Klux Klan and white supremacy is distant, perhaps even disconnected from our day-to-day lives during the post-Donald Trump era. However, just a […]
BHM Profile | Local farmer embarks on a community-led farm initiative
Ebonique Little, Spectrum Editor After several rejected applications for a loan from the Department of Agriculture, local farmer Mark Davis said he was growing impatient. Davis hoped to use a Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loan from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to start a farm rooted in food sovereignty, a concept that gives the consumers […]
Read-in celebrates black identity and personhood through art and literature
Aerin Fortes, Contributing Writer Jiana Smith, Contributing Writer Richmonders came together in a chic, music-filled space for an evening of black art and literature on Thursday at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ annual African American Read-In. This year’s event highlighted five works throughout the museum, each with an accompanying literary piece chosen by the […]
Tea Time with Tagwa: Farewell, Black History Month
Tagwa Shammet, Opinions Editor Tea timers, it’s time to say farewell to our favorite — and shortest — month of the year: Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, we celebrate the accomplishments of black Americans across history. This year, we were super lucky because we got an extra day. While our time has unfortunately […]
Vaila’s View | Filmmakers bring vitality to Black History Month
Vaila DeYoung, Contributing Writer Black filmmakers are one of the most underrepresented groups in the film industry, according to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, a yearly report that documents diversity in Hollywood. Out of 1,300 top-grossing films from 2007-2019, only 12.6% of those films were directed by men of color, and women of color directed less […]
Music continues to change the world: timeless albums by black female artists
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor One of the best things about music is its ability to bring you back to a moment in time or a specific period of your life. It could be the album you listened to during freshman move-in, songs you overheard while riding in the car with your parents as a child […]
Novels by black female writers prove range of writing
Aerin Fortes, Contributing Writer While black culture should be celebrated year-round, Black History Month is a great opportunity to honor influential black figures in literature. Chronically overlooked, here are works by three female writers to remind you of the power of words. I chose them as my top picks with the intent of showcasing the […]
What’s happening: Feb. 26 events calendar
See Something FRI., 2/28 ‘Harriet’ Screening The Activities Programming Board will host a screening of “Harriet” (2019) directed by Kasi Lemmons. The film, starring Cynthia Erivo, tells the story of Harriet Tubman and her escape from slavery. 7:30 p.m., Commons Theater, University Student Commons (907 Floyd Ave.) Free. SAT., 2/29 ‘Interstellar’ Movie Night […]
Cartoonist Keith Knight speaks on race, power of humor at Cabell Library
Jiana Smith, Contributing Writer Students, faculty and visitors listened in shock at Cabell Library on Tuesday as award-winning cartoonist Keith Knight recalled how he was mistaken for a robbery suspect by a police officer while hanging up posters in San Francisco. “He said, ‘You fit the description of someone who’s been robbing apartments in the […]
OMSA lines February with Black History Month events, ‘Shades of Blackness’ theme
Katie Hollowell, Contributing Writer Neon green bingo cards covered tables last Wednesday as hundreds of students joined the Activities Planning Board to guess songs by 2 Chainz, Drake and Chief Keef for Hip Hop Bingo. This was one of the first events to kick off Black History Month this year from the Office of Multicultural […]