A good friend and historian, Chris Graham, just posted this nice bit of background for the laying of the cornerstone of the spanking new Richmond city hall building in 1887: about the man who gave the speech and his apologies to Whites for the burden of slavery in the wake of the crushing of an attempt at Black and White labor and political unity. I love context, it gives the chatter mill around a controversy (or a seemingly non-controversy) a little grist and grit. Tonight, 6:30 pm at VMHC, Coming Together Virginia will host a panel, " Richmond City Hall: The Untold Story ," Tickets are $20. Registration: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/akgzv2y The 1880s were a bubbling cauldron of struggles over the racial character of Richmond's society and future of Reconstruction's progress toward creating a multiracial society. Jim Crow would win that battle and hold it for the next 100 years, but every victory for the side of unity and equity contributed t...
Updates & Announcements A service of THE VIRGINIA DEFENDER newspaper. Editorial Board: Ana Edwards & Phil Wilayto Jan. 13, 2025 Jan. 13, 2025 - On this day in 1968, country singer/ songwriter Johnny Cash recorded the album “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” in front of an audience of some 2,000 prisoners at California's Folsom Prison. His music was noted for its focus on the working poor and social and political issues. Cash, who typically wore black clothes and had a rebellious persona, became known as the “Man in Black.” Virginia Defender Ana Edwards opens the rally held Jan. 8 at Capitol Square. Speaking at the rally were Delegates Michael J. Jones (second from left) and Holly M. Seibold (to Jones’ right.) Photo by Phil Wilayto Prison Justice activists demand ‘Shut Down Red Onion!’ The temperature was freezing and a municipal water crisis had many people scrambling to find bottled water, but more than 50 people still showed up at Virginia’s Cap...