The Commonwealth Times; September 20, 2023

Young voters cite abortion, climate change as important issues this upcoming election

TARAZHA JENKINS

Contributing Writer MAEVE BAUER

Contributing

Writer

Virginia voters and candidates are prepping for an odd-year state election, with reproductive rights, education and a cluster of candidates on this November’s ballot.

23% of eligible young people cast a vote in the 2022 midterm election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE.

“It would be unfortunate — because young people aren’t voting or getting involved for us to go backwards, for us to not keep all the amazing progress we made,” Arrington Evans, an undergraduate student and former intern for Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan said.

Evans said she wants to get more young people involved and informed.

“It’s about spreading information like wildfire, I don’t think people are aware of the incumbents and the work the incumbents have done that we should be fearful of,” Evans said.

For many students on campus, like Planned Parenthood Generation Action member Ray Balleisen and Ella Cabel, this is their first time voting.

When selecting a voter, Belleisen said they want someone who is focused on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and the environment.

Cabel, a first-year student who is registered in Henrico, shared similar concerns to Balleisen, saying she wants “people that want to save the planet and treat people like humans.”

“Abortion, abortion 1000%, it’s a big topic right now. Abortion. Women’s health rights,” said Cabelt. “I want a prochoice candidate.”

Each seat in the Republican-led House of Delegates and Democratic-led Senate are up for election, and each legislative chamber is up for grabs as Democrats or Republicans could become the majority of each.

The GOP currently holds a slim majority in the House with 49 Republicans and 46 Democrats, and the Democrats lead the Senate with 22 to 18, the General Assembly website states.

Senate Democrats jammed Republicans’ efforts to repeal restoring voting rights to individuals who were convicted of a felony, advancements toward Youngkin’s parental agenda, and bans on reproductive healthcare access, during the Governor’s first two years in office, according to the Washington Post.

Virginia is the only state in the South that has not restricted or banned abortion

access since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade ruling. Gov. Youngkin and GOP legislators seek to change the state’s direction on abortion.

The Republican governor pushed for a 15-week abortion ban a day after the Roe decision was overturned. The ban would have exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s life, according to Virginia’s Legislative Information System. Abortion is still legal in Virginia, however, the state bans abortion after 26 weeks and six days of pregnancy, Planned Parenthood website states.

Abortion and healthcare have been a “get-out-and-vote” topic amongst Virginia Democrats.

Susanna Gibson, a nurse practitioner, won the Democratic primary in June for House District 57. Lauren Chou, a spokesperson for Emily’s List, told the Associated Press the overturning of Roe v. Wade sparked Gibson’s political career.

Gibson is running against Republican David Owens, a businessman, to represent District 57 in a critical House race. The district includes suburbs outside of Richmond in Goochland and Henrico counties.

Screenshots of Gibson on Chaturbate, a pornographic website where viewers can watch a webcam livestream, were shared to the Associated Press, causing a scandal in one of the state’s most closely watched races. The videos showed Gibson and her husband having sex.

Gibson told the Associated Press that spreading the videos were “an illegal invasion of my privacy designed to humiliate me and my family,” and “the worst gutter politics.”

The Democratic candidate will push for “common-sense gun laws,” and increased compensation for educators in Virginia, according to her campaign website.

Owen supports Youngkin’s 15-week abortion restrictions.

“For us to think that it will never get to the point — with the current makeup we have now — of outlawing abortion, I don’t think we’ll get there,” Owen said in a recording obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “And personally, I am pro-life, and we need to start saving some of the unborn children.”

In the same recording, the GOP candidate said he will have “conversations” with State Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-12, about how they could change the current laws if he were elected to the House of Delegates.

Dunnavant, a practicing OB-GYN, will face Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-72, in Senate District 16, another high stake race over Henrico County.

Dunnavant supports abortion

restrictions but “not a ban,” she said in a forum with VanValkenburg last week.

VanValkenburg said he supports the legalization of abortion.

“Rather than focusing on and prioritizing taking away women’s rights, we should be focusing on other issues like lowering healthcare costs,” VanValkenburg said at the forum.

Incumbent Del. Rodney Willett, D-73, debated with opponent Republican Riley Shaia this past Monday. Both candidates are running for House District 58.

Both candidates are against Youngkin’s 15-week abortion ban.

“While I respect everyone in my party’s opinion, I believe that we should allow abortion through the second trimester and then in the third trimester for the life or health of the mother,” Shaia said at the debate.

Republican Juan Pablo Segura will face Democratic prosecutor and former CIA officer Russet Perry, in one of the most expensive Virginia state elections. The candidates are vying to represent Northern Virginia Senate District 31, which includes parts of Loudoun and Fauquier county, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Early in-person voting begins on Friday, Sept. 22. Voters can apply for an absentee ballot until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. The last day to register to vote and update voting information is Monday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 4 is the last day to vote early.

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 6 a.m. through 7 p.m.

More races to watch:

House District 82: Republican Del. Kim Taylor and Democrat Kimberly Pope Adams (Petersburg and Dinwiddie County)

House District 21: Democrat Josh Thomas and Republican John Stirrup (Prince William County)

House District 97: Republican Del. Karen Greenhalgh and Democrat Michael Feggans (Virginia Beach)

Senate District 24: Democratic Sen. Monty Mason and Republican challenger Danny Diggs (York County and portion of Newport News)

Stories of the week

national: House Republicans holding first Biden impeachment hearings next week.

international: Death toll in Libya continues to rise after collapse of two dams caused major floodings.

Graduates, faculty rally on Virginia Tech campus, announce two new unions

JACK GLAGOLA

Contributing

Writer

Graduate students, faculty and Blacksburg residents crowded around the Graduate Life Center on Virginia Tech’s campus on Sept. 5 to launch two new unions: United Campus Workers – Virginia Tech, or UCW-VT, and the Graduate Labor Union, or VT GLU.

UCW-VT is an affiliate of the national United Campus Workers organization and the Communication Workers of America, while VT GLU is affiliated with the Virginia Education Association, according to a press release.

The event featured a march around campus with slogans and creative signs. Undergraduate students boarded and disembarked buses while various UCW faculty, VT GLU students and members of the Blacksburg community spoke on the steps of Burruss Hall, the university’s administration building.

Among the speakers from outside Blacksburg was Kristen Reed, an assistant professor in the Focused Inquiry department at VCU and the chair of VCU’s UCW chapter.

“My department at VCU, we’re getting our ass bullied,” Reed said, referring to the firing of 14 Focused Inquiry professors last month.

Reed called for solidarity with universities across the state.

“I’m here to say we’re not going to take that at VCU, we’re not going to take that at UVA, we’re not going to take that at William and Mary, and now we’re not going to take that here at Virginia Tech,” Reed said.

Reed said the fight is for living wages, better housing and better institutions.

said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Cori Ruktanonchai, a collegiate assistant professor at Virginia Tech before the rally, said“It’s a day of saying ‘we are here.’”

“We are here and we are what makes this university work,” Ruktanonchai said.

The keynote speakers on the lawn included James J. Fedderman, the president of the Virginia Education Association, or VEA, the largest teachers’ union in the state.

“Today is a great day in the commonwealth of Virginia. This is going to be the start of great and amazing things for other colleges and universities across this great commonwealth,” Fedderman said.

Fedderman called on the audience to spread the word about the rally.

“We’re not going to be sold out, we’re not going to be exploited, we’re going to get the respect because we are not going to be quiet,” Fedderman said.

Fedderman closed his speech with a comment on the temperature, which stood around 90 degrees.

“Anything that cooks is good, and a union is good for the soul,” Fedderman said.

living wage.

“We are providing a service to not only Virginia Tech, but to the greater scientific and academic community. This world needs us, this world loves us, and we need to be loved back,” Ross said.

On the steps of Burruss Hall, Brandy Faulkner, a professor at Virginia Tech and a founding member of UCW-VT, brought up racial inequities as a reason to unionize.

“I stand here today for those who have challenged racism, only to receive letters of non-reappointment. No reason given, but we all know exactly why,” Faulkner said, the crowd concurring with boos.

Faulkner said that unions stand for everyone, from professors to students to janitorial staff.

“I stand here today because I can. We are the best of us when we love, protect and respect those considered the least of us. That’s what our union is about,” Faulkner said.

“We are going to do what is right for the entirety of the commonwealth. That’s our commitment to you,” Reed

Tarisa Ross, a second-year Ph.D. student in the geosciences department, said in a speech that graduate students deserve a

We’re not going to be sold out, we’re not going to be exploited, we’re going to get the respect because we are not going to be quiet. Anything that cooks is good, and a union is good for the soul”

James J. Fedderman, president of

the Virginia Education Association

VT staff, alum and more at rally

Photo by Jack Glagola

Virginia General Assembly slashes sewer redevelopment budget

the problems CSOs bring. He believes there is room to be positive while still working to improve the land and water of our community.

that she is disgusted with the idea that the river would overflow with sewage.

“The James River is overflowing with sewage water and that is disgusting due to the fact it can cause illness and a rise of disease due to people’s feces, ” Bausas said.

Another Richmond resident Thienthanh Nguyen is concerned about the decrease in funding to prevent flooding.

“[I’m] grossed out, I’m glad that I don’t swim in it [the river],” Nguyen said.

Local Taylor Hodge has never swam in or been to the river but was unsettled by the idea of the river flooding when informed about the budget cut, she said.

“I like to say it’s important to celebrate our successes while continuing to demand more progress, more funding, and more inclusion in the processes that distribute resources to environmental actions,” Hoffman said.

Local, state and interstate policies, such as city wide climate adaptation plans, the Virginia Clean Energy Act and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, are also positive markers on the progress of environmental policy, Hoffman said.

Elizabeth Bausas, a Richmond resident, stated

“I am outraged, livid, gobsmacked because it’s going to overflow and there’s going to be poop water everywhere,” Hodge said.

Audience Editor Andrew Kerley contributed to this article.

Illustration by Liv Weatherford

I am outraged, livid, gobsmacked because it’s going to overflow and there’s going to be poop water everywhere.”

Taylor Hodge, a local resident

Stat of the week

VCU women’s soccer secure first Atlantic 10 win against cross-town rivals

BERSABEH KEMAW

Staff Writer ERICA SIMPSON

Contributing Writer EMMA SCHIRMER

Contributing

Writer

The VCU women’s soccer team defeated the University of Richmond with a 1-0 win, continuing their winning streak against the Spiders.

Despite their past victories, the Rams did not come into the game taking it lightly, according to VCU head coach Lindsey Martin.

“They were tough to break down,” Martin said. “Credit to Richmond, they were organized defensively and credit to us that we respect every opponent and come out with energy and enthusiasm.”

This is the black and gold’s first conference game of the season, according to VCU Athletics.

The Rams dominated possession, ending the game with a total of 21 shots on goal, according to Martin.

“We didn’t have to defend in our own half more than four to five times in the course of the game,” Martin said. “That can look easy sometimes but it’s not, you have to stay tuned in mentally, be aware of counterattacks and be sharp.”

There was a lot of back-and-forth between both teams, with the Spiders receiving a foul early in the game, awarding a free kick to VCU sophomore forward Kendyl Sarver at the six-minute mark.

The Spiders had to make multiple defensive plays in the first half, resulting in offensive throw-ins for VCU.

The Rams had two consecutive corner kick opportunities by redshirt senior midfielder Anna Bagley in a span of 42 seconds.

It was a slow first half for both teams, with no goals going into the second half, according to Statbroadcast.

Richmond graduate student midfielder Caitlin Sutton received a foul four minutes into the second half.

There was a back-and-forth in fouls between both teams, resulting in multiple free kicks.

The Rams and the Spiders made many substitutions that led to shots on goal, renewing liveliness on the the field and into the stands.

As a player, being ready to go in is key, according to VCU junior forward Paige Hoeger.

“The energy starts on the bench,” Hoeger said. “Keeping the energy high and continuing that on the field.”

There were a total of 12 attempts made on goal, with five of them being from VCU junior midfielder Kanna Matsuhisa.

Her confidence in her 1-on-1 skills contributed to her offensive pressure, according to Matsuhisa.

“Obviously they’re Richmond, they’re gonna scout on our team,” Matsuhisa said. “Trying to be aware that there’s a defender around me and believing in myself is a good cue to take on a defender.”

Hoeger scored after only being on the field for five minutes, breaking the tie at the 76-minute mark

Every shot matters, Hoeger said.

“Just playing every game like it’s your last,” Hoeger said. “When you get a shot, make it count.”

Towards the end of the game Richmond had yet to score, which resulted in a yellow card against Spiders senior defender Casey Merz for unsportsmanlike conduct, according to Statbroadcast.

Both teams tried to make a lot of moves on the field offensively contributing to a high number of throwins as the game came to a close, according to Statbroadcast.

The Spiders maintained momentum defensively throughout the game, finishing with a total of 11 saves by Richmond senior goalkeeper Taylor Montague.

The Rams held out until the final whistle blow, ultimately securing their win against Richmond.

It’s no secret that Martin loves to win, as this is her hundredth win as head coach of the team, she said.

“It’s exciting, and to get it with this group that I so much enjoy working with means even more,” Martin said.

The Rams are confident as they prepare for the remainder of their season, according to Matsuhisa.

The VCU Rams will be going to Rudd Field in Amherst to play the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m.

VCU women’s soccer held Richmond to two shots in their 1-0 win on Sept. 14, according to VCU Athletics.

It’s exciting, and to get it with this group that I so much enjoy working with means even more,”

Lindsay Martin, head coach

VCU senior midfielder Anna Bagley crosses the ball.

Photo by Andrew Hill

VCU women’s soccer bench celebrates team’s success.

Photo by Andrew Hill

Richmond coaches compete in annual cook-off

BERSABEH KEMAW Staff Writer ALEXIS WASHINGTON

Contributing

Writer

Richmond held its annual coaches cookoff in support of Commonwealth Autism at Main Line Brewery on Friday, Sept. 15.

Main Line Brewery hosted the event for the first time, according to Gary McDowell, one of the owners of the brewery.

“This is the first year we’ve done it and I actually thought it was really cool,” McDowell said. “We know a lot of the chefs and restaurant owners.”

Main Line Brewery and Commonwealth Autism worked together to prepare for this event, according to McDowell.

“We met with them, probably for six months off and on to get all this arranged as they laid on the entire property,” McDowell said.

There were local restaurants in attendance, as well as sponsors such as Sentara, NBC 12, RVA financial, Hunton Andrews Kurth and Performance Foodservice, according to Commonwealth Autism.

Odom is looking forward to being back on the east coast and continuing to build on the elite basketball tradition here in Richmond, he said.

“The first priority is helping these guys [men’s basketball players] achieve their goals and continuing to strengthen the connection to the city,” Odom said.

Odom assisted chef Michelle Williams in making shrimp and grits for the cook-off.

“Michelle Williams is an amazing chef and was a great teacher today,” Odom said. “So you can call me the sous-chef.”

The coaches had 30 minutes to prepare a dish in hopes of being crowned the best chef in Richmond.

VCU’s shrimp and grits was a runner up to VSU’s boudin, cooked by coach Domond and chef Brittanny Anderson.

Fundraisers, like the annual coaches cook-off, help Commonwealth Autism expand their organization, according to Hart.

“It costs money to run these types of programs and we really appreciate you purchasing tickets and coming out tonight,” Hart said.

Commonwealth Autism purchased Good Foods Groceries to train and help provide jobs for people on the spectrum, Hart said.

“We’re planning on investing in a workforce program where we can train students aging out of the highschools,” Hart said. “To help them get job and life skills and ultimately get long term employment that is sustainable.”

There were a variety of food options available for guests to try, such as shrimp and grits, jambalaya, gumbo and boudin. They also had cornbread, ice cream sandwiches and cookies as sides and desserts.

The coaches in attendance were VCU basketball head coach Ryan Odom, Virginia Union University head coach Tierra Terry, University of Richmond head coach Chris Mooney and Virginia State University head coach Nadine Domond, according to Commonwealth Autism.

VCU brought their school spirit to cheer on Odom as he made his first appearance in the cook-off, with cheerleaders and Rodney the Ram.

Odom said he was excited to participate in this competition and help a great cause.

“It was great meeting all the chefs,” Odom said. “It was very competitive and fun at the same time. Everyone loves food.”

The Richmond community came out in support of the event and cause.

There was live music, beer and a live testimony from a family whose child is on the spectrum, after the winners were announced.

Commonwealth Autism is a nonprofit organization that was created to assist families with members that are on the spectrum, according to the nonprofit’s president and CEO Tyler Hart.

“Commonwealth Autism provides support services for families that are experiencing autism,” Hart said. “If you have a child that needs to be diagnosed, we can help you find an assessment clinic that doesn’t have a really long wait list.”

Commonwealth Autism celebrated their 10 year anniversary this year, according to Hart.

“It started before the pandemic,” Hart said. “It was always done for Positive Vibe Cafe, but after they closed because of COVID, we hired the person who was the executive director after COVID to come and work with us.”

It was great meeting all the chefs. It was very competitive and fun at the same time. Everyone loves food.”

Dave Giffard, head coach

Head coach Ryan Odom cooking at Richmond Coaches’ cookoff. Photo by Anthony Duong

Illustrations by Lily Higgins

VCU MEN’S SOCCER TIE with the St. Louis Billikens, 0-0

ERICA SIMPSON

Contributing Writer VIOLET VELASQUEZ

Contributing

Writer

VCU men’s soccer held its ground this past Friday night against the No. 12 St. Louis Billikens, with a 0-0 tie.

This is the healthiest the black and gold have been all season, which provided much needed energy, according to head coach Dave Giffard.

“We’ve had injuries, injuries, injuries everywhere,” Giffard said. “This week was the first time that we’ve had almost everyone available, and the result showed in performance.”

VCU held their own against the Billikens, who ended the game with a total of 15 fouls, according to Statbroadcast.

The game was intense from the start, with Rams junior forward Camilo Comi receiving the first foul 55 seconds into the game.

The aggression remained obvious throughout the first half, with Billikens receiving a foul at the 10 minute mark, awarding a free kick to VCU freshman defender Leonel Vergara.

The crowd stood to their feet during a heated play between Saint Louis’s redshirt sophomore defender Galen Flynn and the black and gold’s junior forward Camilo Comi 10 minutes into the game, resulting in a free kick awarded to VCU.

It would continue to be back-andforth in fouls received and awarded to both teams, according to Statbroadcast.

St. Louis freshman midfielder Carlos Leatherman received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct after being substituted five minutes prior.

The Rams had a slow offensive first half, as they ended with three shots on goal going into the second half.

VCU sophomore defender captain Gerardo Castillo said that there was a

lack of communication on the field.

“We needed to start talking to each other and supporting each other,”Castillo said.

VCU used halftime to recharge and began to assert offensive dominance as soon as the clock started, with four shots taken in the span of six minutes.

There were many good looks in the box, 13 out of 16 of their shots on goal were on target. Five of them were taken by freshman midfielder Andrey Salmeron

“Unfortunately, they didn’t go in but I was looking throughout the game

to St. Louis’s sophomore Max Floriani.

A red card was issued to St. Louis’s sophomore defender Matthew Wrobel for unsportsmanlike conduct immediately after the free kick.

This resulted in a last minute momentum shift for VCU.

The Rams collected a series of corner kicks during the last few minutes of the game, and the Billikens collected their last few fouls resulting in a tie game, according to Statbroadcast.

The Rams displayed perseverance and

“This is the first time all season we’ve had this many players available, and as the game went on, you can see the quality and ability the group has,” Giffard said.

The Rams have been met with a series of tie games and losses but have yet to secure a win this season.

With a dramatic change to the roster compared to last season, the Rams are beginning to learn their playing style as a team, according to Giffard.

“The players know that when we have our group we are as talented and as good as

VCU junior forward Camilo Comi attempts a shot at goal. Photo by Andrew Hill

VCU freshman midfielder Andrey Salmeron dribbles past SLU defender.

Photo by Andrew Hill

Scouting Report:

VCU vs. St. Louis

VCU’s women’s volleyball will face off against Saint Louis University on Sept. 22 in St. Louis, Missouri. The CT Sports staff chose their notable players for this matchup.

GAME RESULTS

SEPTEMBER 14

WOMEN’S SOCCER VS. RICHMOND WON 1-0

SEPTEMBER 15

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY VS. CNU XC INVITATIONAL FINISHED FIRST

MEN’S CROSS VS. CNU XC INVITATIONAL FINISHED 2ND

WOMEN VOLLEYBALL VS. SOUTH CAROLINA LOST 0-3

WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY AT SAINT JOSEPH’S LOST 0-2

MEN’S SOCCER VS. SAINT LOUIS TIE 0-0

VCU Rams

ALEXIS WASHINGTON

Contributing Writer

Kialah Jefferson - The junior outside hitter has been dominating in the lead for kills. She has been the leader for kills the past three games and leader in points two out of the last three games. This season alone, Jefferson has met her season high with 23 kills against California Polytechnic State University, according to VCU athletics. Her ability to kill the ball is nothing new to VCU. Last season, she recorded multiple double-digit kills games, including her final four contests of the season in a row, according to VCU athletics. In the team’s last matchup against James Madison University, she had the most attacks, with 32, according to stat-broadcast. Jefferson is a well-rounded player by attacking and killing the net.

KYLER GILLIAM

Contributing Writer

Jasmine Knight - The senior middle blocker is currently one of the top defensive performers this season for the Rams. She is the team leader in blocks this season, with a total of 23. She’s building off her junior campaign where she had 112 blocks and her second consecutive season with 100 or more total blocks, according to VCU athletics. She reached her season high in blocks against Cal Poly with seven and is coming off a season high in kills with 11 against Eastern Kentucky, according to VCU athletics. Knight will be a defensive key for the Rams in their upcoming match against Saint Louis.

Saint Louis Billekens

NATHANIEL SEMUNEGUS

Contributing Writer

Emily Henken - In her senior year, outside hitter Emily Henken currently leads her team in kills with 150 so far this season. In a matchup against New Mexico State, she led the team with 18 kills in a 3-1 loss. Last season, she registered 14 double digit kill matches and six double-doubles on the season, a two-time Atlantic-10 player of the week winner, and ranked 10th in kills per set (2.81), according to the Saint Louis Billikens. She is currently on a sixmatch double digit kill streak and has reached double digit kills in nine of her first 11 matches of the season.

ANDREW MCGHAN

Contributing Writer

Delaney Rice - The senior right side hitter is currently second on her team in kills with 135 and second in points with 153. The only player ahead of her in kills and points is Emily Henken. Over the last five matches, Rice has scored 10-plus kills, according to St. Louis athletics. Rice so far in the season has seven games where she went over double-digit kills. Last season Rice tied her career high in kills with 18 against VCU, according to St. Louis athletics. She also scored 15 kills in the second match against VCU.

PICK OF THE WEEK

San Francisco’s talent depth is too much for the New York Giants

MALACHI KEYS

Contributing Writer

This week’s pick is the San Francisco 49ers defeating the New York Giants in week three on Thursday Night Football.

A red-hot Brock Purdy and his 49er offense will take on a struggling Giant offense, quarterbacked by Daniel Jones, and expect it to be a blowout.

With the dynamic offensive weapons

on the 49ers such as Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, San Francisco should have no problem moving the ball against a New York defense that allowed 40 points in week one to the Dallas Cowboys.

Not only are the 49ers better on offense, but they’re also stout defensively. The Giants will have to go up against the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Nick Bosa and his fear-mongering pass rush.

New York’s bread and butter is typically running the football and setting up play action, but they will likely be stifled by San Francisco who had the second-best rushing defense in 2022 according to Pro Football Reference.

Look for two of the league’s best linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw to shoot gaps in the running game and to confuse and frustrate Daniel Jones on passing downs.

SEPTEMBER 16

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY LOST 1-3

SEPTEMBER 17

WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY AT COLUMBIA WON 2-0

WOMEN’S SOCCER AT GEORGE MASON WON 5-0

Illustrations by Killian Goodale-Porter

On this day

‘MUSIC BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER’: FESTIVAL INSPIRES

YOUTH TO POSITIVE CHOICES, CAREERS IN THE ARTS

ANNA LOPACKINSI

Contributing Writer CLAIRE DAVISON

Contributing Writer

People gathered at Dogwood Dell Amphitheater on Sept. 16 to support local musicians and small businesses at the second annual RVA Music Fest.

The event aims to support and unite Richmond’s youth through music, according to Jasmyn Buckingham, founder of the festival.

“RVA Music Fest was created in response to the senseless murder of Xavier Brown, an inspirational 23-year-old chef who positively influenced the Richmond community,” Buckingham said.

Due to the nature of Xavier’s death, Buckingham founded RVA Music Fest in September 2022, with the purpose of shedding light on the need to support the youth and prevent them from engaging in illegal activity, she said.

“Our founders recognize the importance of starting with our youth to positively change the community,” Buckingham said.

The festival focuses on inspiring youth to make positive choices and pursue careers in the arts through the inclusion of local artists, Buckingham said. The lineup for this year’s Music Fest featured local R&B artists Forever Mason and Mikey Amore.

“I believe the music scene is important in Richmond because it gives us a voice and a creative way to express ourselves,” Amore said. “So when the community and youth can see people from their hometown doing dope things like that or events like the RVA Music Fest, it’s something they can personally relate to.”

Amore, a VCU alum and Richmond native, has been pursuing his music career for three years and has two songs, “Lover Boy” and “Demon Time,” he said. The R&B and hip-hop artist was chosen to play at RVA Music Fest by having the most Instagram mentions during a competition.

I believe the music scene is important in Richmond because it gives us a voice and a creative way to express ourselves. So when the community and youth can see people from their hometown doing dope things like that or events like the RVA Music Fest, it’s something they can personally relate to.”

Mikey Amore R&B artist and VCU Alum

“This will in turn hopefully grow into tradition, and later snowball into bigger and better things for not just RVA’s music scene, but for the entire city,” Amore said.

Amore said events like RVA Music Fest show that Richmond “has something great to offer.”

“Music brings people together, and that’s

something that I want to see and a value I want to see grow to something bigger than what it is within Richmond,” Forever Mason said. “That’s why I hope this event continues annually.”

I think music brings the community together, it tells the story of the community. It provides the youth a safer way to express themselves.”

Chyna Price RVA Music Festival Attendee

Mason believes exposing kids in Richmond to the success of local musicians and showing them that music is an outlet will not only deter them from walking a bad path, but also create a sense of togetherness among locals, he said.

“There’s a VA two-up-two-down saying

to show that Virginia is for lovers, so we want to bring that to the event,” Mason said. “There’s a lot of people who might tell you that you can’t make it. That’s something you do not want to listen to. Be who you want to be, no matter what they say. No matter what they do, just be yourself.”

That’s the message RVA Music Fest hopes attendees take away from the event; to continue to bring together the youth and connect them with a positive outlet in music, impacting Richmond’s community for decades to come, Mason said.

Attendee Chyna Price said she came to the event to support the cause.

“I think music brings the community together, it tells the story of the community,” Price said. “It provides the youth a safer way to express themselves.”

RVA Music Fest performer

Photo by Maggie Root

On this day in 1870, Italian troops occupied Rome and captured it, which marked the final event of the unification of Italy.

RVA Music Fest performers

Photo by Maggie Root

Film festival brings Black creatives into emerging artistic spaces

KERRI GENTIUS

Contributing

Writer

When people think about the darkness of Richmond’s history, it is a very exclusionist history, as it is designed to oppress, suppress and marginalize, said Enjoli Moon, founder and creative director of the Afrikana Independent Film Festival.

As Richmond evolved a non-existent downtown to an emerging arts district in 2013, Moon noticed its Black population wasn’t being represented, Moon said.

“As you saw these buildings go from dilapidated to revitalized, they were all rooted in this arts and culture energy but you didn’t see any reflection of over 50% of the population of Richmond, which is Black people,” Moon said.

Moon created the festival to bring Black creatives into these artistic spaces so it was understood they belong here too.

The Afrikana Independent Film Festival returned to Richmond for its eighth year of celebrating Black storytelling across the diaspora on the silver screen from Sept. 14 through 17.

At this year’s festival, Moon and her team curated events that not only showcased Black talent and interest in the world of film, but also incorporated other aspects of the arts, Moon said.

The festival boasted over 25 cinematic pieces spanning the spectrum of film genres and topics and included the world premier of the festival’s very first inhouse production, “Ninki Nanka.”

The festival kicked off on Thursday night with a welcome dinner at Bun Kurs for the “Diasporic Fork Tasting Event” where all-access pass holders enjoyed authentic Ethiopian dishes, according to its website. Friday brought the jams at “A Taste of Liberation” dinner featuring Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas.

The sidewalks of Broad Street were filled on Saturday with festival goers as they made their way to local art galleries for film viewings in spaces such as the Institute for Contemporary Art, ADA and Art 180. Richmond’s African American Museum and Common House social club hosted viewings as well.

Films were shown on a loop starting at 11 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and covered a wide range of topics from gatekeeping Blackness within the community in “Welcome to Afrotree” by Chase Parker, and to how to handle microaggressions in the workplace in the comedic film “Gotcha” by Latoya Franklyn.

Local filmmakers basked in the limelight with documentaries such as Nikkea Sharee’s “Sneakers On A Wire,” an exploration of the intergenerational evolution of sneaker culture. Sharee said she has participated in the Afrikana Independent Film

Festival for six years.

“Richmond is having its own Renaissance,” Sharee said. “The art scene has been a saving grace for me since I came to Richmond in 1999.”

The festival also displayed the first public showing of Richmond’s pandemic brunch DJ and rapper Mad Skillz’s documentary “90’s Girl Brunch.”

Color coded roundtable talks were held at the ICA that covered a range of topics concerning the Black community, including a discussion on a ‘Quest for Liberation,’ ‘Policing The Black Woman’s Body’ and ‘Gender & LGBTQ.’

The Afrikana Independent Film Festival held its first ever screenwriting competition where BIPOC filmmakers and screenwriters were invited to submit their screenplay for a chance to win the Scriptto-Screen residency, according to the Visual Arts Center’s website.

‘Close to home’: VCU alum performs Toni Morrison-inspired album at Gallery5

HOLLYANN PURVIS Managing Editor

“I want to ask if they feel loved at the end of listening to it,” said musician McKinley Dixon in reference to how audiences perceive his latest album, “Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?”

Dixon, a Richmond native and VCU alum, returned to the city last Friday to perform his newest album at Gallery5, a nonprofit community arts organization.

“All these shows are sort of hometown shows in different ways,” Dixon said. “But that show is different because it has everybody, like a lot of people I knew growing up. Even the openers are people I knew for a long time.”

Special guests at the show included Alfred., Angélica Garcia, Nathaneal Clark and Francoise Hamilton, who Dixon personally announced when each one entered the stage. Mid-show, Dixon presented his bassist with a bouquet of flowers.

Author Toni Morrison is “the greatest rapper ever,” Dixon said. Dixon named his album after her trilogy of three novels: “Beloved,” “Paradise” and “Jazz.”

“Rap is so close to home, and it’s so close to where you came from, and it’s all about you getting somewhere else through some means,” Dixon said.

“Bringing everybody you know with you, describing love in that sort of way without actually describing it.”

Dixon said Morrison’s writing does all of this beautifully that it’s music-like, Dixon said.

His performance at Gallery5 was the “big show” of the tour due to his connections in Richmond, according to Dixon.

“VCU was sort of a catalyst for me meeting a bunch of other musicians and like-minded individuals,” Dixon said. “That’s where I sort of learned to study how humans talk and find ways to communicate with everybody.”

Tristan Brennis, Gallery5 bar manager and operations manager, saw some of McKinley’s first performances at the venue. Brennis said it was “pretty clear early on” that Mckinley was going to do great things.

“He’s been gone for a few years, and I know Richmond certainly missed his music,” Brennis said. “I think that he could probably sell out a much larger venue, so it means a whole lot that he chose Gallery5.”

Brennis is drawn to Dixon’s music due to its “unique flavor,” along with the usage of a full live band.

“To me that just adds this whole other level to hip-hop,” Brennis said. “It just immediately gets me a lot more involved in the music.”

There are a lot of venues and bands

playing it safe after COVID-19, which has caused genre lines to become much more concrete; however, Dixon blurs these lines by fusing different genres, such as rap and jazz, in his music, Brennis said.

“There’s something beautiful in those kind of allowing those genre lines to blur,” Brennis said. “What you get is this really pluralistic audience and a lot of instances of people, maybe diving into music that they don’t think they like, but maybe they’ve never really given it a shot.”

The pace of the concert fluctuated throughout the evening. Dixon began the show with “Hanif Reads Toni,” the slow first track on “Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?” where poet and critic Hanif reads an excerpt from Toni Morrison’s “Jazz.” The crowd later picked up momentum loudly singing along during the chorus of Dixon’s “Mezzanine Tippin’.”

Andrew Pitts, Richmond resident and concert attendee, attended the concert because of his love for Dixon’s music and Gallery5.

Pitts said that Dixon’s music “feels powerful.”

“I’m a big fan of his music,” Pitts said. “The most recent album, I just listened to for the first time yesterday, and I’ve been listening to it ever since, all day yesterday and today.”

The final track of the concert, “Beloved!

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond sponsored the residence for the inaugural winner, revel denkyem-zachary, for their script for “Ninki Nanka.”

Their script, through the production efforts of Oakwood Arts and VPM, and under the direction of LeRon Lee, resulted in a riveting and emotional piece that “depicts a teen’s attempts to escape their challenging home life only to encounter an otherworldly figure,” according to VPM’s website.

“I’m really grateful to Afrikana and all the people involved,” denkyem-zachary said. “They really took care of me. I appreciate how hard people worked to bring the story to life and honor the folktale that I wrote.”

Paradise! Jazz!?”, garnered vocal participation from the audience, after Dixon taught the crowd the chorus of the song. The crowd later chanted “One more song” after he exited the stage.

“Richmond has always been a place for artists and musicians that are, like, big personalities,” Pitts said. “I felt like this was the perfect place to see McKinley Dixon for the first time live because it is the quintessential Richmond venue for local acts.”

McKinley Dixon singing

Photo by Julia Garrett

Attendees participate in festival activities

Photos by Teairrah Green

Illustration by Jada Artis

‘Bringing art forms together’: 200 performers collaborate on classic production

MACKENZIE MELESKI

Contributing Writer

The Richmond Ballet, the Richmond Symphony and the City Choir of Washington are collaborating on an adaptation of the Carl Orff score “Carmina Burana.”

“Carmina Burana” is a classic work that is favored by ballet companies, symphony orchestras and audiences all over the world, according to the Richmond Symphony website. It is most famous for the song “O Fortuna.” The ballet features choreography by John Butler.

The performance will run from Sept. 22 through 24. Over 200 performers from the ballet, symphony, Richmond Symphony Chorus and City Choir of Washington collaborate on this show, according to Audrey Fain, the PR and communications director for the Richmond Ballet.

“It is quite an intense and powerful show,” Fain said. “We line the theater with the chorus, so it is surround sound and an immersive experience of music and dance.”

Preceding the show is a shorter ballet performance titled “Thrive,” choreographed by Richmond Ballet choreographer Ma

Cong. This performance features music composed by Oliver Davis.

The Richmond Ballet and Richmond Symphony have collaborated on many works in the past, according to Fain.

“What is fun and different about this show is that instead of us hiring the symphony to accompany our performances, such as with ‘The Nutcracker,’ this time we are truly partners and working together on every aspect,” Fain said.

The Richmond Ballet currently consists of 20 company dancers, according to its website. The dancers have trained for “Carmina Burana” for several months and first performed the show at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia on Aug. 30.

Christian Renforth, a Richmond native who joined the Richmond Ballet this year, said that the greatest challenge of “Carmina Burana” involves stamina and technical precision. Six couples occupy the stage during the production and must execute the same lifts and steps in unison.

“The magnitude of Carl Orff’s score is iconic when used in movies and television but when you hear in person with a full symphony, it’s euphoric,” Renforth said. “I catch goosebumps every time I’ve had the

pleasure to dance this ballet and I know the audience will be sharing in this same sensation with us on stage.”

Celeste Gaiera, another dancer featured in “Thrive” and “Carmina Burana,” joined Richmond Ballet in 2021. She previously worked with Ma Cong in productions at the Texas Ballet Theater. Working with him again in Richmond felt like a “full circle moment,” Gairea said.

Since “Carmina Burana” requires collaboration in various ways, such as partner-based movements, rehearsing and performing with the symphony and choir required even more teamwork, Gairea said.

“With ballets, you sometimes are fortunate to have a live orchestra,” Gaiera said, “A lot of times we have recordings, but the fact that we also have live opera singers, it just feels that what’s really special about this production is that we’re bringing art forms together.”

Esther Tonea, a soprano and featured vocalist for “Carmina Burana,” said that this was the first time she had worked so closely with a ballet company. The performance is also her first experience working with the Richmond Ballet and the Richmond Symphony.

“Many operas include a ballet, but the main performers are the singers,” Tonea said. “Here the balance is reversed, and I’m so inspired by watching these incredibly talented dancers work. I feel so lucky to watch how they prepare for and work through a rehearsal and how they literally embody the music in performance.”

The Richmond Ballet offers $20 student rush tickets to any full-time student that presents a college ID, according to Fain. Student tickets can be purchased by calling the Richmond Ballet at (804) 344-0906 x224 or visiting the Richmond Ballet Box Office at 407 E. Canal St.

Richmond Ballet dancer performing ‘Carmina Burana’

Photo courtesy of The Richmond Ballet

Illustration by Allison Bilbey

Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘GUTS’ is an edgy soundtrack to the trials of girlhood

KOFI MFRAMA Opinions Editor

For the past two years, singer Olivia Rodrigo has soundtracked the lives of many teenage girls. Her debut single “drivers license” catapulted her to the apex of popular culture as she chronicled a past heartbreak. On her debut album “SOUR,” the stories of failed romance and teenage anguish continued.

Now, with her most recent project “GUTS,” it seems as though the melancholy of its predecessor has morphed into cynical agitation as she ebbs and flows through exhaustive heartbreaks and girlhood’s canon discomforts with a glittery-rock edge.

She begins the record by satirizing the impossible standards that young girls are held to on “all-american bitch.” She’s “light as a feather and stiff as a board,” she’s aware of her place and acts accordingly, she’s desirable even at her lowest and most importantly she’s eternally grateful.

This song, like many on the record, would fit perfectly on the soundtrack of “10 Things I Hate About You” or any aughtsera rom-com for that matter. She sings with the gall of Avril Lavigne or Alanis Morissette.

She quickly forgoes any semblance of “class” and perfect decision making in the next song, “bad idea right?” which acted as the album’s second single. Over pounding drums, heavy guitar and an unapologetically 90s punk-rock flare, she chronicles the mental battle of ditching her friends to visit an old lover who beckons her presence.

“Yes, I know that he’s my ex, / But can’t two people reconnect?” she poses as she grasps at straws to rationalize her decision. Her friends are probably wondering why they can no longer see her location or why

Quote of the week

“And when I told him how he hurt me, he’d tell me I was trippin’. But I am my father’s daughter, so maybe I could fix him.”

— Olivia ROdRigO

she has yet to respond to their disappointing texts. “‘I only see him as a friend’ / The biggest lie I ever said,” she continues. Even she doesn’t buy her justifications.

Evidently, love rarely comes easy for Rodrigo.

Her confusion-plagued romantic endeavors continue on album highlight and certified banger, “get him back!” Here, she blurs the line between revenge and reconnection with a shitty past lover — proving the razor thin line separating love from hate. “I want sweet revenge and I want him again,” she chants on the song’s anthemic chorus. It doesn’t take a genius to realize this guy is no good, but questionable decision making always thickens the plot.

“But I am my father’s daughter, so maybe I could fix him,” she sings with a rap-like cadence, tongue deeply in her cheek. Hopefully she takes after her therapist father.

As with her previous work, the spirited rock antics are contrasted with piano-driven ballads.

One in particular, “making the bed,”

finds her reckoning with the dissatisfaction she feels with her life — realizing, though, that it’s by her design. She pushes away from those close to her to have futile fun with her “fair-weather friends.” She laments the dehumanization her social status has brought her — she’s heartbreakingly cognizant of the serpents that follow glory.

“They tell me that they love me like I’m some tourist attraction,” she sings over a heavy and hazy guitar, “I got the things I wanted, it’s just not what I imagined.”

It may seem quite somber but only darkness is visible when one pulls the covers over their head.

Her self-reflection continues on “pretty isn’t pretty,” a forbearing confessional about her body-image struggles, bouts with disordered eating and a misogynistic society that forces her into restrictive and self-destructive behaviors. No matter where she goes or what she does, she’s shadowed by her insecurities.

“It’s on the posters on the wall, it’s in the shitty magazines / It’s in my phone, it’s in my head, it’s in the boys I bring to bed.”

Female adolescence is complicated — granted, I’m a 21-year-old man writing this so if I’m wrong please email me. Luckily for Rodrigo, her guitar and piano are seldom out of reach, allowing her to air out her grievances the way she knows best.

She narrates her hijinks and heartbreaks with spunky self-deprecation, and striking vulnerability when needed. Even when the world is falling down around her, she finds her way through it. Her life can’t be easy — at her age it rarely is — but at least she makes it interesting.

Hell certainly hath no fury like the world of a 19-year-old girl.

HOW CAN I BE SUSTAINABLE LIVING ON CAMPUS?

STEF ANDERSON

Contributing Writer

As a freshman and lover of the environment, living on campus for the first time has been a unique experience. As many of us are settling in, a question came to mind for me: How can I be sustainable when living in a dorm in the middle of a large city?

Although the question seems simple at first glance, our options are actually quite limited. From difficulties on where to recycle, to the overfilled trash rooms and the hectic nature of the city — the idea of being environmentally friendly can seem difficult.

Not to worry. Here are a few simple ways you can help the environment that are available to you on campus.

REDUCE

We’ve had the three R’s thrown at us over the years, but how do we actually apply these principles? To reduce, we can limit the amount of plastic, styrofoam and toxic products we use. For example, while going shopping for groceries or dorm essentials, opt for a reusable bag to carry your stuff.

REUSE

See those plastic forks or knives we collect? Wash them and use them for longer periods of time. We can reuse the cardboard from boxes to make DIY cork

boards for our class time, due dates and reminders. An empty jar? Use it to store toiletries or small items or coffee grinds. If you like omelets and plants, keep those eggshells. They are nutritious for the soil.

Instead of using styrofoam for cups or for hot drinks, use reusable cups like tumblers or coffee mugs. Opt for rechargeable batteries that last longer and are less likely to be thrown out than toxic.

RECYCLE

There are multiple locations around VCU where you are able to recycle. Monroe Park, Cabell Library and Johnson Hall have recycling bins nearby.

At the end of the week, put all the bottles you’ve accumulated into a reusable bag

and take them to the recycling bins. In the trash, they end up in the landfill, taking eons to decompose.

HABITS TO CONSIDER

Using cold water for showers can help save water. Think about it — while you wait for the hot water to warm up, the excess gets wasted. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or during the times you scrub the dishes. Reuse old water bottles to water plants nearby or in your dorm.

Electricity and how it’s made can directly affect carbon emissions. Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Allow the sun to shine through your room during the day.

Unplug any devices you’re not using. Make sure to turn off your PC when you leave to go do other activities. Make sure your gaming consoles are not left on all night while not being used.

PUT OLD THINGS TO NEW USE

Are there any things that may not be categorical in recycling terms? Definitely. Use old newspapers to wrap ceramics when moving from place to place. Have a towel that looks old and ragged? Use it to clean. Any old textbook papers? You can turn it into recycled paper through tutorials online. Instead of wooden pencils, opt for mechanical pencils. Use your computer instead of paper. Any old clothes that you don’t want? Donate or upcycle them.

Beyond this article, I encourage you to find new ways to reuse old items or how to dispose of them properly. Although these activities may seem miniscule, we are working towards a larger movement to help the environment.

As more people become informed about sustainability and choose to act, the cleaner our environment will become. A few simple actions can do more than a few simple words. Get out there, make the world a better place.

Illustration by Bailey Wood

Illustration by Emily Belson

Doubt by Killian Goodale-Porter

Chilling In The Backrooms by Anthony Duong

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves decamargg@commonwealthtimes.org

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SUBTRACTION

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ACROSS

1 Face of technology

6 __ squad 9 TV monitor 12 Gave up 17 Fathered

Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle

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18 Shaker fill

19 Preppy pullover

20 Walled Spanish city

21 Court case brought by an upstanding

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125 “Twilight” author Stephenie

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2 Title said with a curtsy, perhaps

3 Apt county for Tangerine, Florida 4 Williams of “Grey’s

Los Angeles Times

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Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle

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The Mepham Group

Subtraction by Pam Amick Klawitter