The Commonwealth Times; August 21, 2017

August 21, 2017 • Vol. 59, No. 1

The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University

NEWS Remembering Wanda Mitchell • 3

SPORTS Rhoades looks ahead • 6

SPECTRUM Summer movie review • 8

OPINIONS Letter from the editor • 11

‘Get your history books.

those are the

PHOTOS BY JESSE ADCOCK

NAZIS, I guess.’

gas masks, gear bags, first aid kits, harnesses, goggles, gloves, boots and camouflage fatigues.

Outside Emancipation Park, you Do you think the white supremacists and could almost fool yourself. This could those who came to oppose them shopped at have been any summery Saturday morn- the same stores for all of their gear? ing in this college town. Vendors were First flew the water bottles. set up in historic downtown. Families Stepping into Emancipation Park, you dined on patios. The sun shone through could see the training and preparation the after a morning of on-and-off rain. neo-Nazis had put into today. They had But everyone looked nervous. shields – riot shields painted over with It was Saturday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m., racist slogans, the fronts of plastic barrels, and no matter what today would become, wooden Viking-esque shields and other one fact presented itself: The military sur- more obscure shapes besides. They had plus industry was thriving. Everywhere, weapons. Bludgeons. Baseball bats. Men pouring in toward Emancipation Park: with rifles milled around the periphery of

JESSE ADCOCK Capital News Service

the park, about a mile east of the University of Virginia campus.

The white supremacists had formed a testudo formation on the pathway into Emancipation Park. This is an ancient Roman battle tactic, where legionaries would hold their shields to the front, sides and top. That was only the beginning.

Pushing against them was a hard knot of fewer than 100 anti-fascists and counter-protesters, most dressed in black, some with their faces covered by bandanas. The police stood behind barricades to the side of Emancipation Park, observing.

“Eggs!” a man, face hidden behind a black bandanna, shouted as a water bottle arched

out from inside the park, from behind Kekistan flags and signs that read “THE JEWISH MEDIA IS GOING DOWN.” “Is that piss?” a man asked, skipping away from a water bottle as it landed. It was not.

“Nazis go home! Nazis go home!” A group of anti-fascists chanted, holding a banner with “Smash White Supremacy” among other slogans painted across it.

Since Friday, hundreds of white supremacists and Nazi extremists had descended on Charlottesville, ostensibly to protest the city’s attempts to change its attitude toward its Confederate history. The City Council already had renamed Lee Park as Emancipation Park and voted to

remove the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee. News reports predicted that thousands of counter-protesters and anti-fascists would turn out against the so-called “Unite the Right” rally.

Next flew the balloons.

“Eggs!” the masked man shouted again.

“Is that piss?” Again, it was not piss.

Balloons the size of a clenched fist sailed into the counter-protesters, bouncing and rolling along the ground. A few exploded on impact – painting counter-protesters in thick blue paint.

—continued on page 4

Local film explores the politics of hair

Opinions

ILLUSTRATION BY GRACE HUNSINGER

#donttouchmyhairRVA

New evidence suggests pending dip in higher education cost

self-proclaimed white supremacist Jeremy Joseph Christian stabbed three men, two fatally, for protecting two Muslim women he was harassing on a train in Portland, Ore. —continued on page 11

see page 8

Soccer gears up for fall

RAM IN ACTION

Rebekah Strange

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The student debt crisis at VCU

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tuition hike will soon reach its DANIEL PURYEAR peak. Kamenetz’s investigation Contributing Writer is based on: birth rate decrease, net tuition tracking showing Tuition prices have skyrock- a “leveling-off ” and more “free eted exponentially in recent education.” years, but there may be hope According to the Centers for on the horizon for future col- Disease Control and Prevenlege students. tion, between 1990 and 1997 In an article from NPR Ed, the total birth rate fell 15 perAnya Kamenetz, digital educa- cent. Since 2000, the rate has tion correspondent for NPR, fallen another 2 percent. proposed that the decade long —continued on page 2

In June 2015, Dylann Roof shot nine people to death in a historically black church in Charleston, S.C. In June 2016, gunman Omar Mateen entered Pulse Nightclub, a gay bar in Orlando, Fla, leaving 49 people dead and 58 others wounded. In May 2017,

PHOTO BY DEAUDREA RICH

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

Social media activism isn’t activism

news

The Commonwealth Times

CRIME LOG

New evidence suggests pending dip in higher education costs

Sunday, August 13 Simple Assault - Domestic/Drug Violation/Alcohol Violation 1300 W. Broad St. Closed Hit and Run West Broad St. Deck 1111 W. Broad St. Pending Simple Assault 1201 W. Clay St. Reported by Outside Agency Theft From Motor Vehicle 1518 Grove Ave. Reported by Outside Agency

Monday, August 14 Theft From Building Starbucks 375 W. Cary St. Pending City Code Violation - Alcohol 500 W. Broad St Closed Hit and Run 500 W. Grace St. Reported by Outside Agency Theft From Building 504 W. Broad St Reported by Outside Agency Destruction of Property - Private 700 Catherine St. Reported by Outside Agency Theft From Building 729 Catherine St. Reported by Outside Agency

continued from page 1 When it comes to college tuition there will simply be less people able to go to college.

“During recessions, we have higher numbers of individuals enrolling because the opportunity cost associated with going to college is lower,” professor Leslie Stratton, Ph.D., an applied econometrician, said.

“They enroll in larger numbers because they do not have another job to go to or other income.”

NPR Ed also posted that, due to the 2008 recession, the interest in college and college enrollment has diminished with the increase in other job positions.

The added fees of room and board and basic living expenses are not always considered when posting tuition prices, but, can still determine whether or not a student can afford college.

“Most programs that are offering free tuition are not offering free room and board on-top of that and that’s clearly costly,” Stratton said. “People are going to have to pay for their own room and board whether or not they go to college, so in terms of an opportunity cost argument

from an economics perspective, that’s not part of the cost of going to college, but clearly you have to finance it somehow.”

The idea of “free college” or greatly reduced education cost originated in pushes made by legislators -- such as forner Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton -- towards free community colleges and other incentives.

“Many states now offer reduced or free tuition for students who meet certain qualifications,” Stratton said. “States including New York, Texas, Georgia, Florida and California offer these cut-downs on tuition cost through policy, scholarships, and grants. Again, those programs do not pay room and board, and room and board costs have risen considerably.”

The State Council for Higher Education of Virginia states the average increase for annual tuition from 2015-2016 to 20162017 was 2.9 percent -- the “lowest annual tuition increase in the past 15 years.” The College of William & Mary and the University of Virginia have “variable tuition charges to their

in-state undergrad students,” and were therefore excluded from the study.

This subtle glimmer of hope may be enough for some students to hold onto their dreams of college goodbye, as Stratton put it, “net tuition may be sort of ‘flatish,’ but room and board cost are rising a lot.”

During recessions, we have higher numbers of individuals enrolling because the opportunity cost associated with going to college is lower.

Leslie Stratton, Ph.D. Applied econometrician

Indecent Exposure 1415 W. Cary St. Reported by Outside Agency

Tuesday, August 15 All Other Larceny 900 W. Grace St. Closed False Pretenses/Swindle 907 Floyd Ave Pending Simple Assault/Dating Violence Grace and Belvidere Residence 301 W. Cary St. Pending Theft From Building 520 W. Franklin St. Reported by Outside Agency

City Code Violation - Alcohol 511 W. Grace St Closed Drunkenness/City Code Violation 500 W. Broad St Closed Theft From Building Cabell Library Pending

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

Wednesday, August 16

The average increase for annual tuition from 2015-16 to 2016-17 was 2.9 percent.

Drug Violation 500 N. Belvidere St. Closed

Wanda Mitchell,

former VP for Inclusive Excellence, dies at 57

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMBER-LYNN TABER

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Wanda Mitchell was the founding officer for Inclusive Excellence.

HIBA AHMAD News Editor Wanda S. Mitchell, Ed.D, former Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, passed away earlier this month. Mitchell served as a prominent voice in the VCU community as her department was responsible for developing a climate of inclusion and equity on campus.

In fall 2015, protests broke out at the University of Missouri following a series of racially motivated incidents involving students of color and the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson. VCU students followed in their footsteps and held demonstrations on campus to voice their concerns regarding the lack of inclusion of black and minority voices on campus.

Mitchell was one of the handful of administrators that spearheaded direct conversations between students and administration. VCU President Michael Rao Ph.D, said in a press release he turned to Mitchell as a guiding figure to increase the university’s awareness of its diverse student population.

“Her reputation as a bridge builder and strategic thinker preceded her, and, indeed, she set a high bar for all of us at VCU, challenging us to think about diversity

in new ways and to double-down on our efforts to be more inclusive,” Rao said.

Mitchell has a long history in higher education -- over 30 years to be exact. She spent time as an affiliate professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Education in the School of Education. There, she conducted research exploring the role of counseling in diverse communities and the advancement of women.

Charles Klink, Ph.D, Senior Vice Provost for the Division of Student Affairs, remembers Mitchell as someone who connected with students, faculty and other colleagues on a “deep level.”

“Dr. Mitchell was someone that had devoted her life to issues of justice and equity,” Klink said. “Personally, I know that I am a better person and professional for having had the opportunity to work with, and learn from, Dr. Mitchell.”

Kevin Allison Ph.D is currently serving as the interim Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, but according to Michael Porter, a spokesperson for VCU, the search is underway for a permanent replacement. They hope to find and announce the new vice president some time this fall.

Poll finds Virginians want tax dollars enforcing immigration laws

Alcohol Violation 1101 W. Grace St. Closed Drunkenness 500 W. Grace St Closed Shoplifting ABC 1217 W. Broad St Pending

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

Burglary/B&E - Residential 714 Kinney St Reported by Outside Agency

Thursday, August 17 Drug Violation/Drunkenness 500 W. Broad St. Closed Drug Violation A male subject was in possession of drugs at this location Reported by Outside Agency Motor Vehicle Theft 1500 Park Ave. Reported by Outside Agency

Download the VCU LiveSafe mobile phone app to report crimes anonymously.

To contact the VCU PD: (804) 828-1196.

For an on-campus emergency: (804) 828-1234.

For an off-campus emergency: 911.

The next Wilder School poll will be released on Aug. 22 and will address economic and workplace development.

SARAROSE MARTIN Staff Writer More than half of Virginians say their local and state governments should use taxpayer resources to enforce federal immigration laws, according to a poll

by L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU. Of the respondents, 40 percent said their localities should not be required to use their own resources and 5 percent didn’t know or didn’t wish to answer.

This comes at a time when national debate over the controversial issue of sanctuary cities is heightened. Many cities like Washington D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles have openly argued that their local law enforcement will not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and deport non-citizens.

The poll also explored opinions on deportation.

Of those polled, 39 percent said undocumented immigrants should only be deported if they have committed a serious crime and 22 percent said those who had committed any crime should be deported.

Unrelated to crime, 31 percent said all undocumented immigrants should be deported and a mere 6 percent said undocumented immigrants should never be deported.

Both questions on immigration were addressed in the arena of public safety. Local governments argue that using local resources to enforce federal immigration laws may affect public safety.

They worry the presence of ICE in localities will discourage immigrants to contact police if they witness or are a victim of a

crime.

The results also play a role in Virginia’s upcoming statewide elections on Nov. 7.

In another poll released by the Wilder School on Aug. 8, Virginians were asked about their voting intentions in the elections for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Democrats have a slight lead in all three races.

The poll shows Democrat Ralph Northam holding a 5-point lead over Republican Ed Gillespie in Virginia’s governor’s race, with Libertarian Cliff Hyra receiving only 6 percent of the vote. However, about 15 percent of voters remain undecided in all three races.

Each poll sampled 806 people around the five regions of Virginia over cell phones and landlines from July 17-25, both with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2

percentage points.

When broken down by political affiliation, a little less than 75 percent of Republicans said they support using local resources to enforce federal immigration laws versus only 20 percent of Democrats.

Among independents, 57 percent support the Republican majority on this topic.

According to Robyn McDougle, faculty director of the Office of Public Policy Outreach in The Wilder School who also conducted the poll, the undecided independents will decide who is going to be in the Governor’s mansion come Nov. 7. “(The polls) say that this idea of immigration is an important topic in Virginia. Whatever policy platforms the candidates running for all three offices, specifically governor, how they respond to and state their views on that im-

migration enforcement policy is going to have an impact on the independent undecided voters,” McDougle said.

McDougle asked questions about age, gender, income, level of education, political party affiliation and employment when polling, which provides insight on how Virginians demographics may align with specific issues.

“You’ll continually see use with these polls tied to where people identify themselves as Republican, Democrat or Independent are on these issues,” McDougle said. “It’s (also) important for all the candidates to see where their base is on political issues.”

The next poll will be released on Aug. 22 and will address economic and workplace development.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, August 21, 2017

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VCU researcher develops Lyme disease vaccine

FAST FACTS:

ease continues.

Initially, Marconi was on a research team that developed VANGUARD® crLyme, a vaccine that combats Lyme disease in canines.

Marconi said what he learned from developing the vaccine for dogs allowed him to pursue a vaccine for human use.

In order to develop the human vaccine, Marconi’s lab focuses on two different areas: vaccine development and tests for diagnosis.

“What’s exciting about what we have been doing is that we have essentially created a new technology we are applying for both of those purposes,” Marconi said. “The name of that technology is chimeritope technology.”

What’s unique about chimeritope technology, according to Marconi, is that his lab has created a brand new protein. The protein

the student debt crisis in America

there are more than

44 million borrowers with

$1.3 trillion

INFOGRAPHIC BY DESIREE CHOE

in student loan debt in the U.S. Highest debt states: 1 New Hampshire 2 Pennsylvania 3 Connecticut 4 Delaware 5 Rhode Island

Student loan debt is now the second highest consumer debt category — behind only mortgage debt — and higher than both credit cards and auto loans.

the average student in the class of 2016 has

$37,172 in student debt

Information courtesy of Forbes.

Making it real or making it unaffordable?

The student debt crisis at VCU SAFFEYA AHMED Contributing Writer Virginia students are stressing as universities tack on penalty fees and send past-due semester bills to debt collection agencies.

According to Virginia law, all state institutions are allowed to charge their own personal penalties on past due accounts. They are also required to aggressively collect on these accounts utilizing collection techniques including collection agencies and credit reporting bureaus, among other strategies.

These techniques, applied to account balances under $3,000 and 60 days past due, can cause students to receive additional fees of up to 30 percent.

VCU’s financial policies state late fees of up to $100 are charged on overdue payments. In addition to late charges, accounts 60 days past-due are referred to VCU’s Collection Unit, where additional costs and fees, including interest, are added onto existing charges.

Additionally, until all balances have been paid in full, a student is unable to register for any future classes, receive a diploma or request any official transcripts.

International students have been similarly affected by such financial policies. Former VCU student Nada Mahmoud suffered from the financial repercussions of overdue semester bills.

Ineligible for federal aid because she is not an American citizen, Mahmoud paid her international-rate tuition on loans.

Ultimately, Mahmoud withdrew from the university and re-

located back to her home country of Egypt.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” a rising junior who asked to remain anonymous, said. “I am already racking up tons of debt and it’s super stressful to think about in the long term. Additional fees every semester only makes it harder.”

She said she broke up her student bill into installments over each semester, and ended up having to pay excess fees in order to sign up for her next semester’s classes.

“It’s unfair to delay a student’s education due to financial issues,” the student said. “Especially ones that can be easily fixed.”

A hold was placed on the student account until the bill was paid off in full. It restricted her from signing up for new classes-despite having an installment plan set up.

Edward Millner, an economics professor at VCU, proposes a potential explanation for additional fees, suggesting that the “market for collection services (may be) competitive, (explaining) why the university outsources the collection services.”

Millner said additional expenses serve as a penalty for the student’s failure to fulfill the financial responsibility that comes with attending school.

According to Millner, sending past-due bills to a university owned or private collection agency helps the university enforce the contract a student agrees to when registering for classes.

The contract between a student and the university says that in exchange for taking classes a student will pay the associated

tuition and fees.

If the student fails to uphold their end of the contract they will be penalized-- therefore that is how university’s are able to justify charging late fees.

While additional fees tacked onto past-due accounts can be avoided by timely bill payments by students, that is not necessarily the most pragmatic solution for all.

Given today’s total cost of attendance averaging over $20,000 a year at most Virginia universities for in-state students, students should consider payment options provided by their schools.

These options include: extended installment plans, additional financial aid alternatives and general grace periods that could help alleviate the ever-growing student debt crisis.

is constructed of various proteins found in the human body and detects antibodies in the blood of a person exposed to Lyme disease.

Marconi said that the the inherent challenge with diagnosing Lyme disease is that the bacteria is remarkably diverse. Bacteria that might infect people in the United States can differ from one human to another in terms of the protein they are producing.

“If you don’t pick the right proteins to use in a diagnostics test you will end up with a false-negative test,” Marconi said. “We overcame that problem by taking pieces of many different proteins and assembling them into a new protein that isn’t derived from the bacteria itself, but one we have created.”

The human vaccine is currently under development in Marconi’s lab.

INFOGRAPHIC BY KIM PETERS

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded VCU researcher and professor Richard T. Marconi, Ph.D., over half a million dollars for his unwavering work in finding a vaccine for Lyme disease.

Marconi, who works at the VCU School of Medicine’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, received a $510,000, one-year grant. The grant is part of the National Institutes of Health ongoing effort to develop a human vaccine for Lyme disease.

“My lab has been quite well funded for the last 20 years,” Marconi said. “But we are really excited about this particular grant and where things are going in terms of our research direction.”

Lyme disease is a tick-borne affliction that has dramatically increased over the past decade. According to Marconi, most of the cases have occurred in the Northeast and upper Midwest of the United States.

In 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95 percent of confirmed Lyme disease cases were reported from 14 states, including Virginia.

“Ultimately, prevention is critical,” Marconi said. “Coupled with the ability to diagnose it early on, this is the key to controlling the Lyme disease problem.”

Marconi began studying Lyme disease during his time at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, one of the premier facilities to study tickborne diseases. There, he decided to go into a second postdoctoral training stent. His work with Lyme dis-

VCU to spearhead statewide opioid program SARAROSE MARTIN Staff Writer VCU was chosen to administer a five-year evaluation of a statewide program by Addiction Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS). The evaluation will address the increase of opioid deaths in Virginia by increasing their Medicaid-sponsored services in substance use disorder treatment.

In 2016, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the Virginia Health Commissioner declared opioid addiction a public health emergency in the state.

According to the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, those on Medicaid are threetimes more likely than non-Medicaid users to overdose on opioids.

The ARTS program seeks to increase outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment centers as well as increase the services under Medicaid coverage. This would ultimately increase the overall range of treatment in Virginia.

Some of these new services include additional peer support for those with substance use disorder and organized training for treatment providers.

However, treatment provider shortages across the state limit the government’s ability to treat opioid addiction.

In response, the ARTS program aims to increase reimbursement rates to treatment providers in hopes that their facilities will be more willing to accept Medicaid patients.

According to Andrew Barnes, professor in the VCU School of

Medicine’s Department of Health Behavior and Policy and leader in the evaluation, the Medicaid program is changing in response to the Governor and Virginia General Assembly passing this benefit.

“The ARTS program endeavors to reduce the burden of substance use on Virginia’s Medicaid members and the communities they live in,” Barnes said. “The evaluation will provide much needed evidence on the progress this program makes to continue to improve the delivery system in Virginia.”

Sebastian Tong, a professor from VCU Health’s Department of Family Medicine and Population Health and contributor to the university-led evaluation, explained that more people who struggle with substance abuse are being treated as a result of Medicaid coverage extended to mental illness patients.

“A lot of people with mental illness also have substance addiction unfortunately,” Tong said. “I also think people with lower income have lesser resources to help address and treat substance abuse historically so that makes people on Medicaid have higher rates of addiction as well.”

The VCU evaluation team is lead

by Barnes and another professor in the VCU School of Medicine’s Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Peter Cunningham. The evaluation will receive contributions from various professors and clinicians from the university. Tong is contributing to the evaluation from a medical perspective.

Those on the evaluation team

will conduct interviews and site visits to determine the models of care provided by the ARTS program. The team will also evaluate claims data of Medicaid patients to see billing in terms of diagnosis, tests and medications.

“I’m the one that also does clinical work so I provide some expertise and background so I can answer any clinical questions the evaluation might have and help contribute make sure things are accurate from a medical perspective,” Tong said.

The evaluation will consist of analyses of the program’s success in reaching their goals.

These goals include: increased access to treatment and service utilization, and fewer overdoses, overdose deaths and children born with neonatal abstinence syndrome -- a common disorder that occurs when a newborn is exposed to addictive drugs while in the womb.

The researchers will use different methods and a multitude of data sources including Medicaid claims and information from clinicians to evaluate the ARTS program’s impact on the opioid crisis in Virginia.

Tong hopes the evaluation will help weed out the ineffective policies currently in place for addicts and make room for more impactful treatment.

“What Medicaid can do is really focus on expanding what they are already doing and help focus and get more funds from the state to help grow substance abuse treatment.”

It’s a vicious cycle.

I am already racking up tons of debt and it’s super stressful to think about it in the long term. Additional fees every semester only makes it harder.

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

KEYRIS MANZANARES Contributing Writer

Anonymous VCU student In 2016, there were more than 59,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States the largest jump in U.S. history.

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news

The Commonwealth Times

PHOTOS BY JESSE ADCOCK

‘THOSE ARE THE NAZIS, I GUESS’ continued from page 1 On the surface, it appeared that the Nazis were outnumbered, but not if you looked closely at the people in the street arrayed against them. Most wore button-up shirts and khakis and had their camera phones up. They would chant idly when the energy was high but largely were preoccupied by Snapchatting the whole thing.

The whole herd would jump as one when Tasers growled from somewhere within the crowd.

Nearly all the Nazis on the front line wore some kind of armor – from actual riot gear to baseball and football helmets. They were organized. It appeared they had trained for this.

Last flew the gas and smoke.

The canisters came from within the park, burning fuses leaving a trail of smoke through the air.

From most, only smoke erupted. A few were tear gas.

The camera-phone folk, most of them white, fled in their sandals, like they had never smelled tear gas before. It put a sting in the air.

You found yourself blinking much faster than you had before. It was hard to speak.

“Medic!” people would scream, holding up those who had been hit directly. A bald anti-fascist in swim goggles and black running shorts sprinted up and down the street, dumping milk over his head and grabbing the canisters as fast as he could get to them, sending them sailing back into Emancipation Park, but it was not enough, and he was largely alone. The size of the counter-protester group shrank considerably.

To compound the problem, the police retreated.

“The cops are putting on riot gear!” was relayed up and down the street, and that may have been true, but the barricades that the police had been maintaining were now empty. The Nazis swarmed forward, and the crowds met in sporadic melees – clubs against clubs, with flags wielded as weapons.

Groups of white supremacists got bold and marched through the counter-protesters.

A man named Mickey, in a black helmet and glasses, carrying a bat, stopped a woman in a football helmet who was leading one of the groups of white supremacists.

Mickey pushed her with his bat.

She and most of her ilk wore bright green shirts bearing the name of the militia to which they belonged.

“Johnny Reb from Tennessee,” her shirt read. This woman had come from out of state for this kind of fight. She was ready, itching for it.

“Touch me again,” the Tennessean dared. “Touch me again.”

“Mickey, don’t.” A woman, dressed head-to-toe in black, pulled on Mickey’s sleeve to get him out of their path. Mickey backed down, and the group continued by, until one of those in the rear said something smart to Mickey. It was not clear who swung first.

“Mickey, don’t,” the woman implored again, but this time Mickey did, and a melee erupted, and the green shirts scattered as the crowd surged around them. A circle opened up, and a member of the white supremacist group was caught alone; counter-protesters took turns kicking him and beating him with clubs. He curled up on the ground and covered his head.

Now orators, who before had been shouting their bile from within the park, came onto the street as the white supremacist shields advanced.

A grey-haired old man at the front with a megaphone shouted: “You’re the ignorant ones!” “Multiculturalism is white genocide! Diversity is white genocide!”

Apparently everything was white genocide, as his white compatriots laid into the mixed-race counter-protesters around them.

A woman in a Black Lives Matter shirt tried to rally the counterprotesters, shouting through a megaphone: “We are right! Say it with me!

We are right, they are wrong!” But the counter-protesters continued to back up. Most of them appeared to have come only with signs and air horns and their sanity, while the Nazis had made sure not to forget their bloody-mindedness, along with their armor, shields, bludgeons and melee tactics. They advanced as a terrifying unit.

“Just go home. You don’t live here.

Please just go,” pleaded a large man with drying milk on his face and a Black Lives Matter shirt on. He carried a flag and pushed it between Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a statewide state combatants, urging everyone to of emergency during the “Unite the Right” rally.

“Just go home.”

“You know it. The presidents have secret bunkers and shit! They’re going to be fine!” There were mutterings that the police were cordoning off the surrounding blocks.

“Let’s be civil!”

A man walked through the crowd, eyes red and bulging, laughing, milk in his beard, telling anyone who would listen: “I forgot to bring my gas mask! Lucky I have my inhaler to clean myself out.” He inhaled deeply.

It was not even noon yet.

The police returned, fully geared, and marched in from behind the white supremacists, beginning to push them out of the park and away from the forgotten Robert E. Lee statue.

With the police fast approaching, the Nazis fell back into the park and formed a shield wall, like Vikings – 10, then 20 and 30 men across, beating their shields. These were men and women living in the past in more ways than one.

“Burn it! Burn it!” A group of anti-fascists struggled to burn a Confederate flag but couldn’t get it to light, encouraging the counter-protesters to march with them into the park and form an opposing skirmish line across from the Nazis.

“Die, zombies!” a man in the Nazi formation shouted.

“Fire the first shot of the race war, baby! It’s been waiting a long time coming! It’s here now! Fire the first shot, and let’s get it going!

Let’s start the race war!” a man in a baseball helmet shouted, waving an American flag.

The police milled around the Lee Statue. No one gave a damn about the statue anymore. No one drove across multiple state lines for a piece of bronze and cement. They were here for blood. The two lines yelled curses at each other. The police seemed unsure, not even in a cohesive line, and though more police were joining them by the minute, they weren’t ready for this.

No one was, except the Nazis, it seemed.

A man in the Nazi line took his shirt off. Screaming, he barreled into the counter-protesters, slugging anyone he could reach, but he was overwhelmed and mobbed.

That was enough to fan the flames.

Both skirmish lines separated into bunches and attacked each other.

A circle formed in the center of the park, where combatants wrestled and bludgeon each other.

The police decided that was enough and advanced shouting through a microphone: “This demonstration has been declared an unlawful assembly. By order of the Commonwealth, disperse, or you will be arrested.”

The police marched forward as a unit, and the Nazis stubbornly wheeled about to face them. They battered the shields of the police

Fire the first shot of the race war, baby! It’s been waiting a long time coming! Fire the first shot, and let’s get going! Let’s start the race war!

Man in baseball helmet but were pushed inexorably out of the park as police fired pepper spray over the tops of their shields.

The last remaining Nazis – two men wearing baseball helmets and white polos marred by paint – threw themselves into the shields of the police, desperate to get back into the park. The police battered them with their riot shields, and then, to everyone’s surprise, let them go after they visibly assaulted multiple police officers. The crowd howled.

“Arrest them!”

“You would never let one of us get away with that!”

The crowd took it upon themselves to punish the scattered white supremacists, swatting at them as they zigzagged through the crowd.

No one was sure who was who anymore. The police had blended the crowd together.

A Bible-thumping man stood in the center of the street. On one side of his poster board: an image of a bloody fetus. On the other were

Three deaths were reported the day after the protests. the words “Abortion, Adultery, Sin, CHRISTians Repent! America Judgement is Coming!”

“All lives matter,” his voice droned, loud and full of static through his microphone. “All lives matter!”

“Why don’t you go over there?” A young black man shook his head and motioned toward a garage where a number of white supremacists were washing pepper spray out of their eyes behind a barricade.

“No, don’t shake your head. I’m here with you, on the right side, the side of God. Like Martin Luther King said. All lives matter. Don’t you think all lives matter?”

“Like Martin Luther King said?

Just fucking go.”

Small groups of white supremacists threaded their way through the crowd and were battered with insults.

“Look at that skinny faggot there. My one leg is bigger than his whole body,” shouted a man following them. People shook their signs at the retreating racists and yelled profanities. One sign read “I’m here to LAUGH at the boys from out of town with small flaccid penises.”

A woman in a Black Lives Matter shirt yelled from a megaphone, in a shouting match with the preacher. It became a noise competition.

“If you sin, God hates you!”

“Immigrants are full human beings!”

“God loves the righteous!”

“Disabled people are full human beings!”

With most of the Nazis dispersed for the moment, the crowd turned on the preacher, who had made an enemy of almost everyone.

“What are you doing with your life, guy? Get a different hobby.”

“Your fucking religion killed more people than those fucking Nazis over there!”

“Fuck their Bible, fuck their system, we must harm them and bring it down!”

“Free oranges, eat ’em or throw ’em!”

That was how things dissipated around Emancipation Park, as the police pushed everyone a block back.

Like-minded people gathered together, and micro-rallies, 20 to 30 strong, erupted around every couple of street corners. People wandered off – some looking shell-shocked, some looking bored.

In the Downtown Mall, between coffee shops and burger joints, a man walked with blood-red eyes, his head doused with milk, in a shirt that read “I am an unarmed civilian.”

An older man reclined on a bench, holding a sign that said “Welcome Virginia Police! Please take the shot!”

It was 12:30, and more counterprotesters were pouring into downtown Charlottesville with their signs, asking each other the way to the rally, not realizing that racism and violence do not happen according to event schedules.

A paramilitary group, more than two dozen strong, came strolling by.

There were men in the front, middle and back with assault weapons, bulletproof vests and Confederate flags, and with sidearms holstered at their thighs. The man in front raised a clenched fist into the air.

“Hold!” the whole group shouted.

The men with assault rifles stopped to take a selfie in front of a coffee shop.

The world is a strange place.

A man approached the paramilitary marchers with his phone, asking who they are.

“Do you believe in the American Constitution?” their spokesman asks. The irony that he asked this question with a Confederate flag sewed into his bulletproof vest seemed to be lost on him.

The whole group appeared aimless, marching in and around downtown Charlottesville, doing loops around the police cordon. They communicated in terse military jargon.

“They’d circled around the counter-protesters,” a man said, eating ice cream with his wife. “They were never in the park. They were waiting behind the counter-protesters several streets back. Just waiting.” For what, he couldn’t say.

All that their spokesman would say is that they were here to “protect the First Amendment,” while toting their assault weapons, covered in Confederate and Roman iconography. They made their way toward a parking lot where a racist, middleaged white man and three young black men were in a shouting match.

The noon sun had now boiled off the last of the morning cool. Everyone’s faces ran with sweat.

“We showed up there with three masts and a fuckload of cannons while you motherfuckers were doing this around a fire,” the middleaged white man said as he pranced around in an insane racist caricature.

The three young black men shoved and screamed at him; the racist retreated into his car and drove away, the assembled crowd spitting on his windshield and windows.

A black mother, holding her kids by the hand, walked hurriedly through the parking lot. “Get your history books. Those are the Nazis, I guess.”

The crowd, worked up by the racist’s shouting, turned their attention on the paramilitary group and their Confederate flags, chasing them across the parking lot. It was not long before a crowd of more than 100 had cornered the paramilitary group against a kebab joint.

“We’re here to protect everyone’s rights!”

“Liars! You don’t give a fuck about our rights!”

“Fuck you! Let him speak!”

“We’re here to protect the First Amendment.”

“OK, you get a pass. Get out of here.”

“No, fuck you, they’re all the same!

They don’t get a pass! And fuck you for trying to give them a pass!”

The paramilitary group continued on their patrol, followed still by groups of counter-protesters, police watching on from the other side of the parking lot – everyone sweating. Besides rocks, thrown, and terrible words, said, the confrontation fizzled out peacefully.

Later that day, people were not so lucky. As more counter-protesters arrived for the rally, marches erupted around Charlottesville. One group of marchers were struck at 2:30 p.m., a gray Dodge Challenger accelerating into the crowd, killing a woman and injuring 19 other pedestrians.

The driver was a 20-year-old white man from Ohio. He has been charged with second-degree murder, among other crimes. He was described by one of his high school teachers as “very infatuated with the Nazis, with Adolf Hitler.”

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Press Box

Monday, August 21, 2017

5

Stat of the Week

VCU golf graduates Hanish Nagrani and Enej Sarkanj were named Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-American Scholars over the summer.

THE SPECTACLE OF

MAYWEATHER VS. MCGREGOR

ILLUSTRATION BY JOSE DAVILA

We know who they are. We know what they’ve done. We’ve heard everything they have to say, and we, the American public, will pay them hundreds of millions of dollars to fight for us Saturday night.

Zach Joachim, Sports Editor

ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editor Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather just don’t get the respect they deserve.

To be sure, the word “respect” should be interpreted in a strictly business-oriented sense here, because neither man’s character warrants much admiration.

Mayweather’s dirty laundry has been aired extensively. His long history of domestic violence allegations — he’s served multiple jail sentences and shelled out millions of dollars in settlement money — paints a vivid picture of Floyd’s violent personality.

What’s more, recent clashes with the IRS over alleged tax evasion have many speculating as to just what the 40-year-old Mayweather has been up to with his vast fighting fortune. “Money” Mayweather has lived under the public

spotlight far too long for him to front any kind of calculated persona at this point.

We know who he is. We know what’s he’s done — and we will still watch him fight Saturday night.

The 29-year-old McGregor entered this circus as much more of a dark horse. The UFC-based Irishman had, before the Mayweather “hype tour” at least, developed a devoted following.

McGregor’s fans boasted of a rags-to-riches saga driven by bullying in high school and an unbending desire to prove doubters wrong. The 5’9’, 154-pound southpaw was never supposed to make it past training in his garage. Yet, McGregor flaunted an Ali-esque confidence in the faces of much more experienced opponents, and fans ate it up.

Everybody loved the kid, and he raked in even more admirers every time he backed up his trash talk.

However, the seemingly loveable McGregor lost many of his sympathizers during the fight’s third press conference in Brooklyn when he was asked whether he and Mayweather were pushing the “race narrative” of the fight.

“A lot of people have me saying I’m against black people. That’s absolutely ridiculous,” McGregor said. “Do they not know I’m half black? I’m half black from the belly button down. I have a present for the beautiful, black female fans in the crowd.”

As if that wasn’t enough, McGregor proceeded to gyrate his hips on stage.

Granted, with armed white supremacists marching in our state and the White House failing to denounce them, racially-driven penis jokes from an Irishman can plausibly be taken with a grain of salt these days.

But these are nevertheless in-

credibly immature and insensitive comments that reveal to us the true personality beneath McGregor’s heroic persona.

We know who he is. We’ve heard all the crap he has to say, and we will still watch him fight Saturday night.

So, hear me out. I’m not asking anybody to respect these audaciously disrespectful men as human beings. Not many people do at this point.

What I am asking is that you recognize them as the genius, maniacal businessmen that they are — because, as we all begin another work week, they will be licking their wounds and laughing all the way to the bank. The extent to which their evil perpetuates their success must be recognized.

The reality that needs to be illuminated is that, whether we like it or not, this will be a seminal moment for professional fighting. The waning world of boxing will be

fused with the upstart aura of UFC to produce a ratings-dynamo capable of bringing much needed vitality into a corner of sports which has come under fire since the horrors of concussion-induced Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy were brought to public light.

More importantly, we need to recognize that everything has been calculated. Everything has been thought out. Everything about this fight — from the media splashes to the tax evasion comments to the racial narrative quips — has been premeditated. These are business geniuses who have made fortunes largely off of exploiting and maintaining their larger-than-life public personas.

Yes, they ran with whatever narrative presented itself to them.

Make no mistake, they know exactly what they are doing. They will say and do anything to make more people pay to watch them fight.

Because all Conor McGregor

and Floyd Mayweather will ever care about is their bottom line.

Nine figures, people. That’s the bottom line here — NINE. FIGURES. PEOPLE. Forbes agrees with both fighter’s depiction of their paydays..

Mayweather will rack in a reported ~300 million-dollar check, while McGregor has settled for a paltry ~100 million.

We know who they are. We know what they’ve done. We’ve heard everything they have to say — and we, the American public, will pay them hundreds of millions of dollars to fight for us Saturday night.

No, not even to fight for us.

This will be a spectacle, something much closer to a WWE match than a real fight.

And we will eat it up.

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather just don’t get the respect — or the hate — they deserve.

But they’re not worried about it.

Field hockey transitions coaching staffs VCU field hockey has a focused and determined mindset as they begin the new season thanks to a brand new coaching staff and two signees from Germany.

Last year, the Rams finished with an overall record of 7-11, marking a drastic improvement on the 2015 season. Despite the progress, former coach Laura Baker resigned after four seasons with the team, allowing Stacey Bean to step in.

After only the spring season to get her feet wet with the team, Bean announced in May she would be signing two student-athletes to their National Letter of Intent from Germany — twins Maite and Svea Sturm. The sisters bring with them a wealth of international experience including a collective eight Juvenile Western German WHV Championships.

Now that preseason has ended, Bean said she has had time to make tweaks and get her squad ready for the fall season.

“It’s not just new for them in terms of coaching staff, it is also new for us,” Bean said. “Obviously

you get to build a relationship with the kids and they get comfortable with how we teach and how we coach, but having the bulk of the group through the spring allowed a smooth transition this preseason.”

Bean said the coaches were focused on improving the team’s ability to move on from mistakes and play for the next opportunity.

“It was really just a matter of focusing on the right things,” Bean said. “It’s not about the mistake, it’s about how quickly you respond to it. I am focused on how to recover from those mistakes.

You can tell that the teams that recover the quickest from their mistakes are the ones that can have a little bit more success in the win/loss column.”

The Rams have not qualified for the Atlantic 10 tournament since 2013, but with a new season approaching and a new coaching staff settled in, Bean said the bar has been raised.

“These kids have made some pretty high goals and it’s part of what attracted me to the job,” Bean said. “As a college coach, your day to day is with the athletes. For me, I am a motivated and driven coach and if I didn’t have a group like

that here at VCU, I wouldn’t have taken the job.”

Bean said she’s excited with how fast her players have transitioned to her and her staff.

“Every season, regardless of changes in staff, is an opportunity to have a clean slate because the team is new,” Bean said. “For me as a college coach, that’s a pretty cool part of my job.”

Aside from having a new head coach, the rest of the coaching staff is also new to VCU. Annie Zinkavich and Kayla May were hired by Bean to serve as assistant coaches.

Zinkavich is currently the codirector of the Panthers United Field Hockey Club and served as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia from 2012-2015.

May joins VCU after serving as an assistant at Indiana University in 2016 and an assistant at Siena College from 2012 to 2015.

“The important thing for me is, as a head coach, I always have a short list in terms of assistance,” Bean said. “Annie and Kayla were on that short list — and pretty high up it — not just because of their hockey knowledge, but also because their great teachers and their philosophy matches well with

mine. It was important for me as a head coach to put together a staff with a diverse personality.”

The Rams began their 2017 season with a 2-3 loss in an exhibition game at American University on Aug. 19.

Their first official game of the season is against Drexel University on Aug. 25. The Black and Gold will play a total of 19 games in 2017 — 11 at Cary Street Field.

It was important for me as a head coach to put together a staff with a diverse personality.

Stacey Bean, Coach

PHOTO BY ERIC MARQUEZ

JESSICA WETZLER Contributing Writer

Junior forward Emily McNamara led the Rams with 45 points in 2016-17 — 30 more than the next closest player.

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The Commonwealth Times

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Women’s, men’s soccer start anew

PHOTO BY GEO MIRADOR

Men’s (8-9-4) and women’s (8-10-1) soccer both fell barely short of a .500 winning percentage in 2016. With the majority of each team’s starters returning for 2017, expectations are sky high for respective men’s coach Dave Giffard and women’s coach Lindsey Martin.

Junior forward Kelly Graves was elected team captain for the 2017 season by her peers.

RAM IN ACTION:

REBEKAH STRANGE

As a junior, VCU volleyball’s Rebekah “Bekah” Strange recorded a career-high 30 digs, the most by a Ram since 2009. She was also named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week and made the VCU Invitational All-Tournament Team.

The Indianapolis native sat down with the CT to talk about what drives her to succeed in her senior season.

How would you describe yourself, besides being an athlete?

KEYRIS MANZANARES Contributing Writer

“If it was not for volleyball then I would not be the person that I am today. I am highly competitive in the classroom and outside on the court. I can be very shy when I meet people, but once I get to know who they are then I can start to be myself.”

How many years have you been playing volleyball and when did you get started?

“Twelve years. I started playing on a team at my church after my mom signed me up. I realized that I was good and that this was the sport that I wanted to play for years to come. I tried out other sport but I always knew that I loved volleyball.”

Why did you pick VCU to continue your Volleyball career?

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“It’s diversity. I know a lot of people must say that, but I toured other universities where I am from, but they were too big or you had to take a bus to get around campus.

And so when I visited VCU I really liked that everything was close and walking distance and I could see myself here.”

What are one or two things in your training that have allowed you to play competitively at VCU?

VCU women’s soccer is eager to return to the field, especially Martin, who is beginning her fifth year at the helm.

Martin highlighted a stellar rotation on the front line while discussing her team’s strengths heading into the season.

“We have a very good front rotation,” Martin said. “We have great attacking players that give us a lot of depth, including Kelly Graves, Julia Suarez, Maddi Santo and Amanda Tredway.”

Martin also stressed the importance of strong goaltending, praising senior keeper Audrey Sanderson, who split time in the net with the since-graduated Ryan Jones last season.

Sanderson now has the goaltending job all to herself and Martin is confident in her consistency as a performer on the field.

Martin said this year’s team boasts depth on both sides of the ball.

“With great offensive players, including Alyssa Tallent, and a stellar defense, one that includes players like Amanda Hallesjo and Tori Brown — who is returning at her full capability — we had a great turnover from last spring that provided us with a sort of springboard into the fall,” Martin said.

Martin also revealed various aspects of the game that she and the team all felt they needed to work or improve on, with a focus on what specifically lost them games last season.

The Rams fell in several matches by close margins last year. In order to come out on top in close contests this season, Martin said the team needs to place importance on refining and gaining an attacking presence on the field, as well as

want to work hard and keep getting wins for the team.”

What’s your inspiration when you play?

“My teammates always inspire me. We all work together to win.”

Do you have any rituals or anything you tell yourself before you go out on the court?

“I don’t have a mantra or anything, but I am very superstitious and I know that most of my teammates are too, so sometimes I will wear the same headband or sports bra or something like that.”

What did you learn last year that propels you to do better?

“It’s not about you. It’s about the team.”

What was your lowest point of the season last year and what did you do to come back from it?

“My lowest point was at the George Mason game, where I was playing just for myself and the coach took me out and put a player that was a class below me in and that’s where it really hit me that I had to play for the team.”

What’s the best advice ever given to you?

“That everyone makes mistakes, from Tim Doyle Assistant Coach at VCU — he has been here since I have been here and it really stuck with me. I am a perfectionist and it’s hard to get over mistakes you make sometimes but realizing that you will make mistakes makes it easier to come back from and move on from things.”

Dream job after VCU?

“The strength and conditioning have really made me successful “It’s really hard to say what I but also the people around me — will be doing once volleyball is my teammates who push me to be over, but what I am doing now I my best self. hope helps me in whatever I do next. I’ve been coaching volleyball at the Richmond Volleyball Club You made the VCU Invitational working with little kids and getAll-Tournament team last year, ting their careers started. It’s rewhich is a huge accomplishally fun teaching them but I will ment for any athlete, how did be playing volleyball for the rest this make you feel? of my life, it doesn’t end once my “I think that it was a win not just time at VCU is over.” for me but for my teammates. Volleyball is not an individual sport.

I am always pushed by my teammates and they are what make me

feeling comfortable and becoming more of a threat in the waning minutes of the games.

Graves, a junior forward, also made her confidence in the team’s potential clear. She felt that the teamwork amongst the squad is the best it has been since she first arrived at VCU because team chemistry is the highest it had been during her tenure.

“In the offseason, we worked hard on gelling and working really well together as a team,” Graves said.

The junior forward also felt the team’s primary area of concern was their ability to close out and finish games. Graves stressed that the team’s communication is an incredibly strong point for them.

Graves also noted the new freshmen on the team fit very well into the lineup alongside the upperclassmen and that they were a great addition to the roster.

“I’m really looking forward to for his eighth season with the how we work together, and we’re re- Rams, having coached the team ally excited for the fall,” Graves said. since 2010.

Giffard has guided the Rams to an overall 64-52-26 record during MEN’S his tenure at the helm, including a Men’s soccer is eager to build 33-16-10 conference record. on their 2016 success behind senior midfielder Luc Fatton, junior The women’s soccer scrimmage midfielder Eli Lockaby and senior scheduled for Friday, Aug. 18 against keeper Pierre Gardan. the University of Iowa was canceled Fatton finished off last season due to weather after 33 minutes of with 7 goals, 3 assists and 17 total play. The Rams will travel to take points to his name. on Liberty University on Sunday, Lockaby started 19 of 21 Aug. 20 before continuing their 2017 games in 2016 and netted 1 goal, campaign at Sports Backers Stadium notched 5 assists, and tallied 7 to- on Thursday, Aug. 24 against Old tal points over the entirety of the Dominion University. season.

In his junior season, Gardan Men’s soccer kicks off their 2017 on turned in six shutouts while start- August 25 at Sports Backers against ing all 21 games. The Lorient, Oakland University.

France native also tallied 64 saves for a .681 percentage in nearly 2,000 minutes played.

Coach Dave Giffard returns

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

Women’s WOMEN’S

ADAM CHEEK Contributing Writer

Senior midfielder Francesco Amorosino scored four goals and started 18 games last season.

Rhoades gives Rams summer makeover NICK VERSAW Staff Writer Summer is usually known as college basketball’s slowest time of the year. With students on summer break, most colleges become ghost towns from May until mid-August; but for VCU’s newly-appointed head coach Mike Rhoades, the hard work never stopped.

Following the departure of former head coach Will Wade in March, the Rams’ men’s basketball program was left in a state of flux.

With six seniors graduating in 2017, the Black and Gold were left with just rising seniors Jonathan Williams and Justin Tillman and three sophomores — De’Riante Jenkins, Malik Crowfield and redshirt transfer Issac Vann.

Wade had accumulated a top-25 recruiting class for the upcoming 2017-18 season, but following his departure to Louisiana State University, top recruits Lavar Batts and Mayan Kiir decommitted from the program to ply their trade elsewhere. Rising sophomore Samir Doughty also jumped ship when he announced his decision to leave for Auburn University.

While incoming freshman Sean Mobley and Marcus SantosSilva upheld their commitments, Rhoades was left with just seven players heading into what looked to be a tumultuous offseason for the Black and Gold.

The VCU Athletics Department announced Rhoades was the Rams’ 12th head coach on March 21, and the new head man got right to work. A little more than a month later, Rhoades announced his first three VCU signings — Marcus Evans, Khris Lane and Lewis Djonkam.

The trio brings ample skill and know-how to a team low on topend experience. Evans — a Virginia native who followed Rhoades to VCU after playing under him for two seasons at Rice — averaged over 21 points-per-game last season and earned back-to-back allconference honors.

While the 6-foot-2 point guard will be forced to sit out the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer regulations, Rhoades said he is thrilled to have him on board.

“He had two great years at Rice and helped move that program forward,” Rhoades said. “When he decided that he wanted to make a

change, we wanted to make sure we had an opportunity to have him here at VCU. “He’s a super kid from a super family. The kid wants to win, and he’ll add a lot to our program.

He’s a dynamic playmaker and scorer, and every team wants a kid like that.”

Lane — a graduate transfer from Longwood University — brings much-needed length to a Rams’ squad sorely lacking frontcourt depth following the departures of fan-favorite Mo Alie-Cox and graduating big-man Ahmed Hamdy. Rhoades said Lane’s 17.1 points and 7.3 rebounds-per-game should pair nicely with the lanky Tillman down low.

“He’s a versatile big man who can do a lot,” Rhoades said. “I’m going to ask him to do a lot, put a lot onto him. But being an experienced, versatile player, it’s exactly what we need this year coming up, and I think he’s going to give us a great lift and bring great energy, great spirit to our program.”

Djonkam — who hails from Virginia’s Hargrave Military Academy — adds to the Rams’ presence down low. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound center averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds to help lift Hargrave to a 43-2 record last season.

“I love big men who have high motors that play with great energy and toughness, and (Djonkam) sure does that,” Rhoades said. “He had an unbelievable year at Hargrave, and really built his body up and got better on the court. I think his best basketball is ahead of him.”

Following the additions of Evans, Lane and Djonkam, Rhoades spent the next 60-odd days rounding out his squad.

Later in May, he added incoming freshman and three-star recruit Tyler Maye to the fray. A month later, he brought in local Richmonder and junior college standout Mike’l Simms. Last month, Rhoades made the finishing touches to his squad when he awarded the team’s final scholarship to another JUCO talent in guard Xavier Jackson.

Maye — a 6-foot-2, 170-pound point guard from North Carolina’s Farmville Central High — brings explosive scoring to the Rams’ backcourt after averaging an impressive 36 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game as a senior.

Rhoades said he looks forward to

seeing what the Farmville, N.C. product can do, not just on offense, but both ends of the court.

“He’s a gym rat who plays fast with very good skill,” Rhoades said. “He makes plays on both ends of the court. We can’t wait to get him and his classmates on campus soon to get to work.”

Mike’l Simms — a graduate of nearby Highland Springs High School — is returning home to add to the Rams’ versatility on the wings. At Kansas’ Cowley Community College, the 6-foot-5 wing averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting nearly 44-percent from the field and 36-percent from deep.

The highly-touted JUCO transfer chose the Rams over blue-chip programs such as The University of Miami, North Carolina State University and the University of Memphis, among others.

“We’re super excited to have Mike’l on board,” Rhoades said.

“He has great versatility, and his game will fit into our style of play tremendously. Look for him to impact the program in many ways.”

Jackson adds to the Rams’ versatility by bringing both scoring and rebounding from the guard position. The 6-foot-3 playmaker from Wyoming’s Sheridan College recorded seven double-doubles last season and produced double-digit rebound outputs eight times. The Hinesville, Ga. product will join the Black and Gold as a junior and has two years of eligibility remaining.

“We’re excited to have Xavier and his energy and approach in our program. He’ll add depth and some maturity to our team,” Rhoades said of his newest recruit.

In all, RamNation will see eight total newcomers when the Black and Gold’s season kicks off in November.

Following the heavy player turnover, the new-look Rams face a season of uncertainty, but with a non-conference schedule including home games against the likes of the University of Virginia and the University of Texas, RamNation has a lot to look forward to in the coming year.

VCU kicks off its 2017-18 campaign with the Black & Gold Scrimmage on Oct. 14, with their first taste of regular season action coming a month later when Grambling State visits the Siegel

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Monday, November 21, 2016

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Monday, August 21, 2017

The Commonwealth Times

On this day

Did you know this is the first time there has been a full solar eclipse arcoss the entire United States in 99 years

Local documentary addresses the politics of hair SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor

Scenes from the documenary #donttouchmyhair near images of Richmond-born and raised civil rights activist, Maggie L. Walker.

IMAGES COURTESY OF DEAUDREA RICH

tions and logistics lead of the project, the arts have always been an efficient way to address social issues and make an impact.

“Activism is not solely the act of marches or public demonstrations.

Art will always play a pivotal role in the movements we have seen through history and the movements we continue to shape through our time,” Hairston said. “Whether it be through visual art, film, music or dance art is space for activism and a space to create change.”

Hairston is a long time community organizer. Her experience, which includes a self-created exhibition where she interviewed and drew portraits of local community leaders, gives her to have a better sense of how to logistically plan filming the documentary.

“We made sure everyone on the team had experience with community oriented art and could contribute to the project,” Hairston said.

Local black businesses have been the duo’s “biggest ally” by providing space and reaching out to new communities.

Hairston also credited Richmond’s ‘mom-and-pop’ oriented attitude, as well as social media, for how well the film has been perceived in the River City.

“The general reaction has been really amazing because we are a diverse team even in age.” Hairston said. “Everyone here is also pretty ready to share. If you put a flier up and someone is interested they won’t hesitate to put the word out.”

The faculty lead of the project, Pamela Lawton, associate professor of art education at VCU, helped in the development of the documentary and is, according to Hairston, more of a “life coach” than simply a professor.

The film was funded by the Social Justice Fund — a VCU grant which awarded $2,500 to community based project that address pressing social issues. Though the grant helped with the creation of the film, Barracks pointed out that it was still a limited budget. Many people either worked in kind or

I think what this project is proving is that as people of color we cannot separate our identities from the work we do.

Chaz Barracks

Scenes from the documentary #donttouchmyhairRVA. were given a very small stipend.

“People who helped did it because they value work that is for us, by us,” Barracks said.

Barracks is the self-described visionary of the project with an ability to decide where and how scenes should be shot and what the final product should look like. He credits his experience in academia and nonprofit work in the Richmond area in allowing him to understand how to properly curate the narrative within in the film.

“I have never produced a video, but through my own experiences, I can see why this is needed. Hair-

ston is an artist but has never produced a video either but through her experience as a black woman, she can see why this video is needed,” Barracks said.

The film, according to Hairston, is nothing short of a political statement.

“We have interviews where we talk about the word ‘nappy’ and what it means. We ask about ‘good hair versus bad hair’ and if our understanding of hair goes back to colorism and slavery and the idea of the ‘house slaves versus field slaves,” Hairston said. “For me, the film is a way to highlight the many different perspectives that we, as

Hollywood in decline: A summer movie recap

Scenes from the documentary #donttouchmyhairRVA. black people, have on our own hair.

Artistically, we wanted to show diversity of black hair.”

For Barracks the project is a sttement on the connection between the political and the personal.

“I think we as black people are conditioned to think, well if I just get the job I won’t have to experience racism. If I just go get my PhD I won’t have to experience it. If I do really amazing artwork I won’t have to experience it,” Barracks said. “I think what this project is proving is that as people of color we cannot separate our identities from the work we do.”

#donttouchmyhairRVA is in the production stages and has a tentative release date for sometime this fall with plans to screen a preview during the Afrikana Independent Film Festival in September. For updates on the film follow Barracks @IAMMYLIFE_ and Hairston @c.n.hairston on Instagram.

ILLUSTRATION BY IAN DUFFUS

Anyone with access to the internet may have heard about the global phenomenon which has been popularly dubbed the “natural hair movement.” The campaign is a push for black women to embrace their natural hair textures and use protective styles, such as locs, twists and braids, instead of using traditional chemical processes to straighten their hair.

According to a 2016 report from Mintel, the movement isn’t just a social media phenomenon. In the United States alone the expenditure of natural hair care products was estimated at $2.5 billion during the 2015 fiscal year.

But what is natural? Who can define it? Does it actually matter?

Is it anyone’s business to dictate if someone chooses to stick to chemical process over “natural” hair? A Richmond based documentary, #donttouchmyhairRVA is a community art project exploring the politics of black hair with the goal of telling black stories from black people through artistic narrative storytelling.

Chaz Barracks, a second year Ph.D student at VCU, and Christina Hairston, a recent VCU graduate from the communication arts program, lead the film project which was aesthetically inspired by Solange Knowles’ 2016’s song, “Don’t Touch my Hair.” The duo commented that the feeling of black people having their hair politicized and exotified is nearly universal and relatable experience, which is partially why they feel their project has garnered vast support in the River City.

“We are very different. We don’t all agree. We don’t do the same work,” Barracks, who is the producer and team leader of the film, said. “But there is something to be said that there is (still) solidarity formed in our black identities and the fact we are different speaks to the mission of the project which is promoting diversity within diversity.”

For Hairston, the communica-

SAMUEL GOODRICH Staff Writer For the past three months, the type of films that are being removie box office has been in a de- leased. Moviegoers are tired of cline. While the summer started superheroes, dumb blockbusters, with some big hits like “Wonder and franchises. While they do still Woman” and “Guardians of the have their loyalties, as can be seen Galaxy Vol. 2,” July and August with the success of Marvel and seem to have difficulty capturing DC movies, people don’t want a audiences. new set of sequels and worlds to Decline in the box office is keep up with. All people want are nothing new. Studios alternate be- good films, and hopefully Hollytween successful years and slightly wood and will take this decline as less successful years. Yet, whenever a sign of the times. there is a decline, the media starts This isn’t to say everything that to question if movies are still viable came out this summer was worth and if the medium is dying out. seeing. “Transformers: The Last While I find this argument Knight” is the lowest grossing film laughable, 2017 is a somewhat spe- in its franchise, showing that the cial case. This year’s movies have to audiences are tired of lazy filmcompete with 2015 and 2016, two making. Universal tried to kick years which saw the releases of 10 start a cinematic universe with movies that are in the list of the “The Mummy,” but audiences retop 50 highest grossing films of all sponded with a similar cold shoultime. der.

I think the issue in 2017 is not Despite these cinematic failthe quality of the films, but the ures, there were more high qual-

ity films released this season than not. Most films that came out were at the very least good, and at best endlessly entertaining. So if you failed to escape the heat for these films, then hopefully you’ll be able to catch them on your study breaks on your lazy nights in.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” As my most anticipated film did a lot to change the Marvel for- of the summer, Edgar Wright’s mula, focusing on characters and “Baby Driver” had a lot to live up to. their relationships instead of action While it’s not a perfect film, this set-pieces and developing the other semi-musical action film was probfilms in the cinematic universe. It’s ably the most fun I had in theaters. a sequel that chooses to grow its The writing and performances are characters, trusting the audience great and the action sequences are to enjoy dialogue and emotional expertly choreographed and linepayoffs rather than explosions and up beautifully with the soundtrack. fights. Yet, the film still delivers Speaking of which, the soundtrack on thrilling action scenes that now is a mix of funk, soul and rock, have more weight thanks to the making for a catchy backdrop for developed characters. I honestly the action. It’s not only a great believe this is better than the first, time at the movies, but it also reand I think others will look back minded me of why I love Wright’s and say the same thing. work and why I can’t wait to see

what other films are in store. throughout the film.

“The Big Sick” was probably While not the crazy John Wickthe biggest indie darling of the esque action flick I was expecting, past few months and after seeing “Atomic Blonde” still managed to it I know why. Kumail Nanjiani’s deliver intense fights along with story of how he met his future wife intriguing spy antics. Charland her life-threatening illness is ize Theron is great as the titular at once hilarious and emotional. “Blonde”, managing to exude chaYet, the film manages to balance risma despite her character’s subthe two conflicting tones with dued delivery and manor. The mugreat writing and performances sic and visuals are indicative of the that make the characters instantly dark times and setting, using the likeable. What separates this film fall of the Berlin Wall as the backfrom other Apatow releases like drop to the amusingly convoluted Trainwreck is how personal it feels. plot. While the spy story can be This was something Nanjiani actu- cliched, it was still a fun time and ally experienced and that was clear worth seeing for fans of this genre.

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Monday, August 21, 2017

9

Millenial haven IMAGES COURTESY OF MORGUE FILES

KEYRIS MANZANARES Contributing Writer

Hispaniola: shared island split by tense, violent history GEORGIA GREEN Staff Writer In the Dominican Republic, U.S. President Donald Trump often serves as a conversational segway into comments on the Caribbean nation´s high concentration of Haitian immigrants.

The origins of antihaitianismo, or “anti-Haitianism” are different from some Americans’ distaste for immigrants, the results are similar. Feelings of animosity persist among many and immigrants find it harder to go about their lives.

While U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids U.S. cities, Dominican-born children of undocumented immigrants, mostly Haitians, are stripped of their birthright citizenship — a 2013 court ruling implemented this practice.

Facebook pages such as ¨No somos Haiti,¨ (¨We are not Haiti¨) have amassed many followers, in this case about 38,000. The majority of posts on these pages accuse Haitians of crimes and express negative opinions about the group in general.

The owner of the page, Angelo Vasquez, describes the group as a nationalist movement that looks to restore the Dominican Republic’s creole culture, as well as “recover our values, our honor and our religion.” Vasquez’s comments

were translated from Spanish.

He said issues like government corruption, in addition to drug use by minors and teen pregnancies, are part of an overall problem, to which Haitian immigrants contribute. “(A lack of border control) makes it so that drugs and other things can enter,” Vasquez said. “(Haitian)] come and burn flags.

They say the land belongs to them.”

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola and a tense history, beginning in colonial times. Spain originally controlled the colony of Santo Domingo, what would later become the Dominican Republic, and ceded the land to France in 1795.

However, those of primarily Spanish descent rejected what they saw as a French and African culture, instead heralding themselves as lightskinned, Hispanic and Catholic.

Violence has since been perpetuated by both sides — after Haiti became independent in the early 19th century, it occupied Santo Domingo for 22 years, before the former colony won its independence and became the Dominican Republic.

Under Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants and dark-skinned

Haiti became independent in the early 19th century and occupied Santo Domingo for 22 years before winning independence and becoming the Dominican Republic Dominicans were killed in the first half of the 20th century.

Some Dominicans believe Haiti plans to reclaim Dominican territory. According to Vasquez, and a post on the page, 98 Dominican soldiers were killed by Haitians in order to obtain guns.

Videos on pages like “No somos Haiti” claim to show Haitians militarizing within the Dominican Republic. Other photos and videos are graphic, showing injured individuals who were supposedly attacked by Haitians.

Organizations like We Are All Dominican, a New York Citybased group, oppose nationalist campaigns of this nature. They label many of the viral images and

stories as “misinformation,” according to the group’s website.

“We are alarmed by the decades long process that has sought to strip an entire ethnic group of their right to an education, employment, social services, as well as the right to vote and equal protection under the law,” a post on the site says.

According to We Are All Dominican, the 2013 ruling has rendered many Haitian immigrants stateless.

One post on ¨No somos Haiti¨ includes an image with a caption that would ring bells for many Americans: ¨We must build a wall on the border and make Haiti pay for it.¨

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Time Magazine recently released research showing where millennials are finding homes, working and raising a family and Virginia cities claim the top two spots.

Virginia Beach is ranked no.

1, followed by Richmond at no.

2. The number of millennials in Richmond grew 14.9 percent — or by 5,176 people — between 2010 and 2015. The research, conducted by the Urban Land Institute, shows that while cities like Los Angeles and New York City are still places considered “millennial magnets,” the research brings to light the most relative growth for the millennial population.

Richmond constantly ranks in the U.S. News & World Report for Best Places to live.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, it may due to a relatively high annual salary and a strong job market for the age group.

However, Richmond resident Alyssa Hard believes the art scene plays a large role in millennials flocking to the River City.

“The art scene in Richmond is one that is non-gendered,” Hard said. “It’s an art culture that isn’t afraid to break the rules and norms. The people of Richmond are of all genders, and while the transgender and non-binary community here continue to grow, so does their art and this contributes to the unique forms of art found in richmond. It’s non-traditional and gritty because of the unique people who are making art.”

While Richmond is a city full of American history, it is also one that is trying to write a history of it’s own. Richmond has become a place of acceptance for many of it’s residents, who report that it’s somewhere they moved to because they felt like they could be themselves.

“I chose Richmond because it’s a place where I don’t have to hide my tattoos,” said Alice Bennette, Richmond resident. “I can walk around and people notice me not just what’s painted on my body.”

With the tattoo industry in Richmond continuing to grow, numerous publications have named Richmond as a “top tattooed city.”

“A lot of people travel to Richmond to get tattooed by certain artists and it’s a more accepting place if you have tattoos,” said Paria Tehari.

Recently, UnKindness Art, a tattoo parlor on West Broad Street in Jackson Ward, competed on “Master Ink” on Spike TV.

The art scene here is small so it’s easier to get into the scene and find community Amarise Carreras Richmond’s art scene is catered to an array of audiences, with content relatable for under-represented groups. Enriched by Richmond natives and out of town college students who contribute to the art scene, the strong love for art can be seen during First Friday, an art walk down West Broad Street on every first Friday of the month.

With free entries to stores and galleries to view art, such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond receives a substantial amount of guests.

The accessibility of the Richmnd art scene plays a role in artists’ inspiration. The art many times is external like the murals covering the buildings and the streets, making it possible for anyone to feel like a part of the art world.

“The art scene here is small so it’s easier to get into the scene and find community,” said Amarise Carreras, a recent VCUarts graduate. “Whereas other cities can be more competitive and harder to get your foot in the door, this area is also much more affordable than big cities like New York or Los Angeles so you get more of a chance to become an artist without being a “starving artist.”

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opinions

Monday, August 21 2017 11

Quote of the week I have the privilege of working with the most brilliant minds on campus and hard-working, patient people.

Social media activism isn’t activism -continued from page 1

ILLUSTRATION BY GRACE HUNSINGER

This month, various “alt-right” white supremacy groups gathered in Charlottesville for a “Unite the Right” rally that made headlines after a car drove into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one and injuring 19 others.

Many Americans took to social media to state their surprise, admittedly “shocked” that something like this could happen in 2017 — but what’s so shocking about it?

Really, you’re surprised?

Yes, intolerance was given a larger platform to exist freely since President Trump was elected, allowing white supremacy groups to further mobilize — but their existence is the reality of America, and this is nothing new.

With violence on the rise, the burning question on everyone’s mind is, “well, what do we do now?”

We can tweet, post and share every article or video on the internet but what does that actually accomplish?

Although these posts may invoke necessary conversation, it’s not enough.

It is not enough for us to only recognize our white privilege. It is not enough to admit our privilege on the internet, in front of POC (people of color) peer, via article or post. It is not enough to recognize and admit yet refrain from doing anything proactive about it.

Members of the President’s administration and the President

Some people react to violence with the idea that if we all agree to coexist and love each other, peace and equality will prevail. How do we coexist with a group that seeks the demise of another group?

It is not enough to Changing your profile picture on Facebook to show that you support admit our privilege the cause at hand does nothing to actually make any change. It takes action on every political level to on the internet . . . make real change. The first step is to understand what part you’re goIt is not enough to ing to play in this process.

Us Americans that are white, recognize and adable-bodied and of financial mit yet refrain from means do not know what it’s like to live in a country that does not cater to us. We are not made to do anything . . . feel uncomfortable in environments because we are underrepKatie Bashista, resented. We don’t suffer from institutions that not only continue Opinions Editor to work against us, but criticize us when we take a stand to obtain the himself do not respect the notion rights we deserve. of “liberty and justice for all” and We cannot just simply hear what it is our job to help bring this to the minorities and POC in this light and replace intolerance with country have to say, but we must tolerance. listen. These marches, rallies and According to the Southern Pov- other displays of protest are not for erty Law Center, there were 917 us. We are there to support these hate groups in the United States in marginalized groups, not to be the 2016. Although these groups may center of attention. We must realhave been more underground in ize that it’s not anyone’s job to tell past years, they have existed and us what to do to help. We need to continue to exist today — only now learn from observing and through it feels more real and more danger- constructive dialogue. ous because they have risen from It’s time to practice what we preach their private burnings of the cross online in 140 characters or less. and reemerged into the public eye.

Letter from the editor Over the years, various posters cycled through my childhood bedroom wall. After the Gilbert Arenas and LeBron James posters basked in the limelight, a Friends poster and tapestry later replaced them — but one sentiment remained unchanged.

Adjacent to my bed hangs the July 5, 1996 issue of the Washington Post. The above the fold headlines read “Buoyant Yeltsin Retains Premiere” and “America’s Birthday Bash,” accompanied by a black and white photo of the White House lit up by fireworks from the Independence Day celebration the night before. My father saved the newspaper from the day I was born — little did he know how much that small exertion would one day mean to me.

I began adding more clippings I found captivating until the wall was covered. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized how long I have been invested in journalism.

One snow day, when I was 8 or 9 years old, my younger sister and I created the “Belletti Times” and made our own family newspaper. In middle school, five classmates and I created “Paw Prints,” a four page quarterly newspaper (although I would hardly call it a newspaper). In high school I joined the paper and my newspaper advisor, essentially, changed my life. For the first time in my academic career a teacher, the scintillating Mr. Dahl took an interest in my future and saw me as more than the class clown or another student who turned in assignments late. My senior year Mr. Dahl hired me for an editor position and trusted me with the finances. From that year on I knew journalism was my calling.

Within my first few days as a bright eyed freshman, I marched alone down to the Student Media Center. As I entered the windowless newsroom lit up by fluorescent lights, clusters of CT employees greeted me and raved about what a life changing experience the CT

is. I wandered over and met with Alonzo, the sports editor at the time. While explaining how the paper operated and what opportunities it had thrown his way, he made an off-hand comment about how the sports editor travels to cover the Atlantic 10 and NCAA basketball tournament, as if that wasn’t the coolest thing ever.

From that moment on, I knew I wanted his job. I knew I wanted to slip in a question to the coach during the press conference of the A-10 basketball finals. I knew I wanted to sit at the courtside media table at the NCAA basketball tournament. And that’s what happened.

My stint as sports editor was exhilarating. From attending a Washington Wizards press conference surrounded by seasoned reporters to interviewing Kelly Oubre Jr. to sitting down oneon-one with JeQuan Lewis to traveling to Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City for the basketball tournaments, it was the experience of a lifetime. I had a co-editor who would most likely take a bullet for me and an eager staff of dedicated writers. I was living the dream of my 8-year-old self at 20 years old and already anticipated my second year as sports editor before the first even ended.

Then I was thrown the opportunity of a lifetime.

The award-winning staff of the Commonwealth Times voted for me to assume the role of executive editor for the 2017-18 school year.

They wanted me to run the newspaper that would later be awarded the best non-daily paper in the state by the Virginia Press Association for 2016.

Me. Sophia Belletti. The girl who slipped and fell on a banana peel. The girl who spent five hours last week in the emergency room because she got stung by a bee in the eye and it swelled shut. The girl who was just walking, not even running, and tripped over a bamboo stump and left the ER with 12 stitches on her shin.

Aside from my ridiculous antics, awful jokes and constant out-

bursts, this staff saw something in me I didn’t see myself. If anyone told me three years ago when I first walked into the SMC I would be running my college’s newspaper my senior year, I would have laughed and told them they clearly don’t know who they’re talking to.

But in my fourth year with the CT, I’m realizing how much I’ve grown and learned, and it’s all attributed to my time spent inside the little yellow building at 817 W. Broad St. My writing improved after weeks of the copy editor tearing my first drafts apart freshman year. I learned to manage my time (I say that as I write this hours before sending the paper to print) when I was assigned four stories a week while taking 15 credits sophomore year. I learned how to edit and lead a small staff of sports writers junior year.

All the above and so much more prepared me for this role today. And although three years of involvement at the CT guided me to a peaceful transfer of power, what has made my first produc-

I was living the dream of my 8-year-old self at 20 years old and already anticipated my second year as sports editor before the first even ended.

Sophia Belletti, Executive Editor

ILLUSTRATION BY IAIN DUFFUS

SOPHIA BELLETTI Executive Editor

tion as executive editor so easy is the staff I have behind me. Weeks leading up to the first production, everyone made it eminently explicit they anticipated the first issue and the weeks to come. Every member has said multiple times “what else can I do boss” or “want me to copy edit that” and reiterated they’re behind me in everyway,

110 percent.

As I get pulled away from my soapbox, I’ll end on this. I wouldn’t know half the things I know if it wasn’t for this job. As platitude as it sounds, we’re a family. We spend all weekend together. We laugh together, we cry together, but above all, everyone has each other’s back. I have

the privilege of working with the most brilliant minds on campus and hard-working, patient people.

You don’t need experience. You don’t need a journalism major. All you need is drive and to care.

Do the damn thing. Join the paper.

comics

12 The Commonwealth Times

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Welcome to VCU by Malik Radford

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Back To School by Jacque Chandler

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ABOUT THE CT The Commonwealth Times is the award-winning independent student newspaper at VCU, since 1969. The CT staff maintains all editorial and operations discretion. There is absolutely no prior review by the public, university or VCU Student Media Center administration or staff. The Executive Editor writes and manages the Operations Budget.

The CT’s Operations Budget is a reflection of independent advertising revenue accumulated throughout the previous academic year(s). Operations expenses include salaries, phone and internet, postage, professional memberships, award submissions and banquets, FOIA requests, programming costs and travel.

Each spring, the CT staff elects the next year’s Executive and Managing Editors, who then hire the remaining staff.

ADD YOUR VOICE

Rambunctious by Ian Crovella

The opinion pages of The CT are a forum open to the public. Contributions are welcome by email to Katie Bashista, by mail or in-person at 817 W. Broad St., Richmond, Va. 23220. Opinions expressed are those of individual columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The CT staff.

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