Category Archives: Race

The struggle toward inclusiveness

Monday, February 15, 2010 – 8:01 am

This op-ed appeared in the Virginian-Pilot on Sunday, February 14, 2010.
I’VE BEEN thinking about the subject of race in an ideal society, a world where we talk about race without making everything about race. It’s something I long for, something I once thought was not only possible but just around the corner. I’m no longer [...]

By vjp | Also posted in Local, National, Norfolk, Politics, Virginia | Comments (12)

Random, interrelated thoughts

Friday, January 22, 2010 – 8:35 am

I spent some time yesterday with some folks that reinforced in my mind a few things. One is that a lot of people never even bother to try to put themselves in the shoes of another. While failing to acknowledge that their perspective is shaped by who they are and their own life’s experiences, they [...]

By vjp | Also posted in General | Comments (6)

Race: the conversation we haven’t had

Monday, January 11, 2010 – 8:37 am

The weekend provided more examples of the ongoing lack of conversation about race in this country.
Michael Steele has been, by most accounts, an embarrassment to the Republican National Committee. The list of things he’s done wrong got longer with the release of a book he wrote, a book he never bothered to tell anyone about. [...]

By vjp | Also posted in National, Politics | Comments (18)

Opinion, please: “Black Fur-iday”

Friday, November 20, 2009 – 8:46 am

It seems that animal shelters find black cats and dogs difficult to be adopted. In a play on words, the Norfolk Animal Care Center is holding a “sale” on the animals, to coincide with Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. The “sale” provides for adoption fees of black cats and dogs [...]

By vjp | Also posted in Hampton Roads, Local, Norfolk | Comments (18)

Pilot snapshot: race in America

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 – 10:10 am

Three different stories in Tuesday’s Virginian-Pilot provide a snapshot of where America is on the issue of race. The first two stories were news stories, the third an op-ed piece.

By vjp | Also posted in Politics | Comments (4)

42 years ago: Loving v Virginia

Friday, June 12, 2009 – 10:44 am

Forty-two years ago today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in the case of Richard and Mildred Loving, a mixed couple who were barred under Virginia law from marrying.
I thought about this case a couple of weeks ago as I met, for the first time, with a man originally from the Philippines who [...]

By vjp | Also posted in Politics, Virginia | Comments (9)

Richmond Crusade for Voters controversy

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – 8:33 am

I was a wee bit busy when the announcement was made of the endorsement of Terry McAuliffe by the Richmond Crusade for Voters. I did see that Sen. Henry Marsh, a long-time member of the historic black organization and a supporter of Creigh Deeds, was upset by the vote, as pointed out by the Richmond [...]

By vjp | Also posted in 2009 Elections, Local, Politics, Terry McAuliffe, Virginia | Comments Off

VA premiere: HBO’s The Black List Vol. 2

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – 9:09 am

I attended the Virginia premiere of HBO’s The Black List Vol. 2 last night in Norfolk.  The event was done in conjunction with Cox Communications and The Urban League.
The documentary was compelling and had the Chrysler Hall audience alternatively clapping, laughing and somber. What was most intriguing was the Q and A session afterwards with [...]

By vjp | Also posted in Fun stuff, Local | Comments Off