VCC Magazine Summer 2019

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S ummer 2019 6 • Make the Earned Income Tax Credit fully refundable, as included in the governor’s proposed budget. The EITC creates opportunity for low income families of all races by providing relief from taxes on food and other products. This proposal would provide an economic boost in struggling communities. • Increase support staff in Virginia’s public schools, as proposed by Delegate Delores McQuinn and Senators Rosalyn Dance and Jennifer McClellan. The suspension rate for black students was 3.8 times higher than for Hispanic and white students. Support staffers, such as school counselors, are crucial for proactively identifying student behavior challenges, and implementing evidence-based alternatives to school exclusion. • Expand access to the ballot box by allowing Virginians to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day. I proposed this legislation this year to eliminate unnecessary barriers to our chipdicks @ gentrylocke.com 804.225.5507 gentrylocke.com/chip CHIP DICKS Legislative Counsel Renaming a Boulevard By Councilwoman Kimberly B. Gray 2019 is a momentous year for all Virginians as we join the rest of the nation in commemorating 400 years of history since the firstAfricanAmericans arrived in Jamestown. While celebrating the progress that we have made since 1619 is appropriate, it is equally important to realize that this year presents a great opportunity for African Americans to assess our current status inVirginia and in the United States and to rededicate ourselves to a deeper reconciliation. Reconciliation means different things to different people. For many reconciliation signifies a bringing together of those of diverse backgrounds and experiences in order to find common ground. For me, reconciliation has been more of an internal process and a journey through my own history and belief systems. Before we can reconcile with others, each of us must first come to terms with ourselves and our own respective histories. Only then can we begin to facilitate the healing process. Reconciliation includes forgiveness. Forgiveness in the face of ignorance and intolerance from those who lack the empathy and understanding of another’s pain and struggle is crucial. Reconciliation also involves acceptance—not of the injustices that may continue to hold us back, but of the fact that all of us are human and therefore fallible and imperfect beings. An especially appropriate recent example of reconciliation is Richmond City Council’s unanimous approval in February of legislation that I sponsored to rename the Boulevard in honor of the late Arthur Ashe, the Hall of Fame tennis star and international humanitarian who posthumously received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Council had twice previously rejected the name change, with some who lived on the Boulevard being especially vocal in their opposition. This time, a diverse group of supporters of the name change joined forces to speak eloquently about how meaningful Arthur Ashe Boulevard would be to them. They characterized the change as a way for Richmond to demonstrate to Virginia, the nation and the world how far the City had come in promoting racial reconciliation and healing. Many African Americans and people of color were emphatic in advocating for a positive and inspirational message that Richmond is welcoming to all who come here. It is my hope that the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Dedication ceremony on June 22 helped to reconcile supporters and opponents by bringing about a greater understanding of the positive importance that the new name is to many who feel that their history and accomplishments have not been heretofore appropriately recognized. We must continue to challenge and enlighten others about the behaviors and beliefs that even now still attempt to divide us. As we celebrate the progress of 400 years of struggle, survival and triumph, let us move forward and be steadfast in our journey toward complete and total reconciliation, justice and equality. Richmond Councilwoman Kimberly B. Gray is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. She also serves as a trustee for the Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees. She was elected to the Richmond City Council in 2017 to serve until the end of 2020. democracy, which all too often affect minority communities and the elderly disproportionately. It is important to remember that many of the challenges black communities face are the product of discriminatory policy decisions that leaders in Richmond made throughout our 400-year history. Solving those problems requires a new set of policy decisions and the courage of leaders from every walk of life and every part of Virginia to step forward together. If we are serious about healing the damage caused by slavery and Jim Crow laws, we must respond with real, tangible action. The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is ready for our colleagues in the General Assembly to join us in building a better Virginia for all. Delegate Lamont Bagby is a Democrat, representing the 74th District, which includes part of Henrico. An Agenda to Build from page 5 Dr. Brenda D. Long Executive Director (540) 760-2504 FAX (540) 961-4392 email brendalong73@gmail.com www.virginiaacte.org V V