Belle writes:
Previously unheard voices of dissent within the City’s black community are now speaking out about how private groups and public officials have conducted themselves in the wake of the attacks by CHS students. Lisa Provence has the story in The Hook. Note: Provence’s last, related story, concerning media coverage of the attacks, created at lot of discussion at cvillenews.com.
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on four six and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #
Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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I think the keywords here are “Previously unheard.” Kudos to Lisa for making these words heard, and criticising the earlier media coverage which ignored them.
Lisa did a great job getting people to talk. I think a lot of African-American’s are unhappy with the support effort of Alvin Edwards committee but they are not speaking out publicly. Members of various African-American congregations have told me that they received a letter from the support committee asking for money. They didn’t send any because they don’t want to condone the violence. They also don’t want to go public with their disent.
Kevin Cox
Kudos to Lisa for making these words heard, and criticising the earlier media coverage which ignored them.
Yes, kudos to the reporter. I think that while The Hook hasn’t been reporting on the day-by-day details of attacks and trials (which is the natural province of a daily paper, or the electronic media), they have done a super job in these two pieces from Provence. Both remind us that this story — of race and crime and politics in Charlottesville — is anything but simple.
I didn’t see in the story any criticism of the other media, though — as you suggest. Rather, I think her point that those black Charlottesvillians who didn’t like the way the way Edwards and the City handled themselves were “reluctant” to speak out before now.
I suppose the relevant questions are: why reluctant before?; and why not now?
Would you attribute any political (i.e., May 7th) importance to this dissent?
No, I don’t think so. I think Kenneth Jackson is a brave soul who wants people to know the truth and wants to build a constructive dialog that helps heal instead of dividing us further.
Kevin Cox
I think Kenneth Jackson is a brave soul who wants people to know the truth
… and who wants people to vote for non-incumbent Rob Schilling.
There’s political significance to everything.