GMU FACULTY SUPPORTS ITS CUSTODIANS Professors at George Mason University in Fairfax are expressing solidarity with the custodial workers, who say that they were exposed to poor working conditions and have faced retribution for trying to organize. More than 220 people… Read More ›
State
Gaslight Parade
As Alice fell through the rabbit hole tunnel to Wonderland, she was beset by many things, from books to jars to a bust of the rabbit itself. Bedazzled and in a dreamlike state, Alice had to work her way through… Read More ›
Women Change Power in Political Climate
By Frank Blechman It is in the nature of any sizable change that it is hard to see it while it is ongoing. Some people foresee something and think they know the future for sure; others deny change, even as… Read More ›
Tone Deaf in a Cone of Silence
Despite a national civil war and a violent attack upon the 2020 presidential election results, neither major American political party nor their leaderships has undertaken steps toward creating channels for an improved and effective process of dialogue between elected officials… Read More ›
Lies Suborn the Faithful
Editors’ Note: Reposted from NPR, February 21, 2021. Jared Stacy is still processing his decision to leave Spotswood Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Va., last year. Until November, he was ministering to young parishioners in their 20s and 30s. But in… Read More ›
POST-CORONA: From Crisis to Opportunity
Book Review by Frank Blechman Readers have noted that I can’t seem to just say what I have to say. I seem to wander around until I get to the point of my column. For those annoyed by this, I… Read More ›
Outside the Novahood
Editors’ Note: Our feature ‘Briefly Noted’ is now renamed Outside the Novahood to reflect more geographically its content: items that arise or occur beyond Northern Virginia and, sometimes, elsewhere. KNEELING ATHLETES BROUGHT TO HEEL Bluefield College, a school that competes… Read More ›
Racial Inequities Survive in Virginia
Editors’ Note: Reposted from the Associated Press, February 10, 2021. VoxFairfax deemed this short piece an insightful explanation of structural and/or systemic racism. Jim Crow has survived in many respects out of sight but not out of effect. Virginia needs sweeping… Read More ›
White, Christian Extremism
Editors’ Note: Excerpted from The New York Times, Feb. 8, 2021. Often overlooked is the relationship between religion and racial animus, particularly the reliance upon religious symbolism as justification for discrimination. This interview with a historian on the subject traces… Read More ›
Colloquy: Promote the General Welfare
Editors’ Note: This is the third in a series feature in which VF editors may join along with volunteer contributors to discuss a contemporary topic. This “real time” installment features Jim McCarthy, Frank Blechman, Barbara Levine, and Andrew Scalise. Our… Read More ›