Opinion
Recently, I had the honor of joining the Race Coalition of Fredericksburg at a beautiful commemoration of Juneteenth – a day of liberation. I reflect on how the day comes in a week that has been marked by a horrific event in Charleston – the ruthless murder of nine innocent people by a racist young man filled with hate and armed with a gun.
This tragedy shakes us to our core, but we have witnessed racially motivated violence before. That sense of fear and horror brings us back to the same question: When will this violence and terror finally end?
I search for words to try to stay uplifted and strong, so I can be an effective witness and an instrument for peace. I struggle with being so angry at this mayhem and the racism that caused it.
Every time I have to drive by that racist flag on I-95, evidence that the evil of racism resides here in our community, I feel this anger. It would be easy to give into it, but Dr. King told us, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Justice will be served. But to drive out the hate that brought this tragedy, we must love one another. I am reminded to keep building the Beloved Community that Dr. King wanted for us all. “The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends … It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men.”
And so, Juneteenth. A day born of celebration for the righting of a wrong. A day when justice and freedom were finally brought to an enslaved people. A day we can focus on goodwill and understanding, and building our Beloved Community.
I am running for the House of Delegates, and if I am given that honor of representing our community, I will do everything I can to make Juneteenth a state holiday so that our Commonwealth can spend this day working for freedom from fear, and freedom from hate as we build the Beloved Community that we all deserve.
Recent Stories
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Kelly Hannon from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as we discuss the ongoing snowstorm impacting the Fredericksburg region and beyond. With some areas, including Stafford County, seeing up to 8 inches of snow, VDOT crews are working tirelessly to clear roads and ensure safety.
Banter and Bunny are both available for adoption. Banter(left) is a young female that was found as a stray. Bunny(right) is seven years old and was released by his owner because they just no longer wanted him. For adoption info on these two cuties, give us a call at 703-257-2420.
(The Center Square) – Virginia has three new congressmen following the swearing-in ceremonies for the 119th Congress held at the Capitol in Washington on Friday.
Two Democrats and one Republican took office, making the commonwealth’s party delegation unchanged.
Democratic Reps. Eugene Vindman (7th Congressional District) and Suhas Subramanyam (10th) joined Republican Rep. John McGuire (5th) being sworn into office, along with eight other members of the Virginia delegation in the U.S. House Representatives.
As the heaviest snowstorm in years blanketed Stafford County and the Fredericksburg region, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have been working tirelessly to clear roads and keep essential routes passable. Stafford County saw some of the highest snow totals in the area, with accumulations reaching up to 8 inches, and more snow is expected later today.
Kelly Hannon, spokesperson for VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, emphasized the challenges faced by crews during the storm. “Our teams have been making repeated passes since it started snowing around midnight,” Hannon said. “We’ve focused on major routes like I-95, Route 1, Route 17, and Route 610 to ensure access to critical areas, including public safety facilities.”
Send us your snow photos to [email protected], on X @PotomacLocal, or text to 571-989-1695
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
We’re offering a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore how therapy can work for you. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, looking for support, or just want to talk things through, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Scheduling is simple and convenient. Choose the option that works best for you:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
