"The Virginia Roots of Today's Radical Right and the Crisis of American Democracy," with Professor Nancy MacLean

Wednesday, December 13th 2017, from 7-9pm at VCU's Cabell Library (901 Park Avenue, Richmond VA), historian and author Nancy MacLean, of Duke University, will give a talk based on her new book, which asserts that the modern far right traces its ideological roots to the capitalist economist James McGill Buchanan. 

Free, open to the public, but you must register. 

To register and for more information, see this link. 

"The Economic Impact of Large-Scale Property Losses Resulting from the 1948 Arab-Israeli War."

This Wednesday, October 25th 2017, at 6:30pm, in room 118 of the Jepson School (University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, Richmond VA), Professor Michael Fischbach will be giving a lecture titled, "The Economic Impact of Large-Scale Property Losses Resulting from the 1948 Arab-Israeli War." The talk will address the fate of property abandoned by Palestinian refugees of the war, and the war's impact on Israel's ability to develop economically and accept immigrants from other countries.

Dr. Fischbach is a professor of history at Randolph Macon College and a member of Richmonders for Peace in Israel and Palestine. The event is free.

Screening of "Denial"

Sunday, October 8th 2017, from 3-5:30pm at the Weinstein JCC (5403 Monument Avenue, Richmond VA), there will be a screening of the 2016 film "Denial," followed by a discussion panel featuring Holocaust survivor Dr. Roger Loria and Charm Bullard, Director of Programs at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. The film is a drama based on the non-fiction book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier," by historian Deborah Lipstadt.

In her 1993 book "Denying the Holocaust," Lipstadt referred to another author, the antisemitic racist David Irving, as a Holocaust denier. Irving took Lipstadt and her publisher to court in England for libel. Lipstadt brought evidence to the court to prove that her characterization of Irving was justified, because 1. the Holocaust happened, and 2. Irving claimed that it did not. She won the case.

The event costs $6 for Weinstein Jewish Community Center members and $10 for non-members. For more info and to RSVP, see the link.

Panel Discussion: "Preserving African American Stories: Collaborations, Crowdsourcing, and How You Can Help."

Friday. September 15th 2017, from 5:30-7:15pm, at the Library of Virginia (800 East Broad Street, Richmond VA), there will be a panel discussion titled "Preserving African American Stories: Collaborations, Crowdsourcing, and How You Can Help." This event is an optional addition to “Virginia: Where African American Genealogy and History Begin," a conference to be held the following day. From the event description:

"Individual researchers, families, civic organizations, museums, and record keepers—physical and digital—all have a role in telling and preserving the rich and varied story of African Americans in Virginia and the nation. Panel members Gregg Kimball (director of Public Services & Outreach at the Library), Emily Schultz (with FamilySearch), and Selma Stewart (past president of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society) will discuss current efforts and model projects to advance our shared goals of accessibility, public engagement, and long-term record preservation with moderator Thom Reed of FamilySearch."

Free, open to the public. For more information, contact catherine.wyatt@lva.virginia.gov or (804) 692-3999. To RSVP, see the link.

Faith & Community: The Role of the African American Church in Richmond

This Thursday, August 17th 2017, from 12-1pm at the Library of Virginia (800 East Broad Street, Richmond VA), there will be a panel discussion titled "Faith & Community: the Role of the African American Church in Richmond." From the event description:

"The 150th anniversary of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church (The Mount - Richmond), one of Richmond’s most historic congregations, is the inspiration for this discussion of the African American church’s role and impact—both historical and current—on Richmond’s culture. Moderator Samantha Willis, arts and entertainment editor for Richmond Magazine, will lead this conversation with community historian Elvatrice Belsches, Reverend Tyrone Nelson of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Dr. Andrew White, a senior minister with ties to Virginia Union University and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. Cosponsored by Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church."

Free, open to the public. For more information, contact Catherine Wyatt at catherine.wyatt@lva.virginia.gov or (804) 692-3999. For more info and to RSVP, see the link. 

Reclaiming Cinco de Mayo/ Reclamando Cinco de Mayo

Para español, mira la pagina.

This Wednesday, May 3rd 2017, from 5-7pm, Wellness Events and Parties is holding an event discussing the history of the holiday Cinco de Mayo. Speakers include director Xemi the Two-Spirit and photographer Carlos Bernate.

Free, open to the public. Venue to be determined. This is a sober event.

For more info and to RSVP, see the link.

Film Showing with Richmond Struggle: November (2004)

This Saturday, April 1st 2017, from 2-4pm, in room 404 of VCU's Cabell Library (901 Park Avenue, Richmond VA), Richmond Struggle is holding a showing of the film November, by artist Hito Steyerl, about the life and death of Andrea "Ronahi" Wolf. Wolf was active in anti-imperialist politics in West Germany throughout the 80s; facing charges for her activities, she joined the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) in 1996. She was executed by the Turkish army in October 1998.

The 25 minute long film will be followed by a discussion. Refreshments provided.

Free, open to the public. The venue is wheelchair accessible with accessible bathrooms; unisex single-stall bathrooms are available in the basement. 

For more information and to RSVP, see this link. 

Showing of "Liberty and Slavery: The Paradox of America’s Founding Fathers"

Thursday, February 16th 2017, from 6:30-8pm, at the Virginia Historical Society (428 North Boulevard, Richmond VA), there will be a screening of the film "Liberty and Slavery: The Paradox of America's Founding Fathers," followed by commentary from the director, Troy Thomas. 

Free, open to the public. This event is part of the annual "Created Equal Film Series". 

For more info, see this link. To add this event to your Google Calendar, click here. 

Showing of "Meet Me in the Bottom: the Struggle to Reclaim Richmond's African Burial Ground": the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality

This Friday, November 11th, from 5-7pm, in room 1030J on the first floor of West Grace North Student Housing (830 West Grace Street, Richmond VA), the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality are holding a showing of the documentary “Meet Me in the Bottom: the Struggle to Reclaim Richmond’s African Burial Ground.” This award-winning film, directed by VCU’s own Dr. Shawn Utsey, tells the story of the 9-year community struggle to recover Richmond’s African Burial Ground, covered by a VCU parking lot until 2011. 

The film (40 minutes) will be introduced by Ana Edwards of the Defenders’ Sacred Ground Reclamation Project, who will fill us in on the ongoing fight to memorialize what was once the hub of the domestic slave trade. Though reclaiming the Burial Ground in 2011 was a great victory, the work to establish Shockoe Bottom as an international site of conscience isn’t over yet. Ana will talk about the ongoing work, and ways to get involved.

The event is free, and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The venue is wheelchair accessible. For more info and to RSVP, see the Facebook event page here. 

Black Panther Party for Self Defense 50th Anniversary

Yesterday, October 15th 2016, was the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. 

Established in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, the BPP was a Marxist Black liberation organization. They fought against the overt violence of racist cops and the covert brutality of poverty, hunger, and degradation. They established survival programs to do the work the government wouldn’t, worked to oppose American imperialism abroad, published a newspaper, and agitated for their Ten Point Plan which ended “We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace!”

The FBI targeted the Panthers under the COINTELPRO program, subjecting them to surveillance, infiltration, perjury, harassment, smear campaigns, and assassinations. Despite fighting valiantly, the party was dissolved in 1982. 

From left to right: a BPP poster, Bobby Hutton (the first recruit, murdered at 16 by police), Elaine Brown (Party Chair from 1974-1977), Kathleen Cleaver (Party Communications Secretary), Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, and a gathering of the Free Breakfast Program. 

“Recovering and Preserving Our LGBTQ Past” with Historians Richard Godbeer and Marc Stein: Diversity Richmond

Thursday, October 13th 2016, at 7pm, at the Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond (1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond VA), there will be an event titled “Recovering and Preserving Our LGBTQ Past.”

Two acclaimed historians of US LGBTQ history, Richard Godbeer (director of the Humanities Research Center and professor of history at Virginia Commonwealth University) and Marc Stein (Jamie and Phyllis Pasker Professor of History at San Francisco State University) will speak on the importance of recovering and preserving local and institutional histories relating to the LGBTQ experience. In particular, they will speak on the 40th anniversary of the successful lawsuit to compel VCU to officially recognize its first LGBTQ student group.

Free, open to the public. Email RSVP@diversityrichmond.org to RSVP.