This Is What Democracy Looks Like

Last year I participated in the first rva May Day parade, here, feeling the need to represent and show my support for the unemployed workers of whom I'd recently become a member. Here I am a year later, still looking for work (the Census won't go on forever) and marching today in my second May Day parade.

The rally began at 4:00 at Abner Clay Park and we heard from various speakers from organizations like Food Not Bombs, the Socialist Party and the Virginia People's Assembly; some were inspirational, others informational and one guy did some excellent spoken word. The organizers had even secured a permit this year, giving us a police escort as we headed down Clay Street past my house into Carver to Harrison, where we headed up to Broad and turned onto Adams. Along Broad Street, restaurant employees stood outside watching us since the dinner rush had not yet begun.

Last year's parade was part of First Fridays and stayed in that area, so tonight's route was far longer. People were out on the streets in much large numbers this year too, watching and waving us on; it may have been the music and our chanting that brought them out of their houses. Traffic was stopped for us at key intersections and we even got some honks of approval and raised fists from supporters as we moved along. Mostly, people took pictures and waved but at least they saw our message.

The sign I was carrying high over my head said, "Solidarity. Workers Unite." Assuming my status doesn't change, next year I plan to make my own sign to acknowledge people like me. I think it'll say something like. "Jobs for ALL."

But whether I'm working or not, I know I'll be walking in the parade. After all, May Day kicks off my birthday month and there's nothing like a parade to begin the festivities.

Likewise, there's no feeling quite like being part of democracy in action.

Do the Right Thing, VCU

Despite knowing several of the people involved in the making for the documentary, Meet Me in the Bottom: The Struggle to Reclaim Richmond's African Burial Ground, I had not actually seen the film until today when the Library of Virgina showed it as part of their noontime lunch series.

And while I understand VCU's error in building a parking lot over a Negro burial ground, now that it's been established that that's what's under it, I have a difficult time comprehending how they can continue to allow the land to be used as a surface parking lot. In fact, I have to question whether or not the circumstances would be the same if, say my ancestors were buried there; of course, by that I mean white people. Wouldn't the outcry over ignoring an historic white burial ground almost certainly attract VCU's attention?

As filmmaker Shawn Utsey pointed out, after much back and forth, VCU has agreed to sell the property for $3 million, as if the community can collectively raise that kind of money. It would seem that doing the morally correct thing by ceasing to use the burial ground for parking and beginning an archaeological dig for the purpose of learning more about some of Richmond's earliest residents is insufficient motivation.

Given RVA' shameful history in the slave trade, it seems to me that it's the very least we could do to give peace to the departed who helped shape our city. A full excavation and eventual memorial to this essential part of our collective ancestry should be the only option on the table.

My friend Kenny, the chief organizer of the protests about the burial ground, is right. We all lose when we don't stand up and fight such injustice.