This blog post is the final installation of a three-part series “Who Counts in the 2020 Census?” where we interviewed local leaders spearheading the fight in their communities to obtain a fair and accurate count of everyone who lives in Virginia. The Census is a pretty big deal. The data collected from the Census is […]
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“Us” and the Marginalization of People of Color in Virginia
⚠️Caution⚠️ Several “Us” spoilers ahead! Seeing Us on opening weekend, I was surprised by the themes throughout the movie that relate directly to the socio-political climate in Virginia. Here’s a brief overview of Jordan Peele’s new box-office hit Us: a family goes on vacation, and during their stay the mother seems to be haunted by […]
Who Counts in the 2020 Census? | Many Barriers Could Undermine a Fair and Accurate Count in Virginia
This blog post is the second part of a three-part series “Who Counts in the 2020 Census?” where we interviewed local leaders spearheading the fight in their communities to obtain a fair and accurate count of everyone who lives in Virginia. There are many barriers that could undermine a fair and accurate Census count in […]
Who Counts in the 2020 Census? | Why is the Census such a Big Deal?
This blog post is the first installation of a three-part series “Who Counts in the 2020 Census?” where we interviewed local leaders spearheading the fight in their communities to obtain a fair and accurate count of everyone who lives in Virginia. We’ve been talking a lot about the census lately by pushing for more funding […]
April 15–Just Another Day where the Rich Pay Less Taxes and Keep Getting Richer
It’s Tax Day–grrrrrrr–and I’m grumpy about it. I mean, I don’t like paying taxes. But, I do like having roads to drive on, reliable mail delivery, a public school system, bridges, and let’s not forget about sewers, because where is all our ? gonna go? Even though I’m not happy about it, at least I […]
Why I Spoke Out for Abortion Access
When I was 20, I was in the middle of my junior year in college when I found out I was pregnant. At the time, I was in a long term relationship with a boyfriend that was coming to an end and I was nearing the finish line of completing my degree. I couldn’t imagine […]
Let’s Make Sure Everyone in Virginia is Counted in the Census
In the summer of 2010, I logged long and hot days working as a Census enumerator in Richmond. My job involved knocking on doors and tracking people down so they would be counted in the massive undertaking that impacts every household and every locality. As one of the few enumerators who spoke fluent Spanish, I […]
“It’s Like I’m in Quicksand.”
Alex’s student loan debt is crushing her. As a Newport News resident, who works two jobs and puts in over 60 hours a week in order to make her $1,300 monthly student loan payments, she is struggling to keep up with the payments. “It’s like I’m in quicksand,” she said. “I can’t take out any […]
An Insider’s Look on Eyes on Richmond
Sara Thornton walks the halls of the Pocahontas Building in Virginia’s State Capitol with the quiet enthusiasm of a young, but seasoned politico eager to take on each day as a new battle to be won. As manager of Progress Virginia’s Eyes on Richmond transparency project, Sara gets a front row seat to every bill […]
Virginia Progressive Community Reiterates Call For Northam To Immediately Resign
Richmond, VA–Virginia’s progressive community today reiterated our call for Governor Northam to resign his office immediately. The organizations listed below released the following joint statement: “We heard what the Governor said today and we are not only unmoved but even more disgusted in his actions and changing stories. We reaffirm our demand that he must […]