Black community

Re “Community college system not meeting Virginia’s needs” (Other Views, March 26): Community colleges across the nation, not just in Virginia, are experiencing a decline in enrollment. For many reasons, it is not an accurate assessment to compare community colleges to four-year institutions.

I am appalled that the Hampton Roads Black Caucus has such strong opinions about the community colleges, the chancellor hiring process and the selected candidate. As an alumna, I can attest to the many positive experiences I’ve had attending a community college.

Ron Taylor states, the board “for some reason chose Russell Kavalhuna” and suggests he does not have enough experience. Without knowing the details or being directly involved in the hiring process, how can Taylor comment on Kavalhuna’s qualifications as a leader? Without interviewing Kavalhuna, how can Taylor state he is “woefully unqualified”?

Is he suggesting that experience is all it takes? It wasn’t too long ago, during the governor’s race, that then-gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin was referred to as “inexperienced,” yet the Hampton Roads Black Caucus endorsed him?

Taylor’s comments are irresponsible, missing context and speculative. It is clear the Hampton Roads Black Caucus has been incompetent and neglectful with its views and comments. This organization should be more responsible when publicly making such negative and divisive statements.

The Hampton Roads Black Caucus does not represent the Black community at-large. The motives of this group are questionable, and this group has never looked out for the best interests of the Black community.

Audrey Davis, Norfolk