Watch

Telling the Stories of Richmond, Virginia

Creator:
Published:
May 21, 2024
September 7, 2019
Richmond-Rides|Richmond-Rides-Square

Richmond, Virginia, has a long and complicated history. Catherine Illian is sharing the city's honest and sometimes difficult-to-tell stories in a way that invites a communal response.

"We're looking at the perspective of European Americans, African Americans, and the perspective of native peoples — because when we look at all of those perspectives, we're able to see the story of what Richmond is."

Video Transcript

Richmond, Virginia — building community through biking.

Catherine Illian: The reason I started the bicycle sightseeing tour is because when you're on a bike, you're fully immersed in your surroundings. This is a beautiful day, it's a beautiful city, there's beautiful architecture, and you can really enjoy it when you're on a bike.

We're not just on a bike — we're also telling Richmond's story. And we're not just telling it from one perspective, we're looking at multiple perspectives. So we're looking at the perspective of European Americans, African Americans, and the perspective of native peoples. Because when we look at all of those perspectives, we're able to fully see the story of what Richmond is.

Richmond has a long and complicated history, and there are a lot of stories that it's hard to tell — that are uncomfortable to tell. And as the descendant of Confederate veterans, there are stories that it has been hard for me to tell. And so part of what I'm trying to do is look at those stories and tell them in a way that acknowledges the parts that are good and the parts that have been really — wrong things have been done. At times, it has been hard for people to tell those stories in a way that invited communal response and invited communal contemplation. And so part of what I'm wanting to do is invite the community in a way that is positive, but also not running away from stories that are hard and stories that are hard to acknowledge.

I love hosting groups because I'm helping to build a communal identity with that group. And so we're experiencing history, and then we're talking about stories, and we're creating a dialogue — a dialogue with the people within the group, and also a dialogue with the street itself. I am hoping that individuals can think about ways that they can contribute to the telling of Richmond's story.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
May 21, 2024
September 7, 2019
On a related note...
The Surprising Way Self-Care and Service are Linked

The Surprising Way Self-Care and Service are Linked

Jessica Mannen Kimmet

Make Community Mean Something in this Pandemic

Make Community Mean Something in this Pandemic

Ben Wilson

Teaching Strangers Double Dutch on Brooklyn Streets

Teaching Strangers Double Dutch on Brooklyn Streets

Grotto

What Backpacking Ministry Taught Me About Hospitality

What Backpacking Ministry Taught Me About Hospitality

Claire Krakowiak

The Real Difference You Make By Shopping Small

The Real Difference You Make By Shopping Small

Isaac Huss

How I'm Holding on to Faith During the Sex Abuse Crisis

How I'm Holding on to Faith During the Sex Abuse Crisis

Megan Brown Czerwinski

Caring for the Elderly in Kenya

Caring for the Elderly in Kenya

Grotto

Our Tips for Making the Most of Thanksgiving

Our Tips for Making the Most of Thanksgiving

Grotto

Music Programs for Kids with Special Needs

Music Programs for Kids with Special Needs

Grotto

What to Know Before Planning a Volunteer Vacation

What to Know Before Planning a Volunteer Vacation

Julie Benedetto

Runway 4 Peace Honors Victims of Gun Violence

Runway 4 Peace Honors Victims of Gun Violence

Grotto

These Sources will Help You Prepare for the Polls

These Sources will Help You Prepare for the Polls

Marye Colleen Larme

The Benefits of Raising Children with a Digital Village

The Benefits of Raising Children with a Digital Village

Laura MacLean Reynolds

Remembering Fr. Capodanno and All Fallen Heroes

Remembering Fr. Capodanno and All Fallen Heroes

Grotto Shares

“A Space Where Strangers Become Friends”

“A Space Where Strangers Become Friends”

Shemaiah Gonzalez

Making All-Natural Soap with Goat Milk

Making All-Natural Soap with Goat Milk

Grotto

How Pickup Basketball Opens the Door for Community

How Pickup Basketball Opens the Door for Community

Mike Jordan Laskey

Meeting People Who Don’t Have the Luxury of Choice

Meeting People Who Don’t Have the Luxury of Choice

Eric Clayton

"Bike Man" Has Kept His Community Moving for Decades

"Bike Man" Has Kept His Community Moving for Decades

Grotto

From Abuse to Mentorship: A Story of Healing

From Abuse to Mentorship: A Story of Healing

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.