Dr. Boyce Watkins, 2/1/12

Professor, Syracuse University

Like the rest of America, I was distraught over the death of the great Don Cornelius, creator of the legendary show, Soul Train. There will never be another one like him, for he truly changed the black entertainment landscape for all eternity.

Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D., 2/2/12

Associate Professor of Biblical Hebrew and Jewish and Christian Scripture

The elevation of Long lifted in the chair by four men seems to have been borrowed from Jewish wedding festivities and has noting to do with coronation; there is no evidence of this practice among Israelite or Judean monarchs.

Debbie Hines, 2/1/12

Lawyer, Political/Legal Commentator, www.Legalspeaks.com

Republican-led photo voter ID laws enacted in fourteen states now make it harder to vote than to get through security screening at airports.

Shane L. Windmeyer, 2/1/12

Nationally recognized LGBT leader in higher education; bestselling author; executive director, Campus Pride

Was Champion's death a hazing act that went wrong, or is there something more? What is not being readily discussed in this hazing death is why, in his case, the beating he received was severe enough to kill him.

Javon Johnson, 2/1/12

Author

I have no problem with folks asking me to support an all black film, especially given the politics behind this particular request. I do, however, take great issue with those who question my Blackness and my race loyalty when I tell them I refuse to see the movie just because I am Black.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 2/2/12

Author and political analyst

Paul didn't greenlight the racist stuff in the newsletters because he is a racist, or in the purity of literary license. He approved the digs because they were a quick and dirty way to make a fast buck.

Stacia L. Brown, 1/31/12

Writer, mother, adjunct professor, and contributor to PostBourgie.com.

Male soul, R&B, and hip-hop artists have long served as Cyranos for brothers who can't seem to express the right sentiments without digging a deeper hole.

Trey Ellis, 1/31/12

Novelist, Screenwriter, and Associate Professor at Columbia University

Rev. Jesse Jackson, 1/31/12

Civil rights activist

American presidents have always been fair game for public criticism. But isn't it past time that we challenge the campaign of insult, racial slur and utter disrespect that has been unleashed on Barack Obama?

Kirsten West Savali, 1/31/12

Cultural critic, screenwriter and Senior News Editor, YourBlackWorld.com

The reason that the G.O.P. refuses to address the concepts of fairness and the wealth gap is because they are painfully aware that the corporate elite in this country are, in fact, getting rich off of the suffering of the working class.

Denene Millner, 1/30/12

Founder, MyBrownBaby.com

There are a ton of things I'll never forget about the first time I gave birth. What I most remember? That the hospital and workers where I had my first daughter sullied what should have been one of the most amazing days of my life.

Te-Erika Patterson, 1/27/12

Publisher, My Savvy Sisters.Com

I am an advocate for people who are not afraid to fail and try again. I am an advocate for those who wish to contribute to our society. I am an advocate for those who believe they can and should attain their wildest dreams.

Sheila C. Johnson, 1/27/12

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Filmmaker

My most cherished takeaway from Sundance this year is something I hadn't anticipated. I was joined at the festival by my 22-year-old son Brett, a designer who works in New York. Seeing Sundance through his eyes gave new meaning to the experience for me.

Marian Wright Edelman, 1/27/12

President, Children's Defense Fund

For decades, the cornerstone of fulfilling the American dream has been getting a good education. But that cornerstone has crumbled for millions of America's children.

Tanya M. Washington, 1/27/12

Associate Professor, Georgia State University College of Law

Parents must become more engaged in influencing and monitoring the substance of their children's education. All of us should be aware that what teachers teach, and how they teach it, is informed by their own perspectives, even in a math problem.

Karl A. Pillemer, Ph.D., 1/26/12

Professor of Human Development, Cornell University; Author, "30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans"

Hiram Mann, 90, had to fight to find the work he loved, overcoming tremendous odds. The struggle and the rewards of his 90 years were encapsulated in his first words in our interview: "I was one of the original legendary Tuskegee Airmen."

Brandon Thomas, 1/25/12

Political science student, Middle Tennessee State University; co-founder, Sigma Phi Beta MTSU chapter

Many of you may know the Tumblr blog, "Yo, Is This Racist?" For those of you who aren't Tumblr-savvy, the creator of this blog fields questions from average people who ask if certain aspects of their lives are racist or not.