ROBERT T. STARKS, columnist and political editor of N’DIGO is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the HAROLD WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND POLICY STUDIES at Northeastern Illinois University’s Jacob Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies in Chicago.

Professor Starks teaches several courses in Inner City Studies, politics, and economic development. He is nationally regarded as an expert in analyzing African-American and African politics and has appeared on several local and national radio and television programs, including THE TODAY SHOW, NIGHTLINE, C-SPAN, CNN, CROSSFIRE, AND CHICAGO TONIGHT (WTTW TV Chicago). He is often quoted in national and local newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.

Professor Starks has also authored several articles which have been published in professional books, journals, and newspapers, including the article entitled “Harold Washington and the Politics of Reform in Chicago: 1983-87” that appeared in RACIAL POLITICS IN AMERICAN CITIES, edited by Rufus Browning, et al.

Mr. Starks, a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow (1986-87), is in the process of completing the first draft of a manuscript for a forthcoming book on the political life
of Harold Washington. He lives in the South Shore community of Chicago with his wife Judith. They have two adult children and one grandson.

Blog Entries by Bob Starks

Dear Mr. Almost President

48 Comments | Posted October 22, 2008 | 12:55 PM (EST)


While most of the polls and pundits have all but declared you, Sen. Obama, the winner of the November 4th election, you have wisely cautioned your workers and supporters to refrain from celebrating and assuming that the election is in the bag. You are correct to keep all of them...

Read Post

Barack: Beware of Rove's Trickery

6 Comments | Posted October 16, 2008 | 11:17 AM (EST)


Reports of intrigue on the part of Republican political strategists and tricksters have already surfaced.

Given the seriousness of this election and the crucial nature of the choices, we must pause to remind ourselves that we must double our efforts to increase voter turnout, double our efforts to protect...

Read Post

Who Would Want To Be President in These Times?

Posted October 7, 2008 | 03:53 PM (EST)


On Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009, after the swearing in ceremonies, the newly elected American president will be struck with the burdens of a world turned upside down! After all of the cheering and congratulations, the president will have to face the reality of the end of an era of...

Read Post

Civil Rights and American Politics

Posted August 29, 2008 | 08:14 AM (EST)


The year was 1968, and I was there.

It was the year of worldwide declarations, rebellion, revolution, and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy. It was the year that spun workers' protests and rebellion throughout Europe, Mexico and the rest of the world....

Read Post

Is Jesse Too Messy for the Convention?

Posted August 25, 2008 | 07:34 AM (EST)


The Chicago delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver will be the proudest and most eager group there. Start the monumental proceedings! These Democrats will travel to the Mile High City with anticipation and certainty that they will leave Denver with fellow Chicagoan, Barack Obama, nominated and ready to...

Read Post