'IF HE DID DO IT, GOD WILL HAVE JUSTICE'

Annette Insdorf, 05/26/12

Director of undergraduate film studies, Columbia University, and author of PHILIP KAUFMAN

Audiences have been galvanized by The Central Park Five. "It would be foolish to say that the story is done, that we live in a post-racial society. That's what we struggle with ... to come to terms with America's original sin, which is race."

Rep. Charles Rangel, 05/25/12

Representative from the 15th Congressional District in New York

We should use this Memorial Day as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that American soldiers of all social and political stripes have made in defense of our country.

James Franco, 05/25/12

Actor and author

In Moonrise Kingdom, the characters own their world, not vice versa. The teenage actors bring life to their oddball characters -- which, in turn, give vitality to the fantastic display around them.

Terri Cole, 05/26/12

CEO, Live Fearless and Free; transformation coach and licensed therapist

This week, I want to explore how sleep and fear are related. Their connection is direct and undeniable, as lack of the prior leads to an increase in the latter.

Tess Ghilaga, 05/25/12

Freelance Writer, Yoga Teacher, Stylist

As interest in vintage fashion magazines continues to soar, New York's cool crowd has descended on VFILES, the SoSo-based store where famed fashion magazine archivist Mike Gallagher has placed his pop-up store overflowing with vintage publications.

Bobby Elliott, 05/25/12

Writer living in New York City

On the surface, "An Economy of Grace" is a well-timed game-changer for painter Kehinde Wiley. After making a name for himself by exclusively painting men, "An Economy of Grace" presents Wiley's first series of portraits featuring women.

Jim Downs, 05/25/12

Associate Professor of History and American Studies, Connecticut College

As America recognizes the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, we would do well to revisit the origins of Memorial Day among freedpeople in Charleston.

Anthony Papa, 05/25/12

Manager, Media Relations, Drug Policy Alliance

The installation was described as a huge wall of multi-color synthetic hair, which explores themes of vanity, self-image, beauty and beastly mythology, as well as notions of obsession and fetish.

James R. Knickman, 05/25/12

President & CEO, New York State Health Foundation

As we approach Memorial Day, we must also remember those who are returning from war, and the families who welcome them home. They deserve the support and resources needed to stay healthy and whole in their home communities.

Myra Chanin, 05/25/12

Author; aka Mother Wonderful Radio/TV Media Personality, Former Partner in Crime of Joey Reynolds Show'

Cary Hoffman, the forthright, funny and entertaining writer/performer of My Sinatra describes himself as a Medicare recipient who looks like a Rabbi.

Marian Wright Edelman, 05/25/12

President, Children's Defense Fund

The silent Father's Day March will be a chance for people of all backgrounds to walk silently down New York's Fifth Avenue together to convey to New York City leaders that it is time to stop treating hundreds of thousands of our young people of color like criminals when they have done nothing wrong.

Richard (RJ) Eskow, 05/25/12

Writer; host, 'The Breakdown'; Senior Fellow, Campaign for America's Future

The question isn't whether we need a central bank: We do. The question is, Why is it dominated by the people who have already ruined the economy once -- and who have a clear conflict of interest?

Joan Marans Dim, 05/25/12

New York City historian

In designing the George Washington Bridge, Othmar Ammann, in an historic decision, designed a solely vehicular span -- a decision that triggered a cascade of events that led to an automobile nation.

Peter Gardett, 05/25/12

Pride Committee Member, Out at AOL

This June marks 42 years of Pride Parades in New York City, and AOL's Out at AOL club is getting involved in the latest, greatest Pride as part of a strong and evolving tradition celebrating inclusivity and marking the incredible progress of a powerful movement.

Eric T. Schneiderman, 05/24/12

New York Attorney General

Nothing less than the integrity of our democracy is at stake. That's why New York is leading a bipartisan coalition of twenty-two states and the District of Columbia in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold state restrictions on corporate campaign spending in the wake of Citizens United.

Chris Krapek, 05/25/12

Film Blogger

Full frontal male nudity is the manifest destiny of dick jokes. It's all the hard -- and sometimes flaccid -- work of our forefathers of comedy finally paying off. Charlie Chaplin would be so proud.

Liz Wallace, 05/25/12

Writer and editor

I still don't want to get gay married. Not right now, anyway, and the reasons why are a complicated brew. But I do believe gay and lesbian Americans should have the legal right to marry in every state, and that those state rights should be recognized by our federal government.