African American

White Committee Chairmen Hire Fewer Black Aides: Congressional Survey

Congressional Quarterly | Posted 07.09.2009 | Politics


Black aides are so scarce on some House committees that the Congressional Black Caucus surveyed the panels. Their conclusion: black staffers are most ...

Fourth of July "Truly" Patriotic and Politically Significant for African-Americans

Francesca Biller-Safran | Posted 07.04.2009 | Politics


Francesca Biller-Safran

Fireworks this Fourth of July will glow brighter for many African-Americans who may not have not truly felt the authentic, honest brand of patriotism ...

Fireworks Brighter for Blacks this Fourth of July

Francesca Biller-Safran | Posted 07.03.2009 | Living


Francesca Biller-Safran

As a person of mixed race, I have had many blacks since Obama's election confide in me with comments along these lines, "We finally have a brother in ...

The US Senate Apologized for Slavery. But We Ain't Gettin' 40 Acres and a Mule!

Yvonne R. Davis | Posted 06.19.2009 | Politics


Yvonne R. Davis

We can all feel relieved there is an official acknowledgment that something terrible was done to black people. Yet the reality is way too much time has passed for this apology to really mean anything.

Obama makes Multi-Racial Americans more Accepted

Francesca Biller-Safran | Posted 06.04.2009 | Politics


Francesca Biller-Safran

As a Japanese-Jew, I have historically used self deprecating humor at my own expense as a way to explain and defend to others who I was and to feel ac...

Repositioning America: Obama's Cairo Speech as the Ultimate in Event Marketing

William Bradley | Posted 06.04.2009 | World


William Bradley

Not only did no one throw shoes at Obama, the crowd of 3,000 in Cairo gave him a standing ovation. Watching the speech, I had the feeling that the world might be changing again.

It's OK to Say Black

Jennifer Trannon | Posted 05.15.2009 | Politics


Jennifer Trannon

Why are people so afraid to say "the Black guy?" It comes from the PC movement but go ahead, I'm giving you permission. It's OK to say Black.

The Movie They Didn't Want You to See

Stacy Peralta | Posted 04.07.2009 | Entertainment


Stacy Peralta

The more time I spent with gang members of Bloods and Crips, the more I began to see a far different America than the America I was raised in.

The Purple Leadership of Newark's Mayor Cory Booker

Lanny Davis | Posted 03.31.2009 | Politics


Lanny Davis

If Barack Obama is the most successful African American national political leader in our nation's history, then Cory Booker will be the most important African American Mayor in American history.

Black or Biracial? Who Gets to Decide?

Abby L. Ferber | Posted 03.04.2009 | Politics


Abby L. Ferber

Is Obama Black? Biracial? And why do we care so much? A new book by George Yancey and Richard Lewis, Jr., Interracial Families: Current Concepts and C...

We, Too, Are Abolitionists: Black History Month, Slavery and the Death Penalty

Diann Rust-Tierney | Posted 02.24.2009 | Politics


Diann Rust-Tierney

We Americans should honor abolitionists of the past and present not only by remembering them during Black History Month, but by working to repeal capital punishment throughout the USA.

10 African American Women Who Changed the World

divinecaroline.com | Vicki Santillano | Posted 02.15.2009 | Living


Black History Month dates back to 1976, when "Negro History Week" was extended to the month of February. That year doesn't seem so long ago, but when ...

Republicans' 4% Mortgage "Stimulus" Is Latest Ponzi Scheme

Ronald B. Robinson | Posted 02.05.2009 | Politics


Ronald B. Robinson

Does the Republican ploy to provide 4% home mortgages to boost the economy sound too good to be true? It is. Buyer Beware!

The Audacity of Whiteness: Framing Barack Obama

Jill Nelson | Posted 02.02.2009 | Media


Jill Nelson

In journalism, white people who are granted the role of analyzing everyone, including African Americans, who are likely overlooked or spoken for by white expert opinion.

Our Shared Inheritance

Robert D. Patterson | Posted 01.23.2009 | Politics


Robert D. Patterson

On this chilly January day I yearned for the warmth of July 4th, the warmth that comes from knowing you belong in the land your ancestors toiled upon as slaves, and died for in wars.

An Odd Perspective on Race

Jeff Schweitzer | Posted 01.22.2009 | Politics


Jeff Schweitzer

We would be much more accurate, and would distance ourselves from a troubling racism, if we rejoiced in electing Obama as the first American president of African descent.

Two Parades. Two Coasts. One Hope.

Karen Bass | Posted 01.20.2009 | Politics


Karen Bass

Just as Martin Luther King's dream could not have endured if it was his alone, President Obama's hope and promise can't endure if we don't help shoulder the burden.

Reading The Pictures: The View From The Obama Train -- And Its Reminders

Michael Shaw | Posted 01.19.2009 | Politics


Michael Shaw

2009-01-19-shawtrain.jpg If we've come so far, there still is so far to go.

Changing the Image of Religion: The New Faith Coalition

Jim Wallis | Posted 01.19.2009 | Living


Jim Wallis

The day after the inauguration, I will be joining religious leaders at the National Prayer Service for our new president. I will pray that this new era can change the image of religion in our country.

Guest Column: Why Obama's Election Should Be Considered Historic

Chris Weigant | Posted 01.19.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

[Note: This column is a repeat. I ran it last year, but unfortunately it was the day before Thanksgiving and I felt it didn't get the attention it de...

Burris, Race, Religion, And The Senate

Chris Weigant | Posted 01.05.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

"I am now the junior senator from the state of Illinois. . . . Friends, we're going to have to have some powerful prayer. . . . They can't deny what t...

Guest Column: Why Obama's Election Should Be Considered Historic

Chris Weigant | Posted 11.26.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

For only the third time in this column's two-and-a-half year history (see note below), I am turning over my soapbox to a guest columnist. As with bot...

Reading The Pictures: It's Nice To See A Brown Girl Get Some Attention

Michael Shaw | Posted 11.24.2008 | Media


Michael Shaw

2008-11-24-newsweek_mobama.jpgI thought it was quite contradictory -- and a lost opportunity -- that Newsweek's cover was black-and-white ... and Michelle is so (bathed in) light.

Pres-Elect Obama Names Eric Holder U.S. Attorney General

Erin Medlicott | Posted 11.18.2008 | Politics


Erin Medlicott

President-elect Barack Obama today named Eric Himpton Holder, Jr. as the next U.S. Attorney General. He has accepted the position, pending a Senate approval.

Lindsay Lohan Calls Obama "Colored" (Video)

Charlotte Hilton Andersen | Posted 11.11.2008 | Style


Charlotte Hilton Andersen

Even if it were a generational issue, Lindsay is definitely not in the same demographic as my grandmother. Though they do share a strange penchant for leggings and muumuus.