African American

Our Shared Inheritance

Robert D. Patterson | Posted 02.23.2009 | 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 02.22.2009 | 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 02.20.2009 | 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.

Changing the Image of Religion: The New Faith Coalition

Jim Wallis | Posted 02.19.2009 | 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.

Burris, Race, Religion, And The Senate

Chris Weigant | Posted 02.05.2009 | 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 12.27.2008 | 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 12.25.2008 | 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 12.19.2008 | 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 12.12.2008 | 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.

Expat No More? Proud to be an American Abroad

Vivian Norris de Montaigu | Posted 12.06.2008 | Politics


Vivian Norris de Montaigu

This election was an international one, and we Americans have sent a strong message to the entire planet that we not only want change, but that we can and have taken back our country.

OTB Writers Respond to Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab Slurs

Off The Bus | Posted 11.24.2008 | Home


Off The Bus

From smear email campaigns and hectoring rally audiences to hateful YouTubes and candidate equivocations, slurs against Muslims and Arabs have become ...

Conduct Unbecoming: John McCain's Dishonorable Endgame

Gary Cohan | Posted 11.12.2008 | Politics


Gary Cohan

He has now earned the ignominious fate of a public "court martial" in polling places all across America on November 4th.

McCain's Recent Statements About Obama Are Nothing But Racist

Earnest Harris | Posted 11.10.2008 | Home


Earnest Harris

It's always interesting to me how white guys can tell those of us who have to bear the brunt of racism when it is legitimate for us to call it out. Let's stop calling McCain a hero, what he was, and start calling him what he's become.

Race and the Race

Justin Frank | Posted 11.07.2008 | Politics


Justin Frank

I think voters also have inner fears that they might not even recognize until they find themselves inside the polling booth.

Picking Gwen Ifill: McCain's Latest Stunt?

Chris Goldberg | Posted 11.03.2008 | Politics


Chris Goldberg

Maybe John McCain is a lot savvier at picking a debate moderator than he is at picking a running mate.

Breaking News: Obama is Not African-American

Steven Waldman | Posted 10.24.2008 | Media


Steven Waldman

Apparently Obama has been lying when he claims to be an African American. Seriously. Apparently, he's actually an Arab. Subtle, no?

America: Yours, Mine, and Ours (Part 1)

Terrance Heath | Posted 10.09.2008 | Politics


Terrance Heath

Part One: Yours, Mine... One of the things I hoped for when Michelle Obama spoke at the Democratic convention, was that she would introduce people to ...

Let Me Downgrade Ya'

Zondra Hughes | Posted 09.22.2008 | Chicago


Zondra Hughes

An American sistah like me is a downgrade; strictly booty call material.

Gotta Be There At Invesco Field

Calvin Gipson | Posted 09.12.2008 | Home


Calvin Gipson

Yes, I admit I'm caught up in Obamamania. I have been one of the fans (as the McCain campaign likes to describe me) ever since I saw Obama speak in January at Denver University.

Sixty Years After Desegregation, Ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Chris Weigant | Posted 08.05.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Being gay should be no more of a barrier to serving the United States military than being black now is. My guess is that sixty years from now, people will wonder what took us so long.

Obama Should Stop Lecturing African Americans

Ben Cohen | Posted 07.26.2008 | Politics


Ben Cohen

Lecturing the black community is the perfect way to avoid alienating white voters. However, Obama does not share the same history as the African American community he is speaking to.

Don Imus Remix

Logan Nakyanzi Pollard | Posted 07.06.2008 | Media


Logan Nakyanzi Pollard

2008-06-28-loganvid.jpg

Barack Obama: "Black" Or "Biracial"?

BlackAndBrownNews | Posted 06.24.2008 | Home


BlackAndBrownNews

There is discussion now taking place between mostly white editors and producers in newsrooms on how to identify Senator Barack Obama now that he is the Democratic nominee.

What A Long, Strange Primary Trip It's Been

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.10.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Rather than a Vince Lombardi halftime pep talk about giving 110% in the second half, I'd like to review where we've been so far. This will be my final "picks" article for 2008.

Obama's Pastor Problem Moves Down South and Down Ballot

Daniel Nichanian | Posted 05.07.2008 | Home


Daniel Nichanian

First North Carolina, now Mississippi. Rev. Wright has become fair game for Republican campaigners. The GOP willingness to use Obama against down-ballot candidates does not bode well for Democrats.