Martin Luther King

Our Hope in Obama, Our Hearts to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jack Healey | Posted 02.15.2009 | Living


Jack Healey

We miss Dr Martin Luther King, Jr each day. His day, our day, asks each of us to stand up for decency and justice and non violence in our time, in our community, in our family, and in our world.

The Folly of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Eric Copage | Posted 02.15.2009 | Politics


Eric Copage

What if black Americans recognized Dr. King's birthday on the actual day of his birth, today, January 15th? We would make a collective decision, without asking anyone's permission, to exercise our freedom.

From Nightmares to Dreams Come True

Michael DeJong | Posted 02.13.2009 | Living


Michael DeJong

Long gone is the unique American social phenomenon that each new generation will "do better" than the last. Things are starting to feel more like "The Grapes of Wrath" than "The Great Gatsby."

The Fierce Urgency of Now: Why the Obama Administration Must Appoint an NIH Director Committed to Cures

Lou Weisbach | Posted 02.12.2009 | Politics


Lou Weisbach

There must be a place in the NIH where the discovery of knowledge is focused on preventing or curing the diseases of our loved ones.

The 80th Birthday of Dr. King and the Inauguration of Obama as President

Clarence B. Jones | Posted 02.12.2009 | Politics


Clarence B. Jones

I never thought as Martin Luther King Jr's former advisor and speechwriter that I would live long enough to ever publicly write or say these words.

Who Are These Invisibles? Living Up to the Truth of the War in Iraq

Paula B. Mays | Posted 02.12.2009 | Politics


Paula B. Mays

The suffering innocents in Iraq remain invisible. We barely know the names of the American soldiers who have died, but as to the innocent non-combatants in Iraq, we know even less.

Dr. King's Other Dream: Ending Poverty

Joel Berg | Posted 02.09.2009 | Politics


Joel Berg

Had America ever chosen to do so, it could have wiped out domestic poverty and hunger far more rapidly than it could have achieved King's goals of racial equality or world peace.

The New Power Girls: Women Who Ignore Gender in Business

Patricia Handschiegel | Posted 02.05.2009 | Business


Patricia Handschiegel

When I look at Rupert Murdoch or Barry Diller, I want to be like them -- just as I do when I see anybody else who owns a successful media company, male or female.

Who Carries the Burden of Peace?

Nathan Schneider | Posted 02.05.2009 | World


Nathan Schneider

Israel and its backers need to make the real sacrifices necessary to offer the Palestinian people a solution worthy of their dignity. It will not come cheap, but no cost is dearer than more war.

How Israel is Wrong and the Palestinians are Misguided

Cenk Uygur | Posted 01.31.2009 | World


Cenk Uygur

Israel is occupying the West Bank (and effectively Gaza because they control the borders, the airspace, etc.). What are they going to do with it -- hold on to it forever?

A Dream Obtained: The Future of Black Politics

Timothy Cooper | Posted 01.31.2009 | Politics


Timothy Cooper

With the election of 2008 demonstrating how far this country has progressed with issues such as sexism and racism, it should be interesting to see if America will respond any differently to a Commander-in-chief of color.

Barack Obama: Change

Don King | Posted 01.11.2009 | Politics


Don King

The world is watching American history in the making, live and in living color. We've taken an important step in the right direction by electing Barack Obama as President.

Moments with Odetta: Inspirational Singer, Beautiful Woman

Lea Lane | Posted 01.04.2009 | Entertainment


Lea Lane

Odetta Holmes sang at the 1963 March on Washington, and it was reported that she wanted to sing at Obama's inauguration. But she didn't quite make it; she died on Tuesday, at age 77.

Jim Brown on Barack Obama, Racism, Muhammad Ali, Hugh Hefner, Football, and Acting

Graham Bensinger | Posted 12.25.2008 | Politics


Graham Bensinger

The day after the presidential election, I sat down with Jim Brown. Brown discussed a wide range of topics, including what electing the first African American president means to him.

What Kind of Revolutionary Will You Be?

John W. Whitehead | Posted 12.22.2008 | Politics


John W. Whitehead

if there is to be any change, it is going to be brought about by us, "we the people," not the politicians. No president, no congressman and no judge can do what you can.

Obama and Malcolm X: Far From Opposites

Casey Gane-McCalla | Posted 12.21.2008 | Politics


Casey Gane-McCalla

Many people may see Malcolm X and Barack Obama as opposites of each other in the sphere of black political figure, but Malcolm's own family has come out publicly for Obama.

Obama Assassination Jitters

Earl Ofari Hutchinson | Posted 12.16.2008 | Politics


Earl Ofari Hutchinson

There is a very real danger of violence to Obama. That's the unfortunate price that elected officials, in this case a new president, who inspire hope must pay.

Notes from Election Day by a Gay White Liberal

Nathaniel Frank | Posted 12.11.2008 | Politics


Nathaniel Frank

What does a gay, white liberal feel upon the election of the world's first African-American president at the moment America's biggest, bluest state votes to rip away my right to marry?

(R)Evolution -- We All Want to Change Your Head

Suzette Standring | Posted 12.11.2008 | Politics


Suzette Standring

This new multi-cultural, interracial, eco-green, techno-savvy, globally-minded young generation has made history.

Obama's Forgotten Inspiration: Theodore Parker

Aaron Zelinsky | Posted 12.08.2008 | Politics


Aaron Zelinsky

Obama did a much better job of reaching out to young, white evangelicals than Kerry did. It's therefore unsurprising that Obama employs the rhetoric of an earlier evangelical in his speeches.

Praise God?

Paul Raushenbush | Posted 12.07.2008 | Living


Paul Raushenbush

Obama's election does not wipe out the vicious racism of centuries, and Prop 8 shows that there is still work to be done confronting the discrimination of Gay and Lesbian people.

Say it Loud, I'm Black (in spirit) and I'm Proud

Andy Ostroy | Posted 12.06.2008 | Politics


Andy Ostroy

Obama's job will not be easy, but he has indeed demonstrated the kind of curiosity, intelligence, judgment, resolve and presence of mind, and the ability to inspire, that great leaders are made of.

What We Will Remember: Obama's Victory Speech and McCain's Concession

Aaron Zelinsky | Posted 12.06.2008 | Politics


Aaron Zelinsky

Obama and McCain accomplished two very different objectives last night: Obama unified and inspired; McCain departed with grace. Here's what history will remember of the speeches of November 4, 2008.

Yes We Did!

Lincoln Mitchell | Posted 12.06.2008 | Politics


Lincoln Mitchell

Forget about the Bradley effect, Republican voter suppression tactics and October surprises. Obama won a clear and resounding victory last night.

Obama! By The Content of His Character

Miles Mogulescu | Posted 12.05.2008 | Politics


Miles Mogulescu

We must understand one more thing -- how successful President Obama will be in transforming America in a progressive direction will depend on us, as well as on him.