Does Jazz Need to Be Renamed?

March 06, 2012

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall checks in on why a small group of multiracial, multigenerational artists want to deep-six jazz -- the name, not the art form -- and resurrect it as "Black American Music."

Black Actors Still Find themselves in Roles as Domestics

On the eve of possible Oscar wins for Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for The Help, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall praises their performances but criticizes Hollywood for being quick to reward "mammy" roles.

Can Video Games Reduce Youth Violence?

As Philadelphia grapples with a skyrocketing crime rate, residents are exploring various ways to help reduce violence, including the use of video games, Annette John-Hall writes at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Food Stamp Crackdown Is No Way to Celebrate MLK

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall says it's an affront to Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy that public workers in charge of food stamps took his birthday off as they are poised to cut subsidies.

The Epidemic of Black-on-Black Killings

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall says that it will take a multipronged approach to cure the epidemic of black-on-black killings among males in cities across the nation.

Lessons From the News of 2011

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall writes that a divine hand must have played a part in shaping the biggest stories of 2011, given their sheer magnitude.

Occupy Philadelphia Offers a Peace Sign

There have been lots of arrests during the protests, but no violent clashes with city police, Annette John-Hall writes in her Philadelphia Inquirer column.

Joyner's Call for Blacks to Re-Elect Obama Draws Heat

Tom Joyner's suggestion that black voters re-elect President Obama because of his race has raised the ire of the Tea Party, Annette John-Hall writes in her Philadelphia Inquirer column. 

King's Memorial Overcomes Its Critics

You would have been hard-pressed to find anybody on the National Mall on Sunday willing to criticize the memorial on such a glorious day, writes Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall. 

The Million Man March Pledge Broken and Kept

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Annette John-Hall provides anecdotes about how the pledge taken on Oct. 16, 1995, has been kept and violated.