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Marion Jones' WNBA Comeback
Former track star Marion Jones – who, judging by news accounts, added “Disgraced” to her legal name – made a shocking return to public life recently, signing with the WNBA’s appropriately-named Tulsa Shock. The 34-year-old mother of three, whose youngest child is just eight months old, hasn’t played competitive basketball since 1997, when she was…
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Detroit School Leader Otis Mathis Can't Write
According to his memoir, The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read, John Corcoran graduated from college in 1961 and taught high school for 17 years, all without being able to read, write or spell. Finally, at age 48, he sought help and now serves as a public speaker and fierce advocate for literacy. The John Corcoran Foundation…
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Obama Shouldn’t Trumpet a Black Agenda
Let me see if I have this straight: talk show host Tavis Smiley blasted Rev. Al Sharpton and other black leaders because they’re not pressing President Obama to promote a black agenda? Yeah, that would be a brilliant move for Obama. It’s not enough that he’s under constant assault from birthers, Tea Partiers, neocons, Fox…
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No Question, Tiger Woods Said What Was Necessary
“I’m deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior … I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame. Any questions?” No, Tiger Woods didn’t utter that last line and hold a Q&A Friday morning after his 13-minute apology, which drew about…
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Tiger Said All He Needed To Say
“I’m deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior … I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame. “Any questions?” No, Tiger Woods didn’t utter that last line and hold a Q&A on the morning of February 19 after his 13-minute…
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Black National Anthem Disgraced At White House
The Black National Anthem, aka Lift Every Voice and Sing, should never suffer the indignity afflicted upon it Wednesday night at the White house. There was Smokey Robinson, one of America’s best singer-songwriters, smiling at the camera while drawing an absolute blank. There was Jennifer Hudson looking similarly perplexed, along with Morgan Freeman, Natalie Cole…
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Why the World’s Up In Arms Over Gilbert Arenas
An unloaded gun is about as dangerous as an unloaded washing machine, although using the former to bludgeon someone is a lot easier. In that sense, I don’t fully understand the outrage over Gilbert Arenas bringing empty firearms into the Washington Wizards locker room. He could’ve fired all the imaginary shots he wanted and not…
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Big-Time College Sports: A Waste for Many Athletes
Considering the sordid underbelly and gross hypocrisy of major college sports—namely big-time football and men’s basketball—enjoying the action is a guilty pleasure for fans with any conscience. So many (primarily black) young men … so many of them ignoring academic pursuit in favor of athletic exploits. All while administrators wink and nod, or simply look…
