Politics

Last week the U.S Department of Agriculture announced groundbreaking nutritional requirements for the food served in school, The Week reports. The “Smart Snacks in School” standards are the latest addition to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which mandates specific standards for all foods sold in schools. The standards also target snack-vending machines in…

As President Obama tours South Africa while Nelson Mandela’s health is failing, Bill Keller at the New York Times compares the leadership styles of the two icons. Mandela, in his time on the political stage, was a man of almost ascetic self-discipline. But he also understood how to deploy his moral authority in grand theatrical…

During a speech at the University of Cape Town on Sunday, President Obama spoke about his personal introduction to politics, working against apartheid in college. He challenged students in the audience to fight for what they believe, reports CNN. Speaking at the University of Cape Town, Obama recounted how American college campaigns against investment in…

In Johannesburg, anti-Obama protesters who had gathered in front of the University of Johannesburg, where the U.S. president is slated to receive an honorary degree today, were greeted with rubber bullets, reports USA Today.  Protests have been planned at the university over Obama’s visit and the news that he is expected to receive an honorary doctorate…

President Obama was expected to visit the ailing Nelson Mandela during his trip to South Africa, but instead will meet with Madiba’s family, according to the New York Times. The presidential limousine slipped past a gate at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory Saturday afternoon, leaving the media behind as Mr. Obama met for about…

(The Root) — In the annals of American political history, President Barack Obama’s droll remark that “I’m not going to be scrambling jets to get a 29-year-old hacker” isn’t going to rank with “Ask not what your country can do for you” or “Nothing to fear but fear itself,” but for a president looking to…

(The Root) — Something occult was taking place at the Home for Retired Racial Stereotypes. Smoky incense filled the air of a darkened room where Kingfish, the Frito Bandito, Charlie Chan, Tonto and the rest of the crew were gathered in a circle, chanting to the sound of exotic music. In the middle of the circle stood…

(Special to The Root) — Three years ago I wrote a piece for The Root entitled, “Supreme Court Saves Voting Rights Act and Itself.” The occasion was the court’s recent consideration of the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which Congress had reauthorized by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in 2006. In that…

(Special to The Root) — The U.S. Supreme Court has finally issued its long-awaited ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, the latest case challenging affirmative action in higher education. Although many pundits expected a resounding defeat for defenders of diversity, their predictions proved to be wrong. The court sent the case back…