Politics

Charles Butler, a black, Chicago-based conservative talk show host, has been in shouting matches and called a traitor to his race because of his affiliation with the largely white Tea Party movement. Lloyd Marcus, a black, Orlando, Fla.-based, conservative folk singer who wears a black panama hat, leather vest, white shirt and black pants, has…

Mr. President, you have spent so much time courting—here at the street level we call it sucking up to—Republicans who will never come around to your side on major issues, including offshore drilling or a climate change initiative. As a candidate, you were the environmentalist superstar, opposed to offshore drilling, while Sarah Palin, your opponent’s…

is a former columnist for TIME magazine and a regular contributor to The Root.

President Obama to do everything `humanly possible’ on spillhttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hIfwUDeBxbANKX2GATS6YOiMTnJQD9FEVEB01 As if we needed to hear this. We think it’s interesting that folks are trying to lay this disaster at his feet.  The Obama administration should have responded more quickly to the spill? Which is it? More government or less government? Oversight on this but no…

As most should know, we recently lost Dorothy Height and Evelyn Cunningham. Both women were in their 90s, but neither would ever have accepted the idea that publicity equals the truth of importance or the truth of important effort. Since the world of public relations has become as influential as fact, people who read little do…

Thomas Hagan, the only man to ever admit his role in the assassination of Malcolm X, was freed on parole last week, providing an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of the slain civil rights hero. Reports on Hagan’s release have remained on the fringes of media attention, a sign of the complexity…

There once was a time when government in America generally erred on the side of caution. The unspoken rule mirrored the oath taken by physicians: “First, do no harm.” Echoing that sentiment, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama said in 2008 that sometimes it takes a scalpel to address a problem instead of using a hatchet. With…

Well, I hate to say I told you so. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s defection from the GOP yesterday was a long time coming, and he is one of the last of a dying breed of moderate Republican elected officials in the United States. My fear is that like former moderate Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa.,…

Dear Momma: Afeni Shakur Arrested on Drug Chargeshttp://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/04/27/tupacs-mom-afeni-shakur-arrested-on-drug-possession-charges/ Say it ain’t so. Afeni Shakur, mother of late rapper Tupac Shakur was arrested for drug possession in Lumberton, NC. Charges include felony possession of marijuana, simple possession of a controlled substance and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance. Translation: she’s back on…