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Motown Turns 50
In January 1959, at the age of 29, Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records with an $800 loan from his family. Later that year, on Dec. 14, Tamla became Motown Records. Motown Records was first housed at 2468 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan. Since its beginning in Detroit, Motown has always kept in touch with…
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Bailout for The Common Man
Every year, millions of Americans make well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions to get their money straight. “I’m going to get out of debt.” “I’m going to stick to a budget.” “I’m going to save more. Too bad many of those declarations are broken before the end of January. We have trouble keeping these promises because we…
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One Step Forward…
In the end, Roland Burris will likely be the next senator from Illinois. The law and cynical race politics are on his side. That simple fact was largely obscured in yesterday’s political theatrics. In a damp, cold rain, Burris showed up on Capitol Hill and was met at the perimeter by the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, Terry…
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The Gifted Ones
In November 1969, the great Nina Simone released what would be her entrée to mainstream popular culture, one of her biggest selling records ever, and an anthem of a movement that, robbed of its messenger 19 months earlier in Memphis, still carried forth his message: To be young, gifted and blackIs where it’s at. The…
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No Room at The Inn
The calls started coming in as soon at the election results did. “So, Veronica,” the caller would begin, “what’s up for inauguration?” The query seems innocent enough—if you don’t live in Washington, D.C. But if you do live in the District—as I do—you soon realize that people don’t really care about your plans for inauguration.…
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The GOP's Silver Lining
Being a Republican on Capitol Hill may be a little lonelier over the next two years than it has been over the past two. In the U.S. Senate, Republicans can look back just two short election cycles and be wistful about what they’ve lost: a Republican president, a GOP-controlled Congress and, more broadly, the country’s…
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Blago’s Blues
A few weeks ago I received a phone call from two semi-drunken friends who were at a bar on the East Coast. They demanded I write about the idiot formerly known as Gov. Rod Blagojevich. I promised to do so, but deep down I probably wanted the whole shameful situation to go away. As an…
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The Inauguration Can Wait
The inauguration of Barack Obama is 15 days away, and here in a cold capital, the anticipation is palpable. People are shelling out recession cash for ball dresses and tuxedos; others are leaving town in advance of the hordes. Pennsylvania Avenue is slowly being turned into a great stage for the grand human drama that…
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Letters to the Obama Girls
My name is Maya Cobb and I am six years old and I am so happy for you and your family. I think it will be so fun to live in the White house. I went before with my parents. Do you like American Girl Dolls? I Do. I have 3. I have Josephina, Julia…
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You Lose Some, You Win None
Jan. 9, 2009—Eight of the 12 playoff teams start their sprint for the Super Bowl this weekend, but for me the real action is with the 20 teams licking their wounds as their players clear out their lockers, and say goodbye until spring mini-camp or preseason in July or, in some cases, forever. It’s neither…