By Lee A. Daniels
Fourteen months into the Obama Presidency, it’s become more and more obvious that the spectacular example of the First Family sketches only a partial portrait of the present and possible future of Black America. The rest of the portrait—better to call it a mosaic—is far more complex and, in some areas, far less sunny.

By Jill Nelson
One could ask that question of Michelle Obama, but without expectation of the satisfying “reveal” provided by the game show. Not only are the stakes way too high, but the object of our attention and affection is too smart, pragmatic, in control, and cognizant of history and her own recent experience to fall for the fleeting drama of full disclosure.

By Mark Lassiter
If Scott “Downtown” Brown and “The Big O” (with a sincere apology to Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson) consider practicing for their charity game together, they cannot violate party boundaries or be seen in public. Their clandestine practice session would sound something like this.

By Janet Singleton
For me to have the opportunity to vote for the sort of person, as president of my nation, that I would aspire to be is even more miraculous than the racial breakthrough it represented. No Irshad, I voted for the President not because he is my color but because he is my kind, if only in my aspirations.

By Lee A. Daniels
As it happened, the Tea Party Convention, which began last Thursday and ended Sunday, was bracketed by two documents which cast in sharp relief the true nature of the political struggle that burst into the open when Barack Obama won the Democratic Party nomination for President and then captured the White House.

By Mark Lassiter
The President’s luncheon meeting with the House Republican Conference in Baltimore last Friday offered proof that the art Ali demonstrated in the boxing ring at the pinnacle of his career can also shine brightly in a different kind of arena.

By Doug Miller
Legislation in Congress that would make it easier for workers to form unions is doomed because the Obama administration , with so many other hard contentious issues on its agenda, won’t risk political capital in its defense, according to some experts on trade unionism.

By C. Nicole Mason
Public confidence in Obama is wavering. The honeymoon is definitely over. Even progressives are starting to look at him a little sideways. In order to recapture support and the spirit of the campaign, Obama will have to do less politicking and more change-making. He needs less charisma and more grit.

By Lee A. Daniels
There can be no denying that cable TV talk-show host Chris Matthews’ intent Wednesday night was to compliment President Obama on the forcefulness of his demeanor and the effectiveness of his speech during The State of the Union address.

But neither can one deny that Matthews’ choice of words not only undermined his intent, they underscored just how wrong is the notion that America has reached—or is anywhere near—a “post-racial” status.

By Mark Lassiter
In the first year of the Obama Presidency, every commentator, contributors and blogger has an opinion on the very marketable leader since he gave his historic acceptance speech. This furious, non-stop output continues to shape the public dialogue in ways that will require years to understand.