Topic: Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Amid Trayvon Martin case, Obama hosts screening of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

On Thursday night, President Obama introduces a screening of 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' released 50 years ago. With emotions high over the Trayvon Martin killing, is this a teachable moment on race?

7 gifts for history and geography fans

From a massive atlas to a comprehensive history of the White House, here are 7 of the best history and geography gift books of the season.

What we see when we see race

Even in the era of a black president, Americans are never far from conversation, argument, or conflict over race. But while racism is real, race itself is a mirage.

Race relations: Blacks, Republicans see problems since '08, poll says

But a majority of Americans don't believe Obama has affected race relations in the US one way or the other, according to a new Monitor/TIPP poll.

Beyond racism: lessons from the South on racial discrimination and prejudice

Seven lessons from the deep South on racism, racial discrimination, and prejudice.

Ground Zero mosque comments: Did Obama have to say anything?

Ground Zero mosque comments show that Barack Obama the president has proven less disciplined and on message than Obama the candidate.

Where is Obama's 'teachable moment' on race?

President Obama has not dwelt on race – his own or the history of racism in America. And for all the talk about 'teachable moments,' he has not encouraged a deep national discussion of the issue.

Henry Louis Gates arrest was avoidable says new report

Henry Louis Gates, the Harvard professor arrested last year by Sgt. James Crowley, could have been avoided, according to a review of the case.

Top Picks: Mose Allison, Saturday Night Live, inaugural celebrations, and other recommendations

Mose Allison's latest CD 'The Way of the World,' 10 years of 'SNL' on NBC in 'Saturday Night Live in the 2000s,' 'The Official Inaugural Celebration' on DVD, and more top picks.

Confederate History Month fight: Obama rebukes Virginia governor

President Obama said it was 'unacceptable' for the Virginia governor, Bob McDonnell, not to mention slavery when reinstating Confederate History Month.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Obama's impact on race in America

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day a year after the first African-American president took office, Americans appear to have mixed views about the impact of President Obama's election on race relations.

One president to bind them all

A year into his term as the first nonwhite US president, Obama has played down the issue of race relations. Jump-starting the economy is what will best serve Americans of all backgrounds.

A year into Obama’s presidency, is America postracial?

Whites like to think so, but black Americans know better. Still, give Obama credit for making progress.

Racist undertones of the 'socialist' epithet

With the Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama joins the company of fellow laureates Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. But he already shares with them the more dubious distinction of being assailed as a socialist.

Does Obama have time to lobby for Chicago's Olympic bid?

Chicago is delighted that Obama will go to the 2016 Summer Olympics host-city selection vote in Copenhagen Oct. 2. But can healthcare reform manage without him – even for a day?

Wilson won't apologize to Congress. Why should he?

Gentlemen: their uses and abuses

The arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. provides an occasion for our columnist to check in on how an upmarket term for 'man' is faring in the language.

Obama's vacation spot has strong links to black history

By the 1800s, the servants of white summer residents of Martha's Vineyard were buying up land. In the 1950s, the island was popular with civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.

History's shadow over Obama's Vineyard vacation

Despite its tiny size, Martha's Vineyard is a microcosm of the race problem that burdens America.

Democrats on healthcare: going it alone or not?

The White House appears to be sending out conflicting messages, but that could be intentional ambiguity designed to keep several options on the table.

Who learned what in Gates race debate

The flap over the arrest of the black Harvard scholar sparked a spirited national discussion, but did it turn out to be a ‘teachable moment’?

Since beer summit, America has seen 'two good people'

Gates can joke about the incident now, he said Sunday. Crowley has shown respect toward the man he once arrested.

Obama beer summit provides gold mine for comedians

Was there a better way to conduct Gates-Crowley debate?

The national discourse over the Harvard professor's arrest, fueled by bloggers and media, was torrid. Some who leaped into the fray got burned.

Obama's 'teachable moment' on race

Whether the nation has learned from the Gates-Crowely confrontation is hard to judge, but the president was also a pupil in this case.