The Invisible City: Entering Oakland

James Harris / Truthdig Mar 11, 2007 In 2006 alone, 148 people were murdered in the streets of Oakland, most of them African-American. Today the epidemic of violence continues unabated and largely ignored. Truthdig contributor James Harris reports on the forgotten crisis that threatens to tear his city apart. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

China to U.S.: You Should Talk

Staff / Truthdig Mar 8, 2007 The State Department recently released its regular report of human rights abuses around the world and, as expected, listed China as one of the worst offenders. But Beijing fired back with its own report and a long list U.S. violations, including everything from disregard for civilian casualties to treating racial minorities as an underclass. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

New York Bans ‘N-Word’

Staff / Truthdig Mar 1, 2007 The New York City Council has symbolically banned the use of the word nigger. The resolution, though unenforceable, is meant to defy the word's popularity among young people, though, as the BBC points out, an "edict from elected officials" is unlikely to have much of an impact. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Ghost of Giuliani’s Political Past

Theodore Hamm / Truthdig Feb 27, 2007 Rudy Giuliani is often presented as a political moderate whose thriving presidential campaign need only negotiate the hurdle of a conservative primary, but his pre-9/11 record as New York's mayor -- particularly his policies toward working-class and minority residents -- should greatly alarm progressives. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Virginia House Finally Regrets Slavery

Staff / Truthdig Feb 4, 2007 Stopping short of a full-blown apology, Virginia's House of Delegates voted unanimously on Friday to issue a statement of "profound regret" over the state's role in the slave trade, "the historic wrongs visited upon native peoples" and "all other forms of discrimination and injustice". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Podcast: Super Bowl Edition

Staff / Truthdig Feb 3, 2007 Former All-America linebacker and author Dave Meggysey joins James Harris, Robert Scheer and Joshua Scheer for a discussion on the NFL's racist history, the black coach milestone and more in this special Super Bowl edition of the Truthdig podcast. Above, Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith (at left) and Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sports Stars Try to Level the Academic Playing Field

Staff / Truthdig Feb 2, 2007 Basketball superstar Baron Davis and the Chicago Bears' Brendon Ayanbadejo have started an organization to raise awareness of the dwindling enrollment of minority students at their alma mater, UCLA. California's anti-affirmative action Prop. 209 has had a devastating effect: This year's freshman class of 5,000 contains fewer than 100 African American students, 20 of them on athletic scholarship. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Biden Enters the Race with a Gaffe

Staff / Truthdig Feb 1, 2007 Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., announced his presidential candidacy Wednesday, but he got more attention for a racially charged comment about competitor Barack Obama, calling him "the first mainstream African American [presidential candidate] who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lighter Skin Pays Off for Immigrants in U.S.

Staff / Truthdig Jan 27, 2007 A new study of thousands of immigrants found that those with lighter skin earned more money than immigrants of similar background whose skin was darker. "On average, being one shade lighter has about the same effect as having an additional year of education," the study's author said. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘A Society Gone Mad on War’

Staff / Truthdig Jan 15, 2007 During the Vietnam War, Dr. King referred to our nation's government as "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today." Now that we find ourselves mired in another senseless conflict, our soldiers in harm's way and more and more among us suffering from the tyranny of poverty, we turn once again to the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Holiday Podcast: Scheer on Gates, Iraq, and More

Staff / Truthdig Dec 23, 2006 Robert Scheer joins Truthdig contributor James Harris for a lively discussion on the devolution of Robert Gates, exiting Iraq, the politics of race and more in this special audio edition of the Truthdig podcast. (Now includes transcript) Dig deeper ( 20 Min. Read )

Dick Morris: ‘First Black Is Better Than First Woman’

Staff / Truthdig Dec 19, 2006 Clinton strategist turned Fox News provocateur Dick Morris brought his peculiar insight to bear on the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama showdown, claiming: "Obama is in fact a better first than she is. First black is better than first woman in our politics in terms of valuing it." What reasoning Morris used to make that determination remains a mystery, as he quickly moved on to the multitude of reasons why he feels Obama can't win, and how he'll leave the country if either one does. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )