Fifteen years after her Nobel, Toni Morrison continues to inspire

Fifteen years ago this month, the novelist Toni Morrison won the Nobel Prize for literature, the second American woman and the first black American to do so. On this anniversary, we should once again celebrate her accomplishments.

Ten years after Matthew Shepard’s murder, we need to act

It has been 10 years since openly gay college student Matthew Shepard was brutally killed in Wyoming. On Oct. 6, 1998, he was beaten and strung up on a fence. He died six days later.

Now even Olmert says Israel should withdraw from Occupied Territories

Now that Olmert has recognized the futility of the settlement policy, now that he has followed in the footsteps of other Israeli leaders before him like Abba Eban, Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin, it’s time for the rest of us to recognize it, too.

The United States should insist that Israel dismantle its settlements and withdraw from the Occupied Territories.

The Obamas’ marriage is a model

As a newlywed, I have spent a lot of time during the presidential campaign observing the Obamas' marriage. And I have come to the conclusion it is the embodiment of a model, modern marriage.

Churches need to keep out of politics

Pulpit Freedom Sunday was a big mistake.

Last Sunday, Sept. 28, dozens of conservative Christian churches challenged tax rules that prohibit places of worship from endorsing candidates or engaging in activity that is biased for or against candidates. The ministers involved even told the Internal Revenue Service in advance that they planned to break the rule.

On International Day of Nonviolence, a lot to learn from Gandhi

Oct. 2 marks the second International Day of Nonviolence, commemorating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.

We have a lot to learn from Gandhi on this day.

Campaigns need to address disability issues

There are 51 million Americans with disabilities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In this presidential campaign, the candidates have an opportunity to pay more than lip service to our issues. I hope they will seize it.

Obama Can't Dodge Race Issue

When one of the biggest issues in the race is race itself, it is unclear that Obama can win. And it’s also unclear how low he will go to try, haplessly, to nullify that issue.

Palin presents false choice

As a black woman, I refuse to accept the false choice the McCain campaign has presented me with its vice presidential candidate: Vote gender or vote the issues.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Is the glass half empty or half full?

Hopefully, this month our fellow Americans will learn that Hispanics have been part of the history of this country for almost 100 years before the founding of the first English colony in America, and not just newcomers crossing the border.

Reviving the American Dream

It’s a day of joy for immigrants who have waited many years to participate fully in the American Dream.

But it’s a day many law-abiding immigrants may never get to celebrate.

On Constitution Day this year, we should worry about our civil liberties

Sept. 17 is Constitution Day, marking the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. But we have less to celebrate today because the Bush administration has so tarnished our constitutional rights.

Haiti needs your help

While most Americans have understandably been concerned about Ike’s assault on Texas, people in Haiti just a few hundred miles away are suffering an even worse fate.

Birmingham, 45 years later

Forty-five years ago, one of the most pivotal racist attacks of the civil rights era occurred. Local members of the Ku Klux Klan planted a bomb under the steps of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., on a Sunday morning, Sept. 15, 1963. The explosion killed four young girls, three of them age 14 and one of them only 11 years old.

35 years ago, Latin America experienced its own Sept. 11

On Sept. 11, 1973, the Chilean military, supported by Washington, overthrew the democratically elected president of Chile, Salvador Allende. It was a day that was burned in the memories of millions of people across the continent.