Growing up, I never understood why my parents talked about the JFK assassination the way they did. The slightest reference to it and suddenly they were both recounting every detail of their lives on the day it happened. Something happened to them when they reminisced about where they were when they heard the president had been shot, a physical change: a faraway look in the eye, an expression of bewilderment tinged with sorrow. It was as if they'd momentarily traveled back in time to November 22, 1963. They were little kids again, 8 and 9 years old, and the ground had shifted under their feet. It could never be put back to where it was before. [more]

My phone vibrated while I listened to a panelist talk about youth violence and policy with a group of political progressives.

I looked at the phone. It was one of the boys.

I texted. “In meeting. Can’t answer. If you want community service hours go to church at 8-9 pm and sit in youth group meeting. I will not be there. I will be late. But my husband is expecting you all.”

He wrote, “Wat happen.”

“Do you want to do some community service,” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said.

“Alright, go to the church at 8. I will be late. But my husband--” [more]

Were you one of the 60% of Americans who watched Barack Obama's inauguration live? Maybe you watched it on TV, or streamed it over the Internet. Maybe you were one of the millions who traveled to Washington, DC to witness history in person. No matter where you were, it was a day none of us will soon forget. But now that the pageantry is behind us, what happens next? [more]

Obama’s speech energized me. I felt a physical rush travel through my body. In awe, I watched as he embraced his wife and daughters. In wonder, I kept telling myself, “He won, he won!” Yes we can, yes we can, yes we can! As the camera slowly swept over the crowd in Grant Park, I saw hope and possibility in the eyes of the people. With excitement, I fell to sleep. [more]