Obama: 'No Excuses' for Black Kids in US

Obama has work to do to take that title: L. Douglas Wilder

(NEWSER) - When Bill Clinton got tagged as the nation's "first black president," L. Douglas Wilder—the first black governor of Virginia—never quite bought it. When Barack Obama got elected, Wilder figured the US finally had the real deal. Three years in, however, Wilder isn't so sure that Obama has been a better president for African-Americans. Writing for Politico , he points out that Clinton appointed more high-level black officials and was especially aggressive in picking black judges. More»

Thousands attend dedication of Martin Luther King Jr Monument

(NEWSER) - Forty-three years after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed by an assassin's bullets, the nation's first black president today led an all-star tribute to the civil rights activist who "stirred our conscience" and made our Union "more perfect." "I know we will overcome," proclaimed President Obama at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Monument. The giant granite statue stands just to the southeast of where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, notes the AP . More»

Norman Rockwell work includes racial epithet

(NEWSER) - The nation's first black president has hung a painting with the N-word outside the Oval Office, in a nod to the civil rights movement, reports Politico. President Obama last month had Norman Rockwell's "The Problem We All Live With" installed in the White House; the painting shows a black child, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, en route to her newly integrated New Orleans school as the wall behind her shows graffiti including the racial epithet and "KKK," as well as a splattered tomato. More»

That it's a big deal shows how much must be done

(NEWSER) - President Obama's decision to give gay partners visitation rights in hospitals and medical power of attorney is generally being hailed in a let's-not-get-carried-away way:

• David Dayen, Firedog Lake : "Hospital visitation is important, and this is a compassionate order. But it’s a small step in the grand scheme of things, one that the president has offered in the past in place of movement on marriage equality or repealing the Defense of Marriage Act."
• John Cole, Balloon Juice : "This puts the power with the patient—where it should be."

In response to question about race, president checks one box

(NEWSER) - When he filled out his census form yesterday, President Obama identified himself as African-American. The son of a black Kenyan and a white Kansan, Obama had the option to check more than one box. He didn't hesitate before choosing "Black, African Am., or Negro," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs tells USA Today . The first family's form also reflected the fact that Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, lives with the Obamas in the White House, notes the AP . More»