Obama May Signal The End of Black Politics

Invitation recognizes their contribution to historic event

(NEWSER) - The Tuskegee Airmen of WWII have been invited to the inauguration of the nation's first black president, the New York Times reports. Barack Obama has acknowledged his debt to the elite all-black force, whose heroes fought for a country that discriminated against them. Now in their 80s and 90s, it's unclear how many of the roughly 330 surviving members can make the trek to Washington. More»

Jesse Jackson's tears expressed so many possible thoughts

(NEWSER) - Not long after the networks declared Barack Obama the next American president, writes Rebecca Traister in Salon, the years worth of emotions that led up to that moment flashed across the face of Jesse Jackson. In minutes, the civil rights leader's expression transformed from a still one of disbelief, (or perhaps resentment, or shock) to unabashed, weeping joy. More»

'Even his wife is suntanned,' Italian leader chuckles

(NEWSER) - Daffy Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi thought his first joke about President Obama being "tan" was so funny he repeated it —and this time included Michelle in the fun. "I bring greetings from a man, what's his name? Some tanned guy—Barack Obama," Berlusconi said at a rally after returning from the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh. "You won't believe it, but the two of them sunbathe together because even his wife is tanned." More»

Anti-Obama anger troubles CBC ahead of triumphant annual conferences

(NEWSER) - The Congressional Black Caucus is enjoying unprecedented power, with more of their members in leadership roles than ever before, not to speak of one of their number in the White House, but many are disturbed by changes in the political atmosphere, Politico reports. As the 42-member group holds its annual legislative conference this week, they say the increasingly hostile tone of President Obama's critics smacks of racism. Others are angered by the GOP's attacks on ACORN. More»

(NEWSER) - More Americans say race relations are looking good since the election of Barack Obama, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll. Among 973 adults surveyed last week, two-thirds said race relations were good and the number of blacks in agreement doubled since last summer. Despite resignation over the economy and the Iraq war—fronts most Americans say are slow-moving—72% expressed optimism about the next 4 years. More»