News and feature reporting / analysis since 2004. My favorites in blue.
“Eric Holder’s War,” The American Prospect, March 2010.
For the attorney general, remaking the rule of law in a new century is as personal as it is professional.
“Bob Dylan’s Black History,” The Root, 10 February 2010.
How a skinny white man from Minnesota came to headline the president’s civil rights jam.
Michelle Obama’s Healthy Eating Campaign,” The Root, 4 February 2010.
The first lady urges the country to take childhood obesity as its cause.
“The State of the Union is Still Uncertain,” The Root, 27 January 2010.
Obama dogged Congress about the “deficit of trust” that threatens American democracy.
“Rebuilding a Better Port-au-Prince,” The Root, 19 January 2010.
After Haiti’s earthquake, “starchitects” and urban developers ask: What next?
“Does America Speak Terrorist?” The Root, 14 January 2010.
In the ongoing fight against violent extremists, language is more important than we’ve given it credit for.
“A New Terror Threat?” The Root, 26 December 2009.
What the Nigerian plane bomber reveals about Africa, America and terror in the 21st century.
“The Prez in Denmark,” The Root, 17 December 2009.
Obama’s trip to the climate conference in Denmark could end in failure.
“Copenhagen’s Class Divisions,” The Root, 8 December 2009.
Developing countries at the UN Climate Conference want to be heard—and compensated.
“Separating History From Hype,” The Guardian, 4 November 2009.
One year after Obama’s election, it’s clear campaign controversies obscured America’s real issues.
“Green Shoots in New Orleans,” The Nation, 21 September 2009.
A frustrating quest for food has led some residents to grow their own.
“Who Will Teach The Children?” The Root, 21 October 2009.
Obama’s education policy seeks the right mix of change and stability.
“New World Order,” The Root, 24 September 2009.
How the Group of 8 became the G20.
“Our Bodies, Our World,” Democracy, September 2009.
“Taking Back the House,” The Root, 17 September 2009.
The onscreen and real-life politics of Bill Cosby.
“Web Redlining and the Digital Divide,” The Root, 16 September 2009
Perhaps #peopleofcolorintechnology should be a trending topic?
“The Time for Games Has Passed,” The Root, 9 September 2009
The president outlined the case for health reform before a rowdy Congress.
The Van Jones Affair,” The Root, 6 September 2009
Green jobs guru resigned under fire for his political past. Did the White House sell him out?
“Lunchtime Lessons From New Orleans,” The American Prospect, 28 August 2009
As the Gulf Coast struggles to redevelop, its children build a thriving food justice movement.
“Where’s the Beef in Africa?” The Root, 17 August 2009
Hillary Clinton’s tiff with a Congolese student obscures the real American mission in Africa.
“Live from Washington, It’s Urban Affairs,” The Root, 27 July 2009.
Will the president’s promised office of urban policy stand out in a crowd?
“Charm Offensive,” The American Prospect, July 2009.
How the Obama White House has mastered the expectations game.
“Old Wasp Money Meets Angry Black Poetry,” Double X, 1 July 2009
A Q & A with Danzy Senna, author of Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
“The First Couple’s First Flick,” The Root, 23 June 2009.
Do the Right Thing helped Barack get to first base with Michelle–but not the White House.
“Tough Love From the Father-in-Chief,” The Root, 19 June 2009.
Barack Obama comes out swinging on male “responsibility” this Father’s Day.
“Who’s Afraid of Bibi?” The Root, 15 June 2009.
Rep. Donna Edwards and American progressives face down the Israeli Right.
“Is Sotomayor Liberal Enough?” The Root, 8 June 2009.
The Supreme Court nominee’s biography is compelling. But her slim record on social issues deserves a closer look.
“The Rise of the Black Hipster,” The Root, 19 May 2009.
What happens when the hybrid hipster trend hits black America?
“Obama’s Slow Go On Cities,” The Root, 18 May 2009.
Valerie Jarrett, the big boss of Urban Affairs, explains what the president has in store for cities.
“Arlen Specter: Democrat in Training,” The Root, 29 April 2009.
The GOP Senator’s defection filibuster-proofs the Dems. And just might make the Senate more bipartisan.
“What Happened to the Office of Urban Policy?” The Root, 27 April 2009.
After 100 days, the president’s dream for our cities is looking more like a bureaucratic nightmare.
“Black Folks, Green Thumbs,” The Root, 22 April 2009.
How the urban farming movement repairs the relationship between black folks and the earth.
“Cuba: The Phantom Menace,” The Root, 16 April 2009.
Why Barack Obama hasn’t heard the end of Cuba—and why he should.
“Turkey: the Front Door to Middle East Peace?” The American Prospect, 5 April 2009.
Taking the message of unity to Turkey, Obama strategically bridges East and West.
“Did Black Power Birth Obama?” The Root, 3 April 2009.
Just who deserves credit for the first black president—the ballot or the bullet?
“Washington’s New Black Pack,” The Root, 22 March 2009.
Ten to watch in Mr. Obama’s Washington.
“Courage Under Fire,” The Root, 19 March 2009.
Rep. Barbara Lee reflects on the sixth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
“Stimulating Women?” The Root, 12 March 2009.
Obama celebrates Women’s History Month. But what about their economic futures?
“Armed and Not Dangerous,” The Root, 10 March 2009.
How Michelle Obama’s “Sleevegate” should help retire dated racial stereotypes.
“A Faith-Based Fix,” The Root, 2 March 2009
Can Obama’s makeover of Bush’s faith initiative speed the economic recovery?
“Duty Calls,” The Root, 25 February 2009
President Obama talks with Congress, and warns America that its “day of reckoning” is here.
“Visible Man,” The Root, 20 February 2009
Why Eric Holder’s “race speech” was better than Barack Obama’s.
“Clinton’s Reward to Indonesia,” The Guardian, 19 February 2009.
Madame Secretary hits the world’s largest Muslim democracy; it won’t be for the last time.
“Crisis on the Color Line,” The Root, 12 February 2009
After 100 years of ‘pleading our own cause,’ has the NAACP still got it?
“A Clean Jobs Corps,” The Root, 7 February 2009
America no longer has to choose between creating well-paying jobs and saving the planet.
“Grand White Party?” The Root, 28 January 2009
Can Republicans get down with the brown?
“Black President, White Hands?” The Root, 26 January 2009
First black president? Not the cardboard version.
“Of Thee, I Sing,” The Root, 21 January 2009
Barack Obama is number 44.
“Still ‘On Fire,’” The Root, 19 January 2009
Have the flames of Dr. King’s legacy been put out?
“The Inaugural Poet,” The Root, 18 January 2009
Elizabeth Alexander dishes on politics, poetry, and why she didn’t blink.
“Graduate and Get a J-O-B?” The Root, 8 January 2009
As the recession deepens, are the kids going to be okay?
“Winter (Green) Cleaning in Lagos, Nigeria,” UN Dispatch, 7 January 2009
What to make of enviromentalism in Africa’s most populous nation.
“Can Democrats Win Without Obama?” The Guardian, 2 December 2008
The Georgia senate runoff puts “hope and change” into perspective.
“Quantum of Follies,” Culture11, 30 November 2008
On the streets of DC, spy games just aren’t what they used to be.
“The First Family Thanksgiving,” The Root, 24 November 2008
A peek at the Obama family’s holiday traditions.
“The Paper Chase,” The American Prospect, December 2008
In Washington, everyone’s two cents can make a lot of change.
“Mr. Obama’s Neighborhood,” The Root, 17 November 2008
Chicago’s power class comes to Washington.
“Red State, Black Ties,” The Root, 4 November 2008
African immigrants get out the vote in Virginia.
“Day of Reckoning,” The Atlantic, 31 October 2008
Has Barack Obama succeeded in his push to win religious voters?
“A Gray State for Obama?” The Root, 29 October 2008
Pennsylvania is a must-win for McCain. But Obama’s secret weapon is the over-60 crowd.
“Mickey Mouse Operation,” The New Republic, 23 October 2008
Unpacking the contentious, confusing ‘problem’ of voter fraud.
“Like Obama, Dontcha Know,” The American Prospect, 9 October 2008
Minnesota’s 3rd District plays an off-Broadway version of the national tune.
“Her Supreme Sassiness,” The New York Observer, 30 September 2008
Inspired by Harriet, upstaged by Sarah; Buckley’s hot chick falls flat.
“No Backbone, No Bailout,” The Root, 30 September 2008
Cornered lawmakers hoped the other guy would save the day.
“Figure of Speech,” Radar Magazine, 25 September 2008
The GOP’s super-secret weapon does his best work while pyjama-ed.
“The Music Man,” Culture 11, 15 September 2008
Huckabee hums on Huckucation, and its Huckanomic benefits.
“Sarah Palin and the God Gap,” The Guardian, 3 September 2008
Democrats make moves for God country, and John McCain blinks.
“Barack’s Big Night,” The New Republic, 25 August 2008
The inside story of how Obama got the gig of a lifetime.
“China’s Long March Across Africa,” The Root, 6 August 2008
Africa to the West: You never call me anymore!
“Money Talks on Climate Change,” The Guardian, 18 July 2008
Al Gore’s call for carbon-free electricity talks up another kind of green.
“How To Draw Barack,” The Root, 16 July 2008
A survey of Obama in pencil, ink and paint.
“Jacob Lawrence’s Masterful Move,” The Root, 2 July 2008
How Jacob Lawrence’s ‘Migration Series’ came apart, and why a new exhibition has a song worth singing.
“Taking a Dive,” The New Republic, 10 June 2008
Why greens are glad the climate bill tanked.
“Manufacturing Plant,”The New Republic, 22 April 2008
When hard hats go granola.
“Far Wright,” The New Republic, 22 March 2008
Nobody puts Jeremiah Wright in the corner.
“Lifting the Lower Ninth,” The Root, 6 March 2008
Is it too soon to make Katrina into art?
“Straddling the Clinton-Obama Divide,” The Root, 5 February 2008
Law school friends battle each other on the campaign trail.
“About Face,” The New Republic, 21 January 2008
The Clintons’ southern strategy.
“French Kisses,” 1 January 2008
Why does Rudy Giuliani keep kissing up to France’s new president?
“Teachable Moment,” The New Republic (Editorial), 31 December 2007
Why the District of Columbia is leading the charge for American education reform.
“The Princess and the Frog,” OpenDemocracy, 7 December 2007
How a black girl got Princessed.
“Dam Fools,”The New Republic (Editorial), 31 October 2007
Is the United States headed toward Katrina in Iraq?
“Listen Up!” The New Republic, 10 October 2007
Why the “red phone” model for race relations just won’t do.
“Lost Ones,” The Yale Review of Books, Spring 2007
How historical fiction will save your life.
“What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting,” Yale Daily News Magazine, February 2007
Are women using contraception doomed to life on “crazy pills?”
“B(l)ack to the Future?,” Sphere Magazine, November 2006
The 50s black rat pack goes to Paris.
“On Dreaming,”The Yale Review of Books, Spring 2006
The facts of wordplay, and what dreams may come of it.
“Slicker City,” The Yale Review of Books, Spring 2005
The ghettoliciousness of magical realism.
“All the Pretty Corpses,” New Haven Advocate, 15 September 2005
Cormac McCarthy returns with another blood-soaked western.
“The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana,” Boldtype, July 2005
Umberto Eco would like you to call him Ishmael.
“Easygoing Riders,” New Haven Advocate, 10 August 2005
The princess and the hog: or how New Haven’s biker gang grew up.
“My Take: We’ve Been Condoleezza-boozled,” Yale Daily News, 1 December 2004
That’s right. The GOP is playing gotcha with black faces.
“Europe’s ‘Statement’ is Darfur’s Downfall,” Yale Daily News, 16 November 2004
Iraq is no excuse for foot-dragging on the escalating crises of our time.
Dear Dayo,
I am listening to the Diane Rehm program from 7/23. Your language about loss of agency is a succinct tool filled with insight. May I quote you? I engage in inclusion training at a predominantly white outdoor education school. The subtle forms of “profiling” are used in many way. Profiling backed with some form of power or authority is daunting. While many white people can say they have not experienced this level of profiling, we have experienced profiling that is more subtle. We also don’t like it at that level. It is a way for us to gain insight.
Also, it has seemed to me that Professor Gates, Officer Crowley and President Obama, all intelligent men, dedicate to their professions, share a confounded point of how to address this challenge. It is that challenging. I, for one, continue my commitment to stand in the place of challenge and confusion so we can understand from the experience.
I am glad to have found your voice. Kind regards, Debra East