Articles Index

Would Martin Luther King Jr. Have Fought For Gay Rights?

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. championed a number of other causes outside of racial justice in his short life. This has led some to wonder if the civil rights advocate would have also supported gay rights. The fact that those close to him have spoken out in support of gay rights may mean that King would have.

Are Blacks Evolving on Gay Marriage?

Research on opinions about gay marriage has revealed that black voters are more likely to support gay marriage in 2012 than they were in 2008. In 2012, there was very little difference between the percentage of blacks who opposed same-sex marriage and the percentage of whites who did.

What About Obama’s Letters to Girlfriend Say About Race

The letters Barack Obama exchanged in his early 20s with girlfriend Alex McNear and the journal entries girlfriend Genevieve Cook wrote about Obama during the same time period reveal how the president as a young man grappled with his racial identity and its meaning. Author David Marannis highlights the correspondence and dairy entries in the 2012 book Barack Obama: The Story.

The Real George Zimmerman

Information from his family and friends, previous run-ins with the law and general facts about his life paint a ragtag biography of George Zimmerman, the 28-year-old man who killed Trayvon Martin, setting off a national debate about race and violence.

Income Inequality Among Minority Workers

Workers of color continue to face barriers that prevent them from earning paychecks as large as their white counterparts do. A number of studies indicate that even when whites and minorities work in the same fields, the latter earns less. This overview highlights findings from reports about race-based economic inequality.

Interesting Facts About Asian Americans

This overview of the Asian-American population spotlights 2010 census data to illuminate the advances this minority group has made, challenges it faces and downright interesting facts about Asian Americans.

Facts About the Trayvon Martin Shooting

The killing of 17-year-old African American Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, for “looking suspicious” as he walked through a gated community in Florida galvanized the black community and others across the nation to speak out against the series of killings of unarmed black men.

Black American Cuisine With West African Roots

African-American cuisine is not limited to fried chicken, as the racial stereotype about the group suggests. Celebrate Black History Month by indulging in the foods that blacks eat today that have roots in West Africa, such as yams and okra.

The Japanese-American Heroes of World War II

Although Japanese Americans faced fierce racial discrimination, even placement in internment camps, after Japan’s attack of Pearl Harbor, many Nisei men enlisted in the military to prove their loyalty to the United States. The 442 Regimental Combat Team, made up entirely of Nisei, became the most decorated unit of its size and length of service in military history.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

This overview of National Hispanic Heritage Month explains the origins and purpose of the cultural observance as well as the events held to commemorate it.

Kamala Harris Biography

Former San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris made history in 2010 by becoming the first woman of color Attorney General in California's history . Find out more about Harris’ career and background, and why political insiders have dubbed her “the female Obama.”

The Real Trayvon Martin: Facts About the Slain Youth’s Life

Trayvon Martin faced a smear campaign by killer George Zimmerman and his defense team as well as by right-wing extremists in the months after his death. The slain teen’s family and friends have tried to set the record straight about his life by providing the media with info to piece together a bio of Trayvon that goes beyond the stereotypes that have been imposed on him.

Notable Quotes About the Trayvon Martin Case

The killing of unarmed black youth Trayvon Martin Feb. 26, 2012, by a neighborhood watchman named George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla., who thought the teen looked suspicious divided the nation along racial and political lines and led those in the public eye to make a series of provocative comments about injustice. This roundup of quotes shows the reactions everyone from President Obama to Trayvon Martin’s parents had about his killing.

Four Myths About Black Marriage

Myths about black marriage continue to circulate, thanks to the media’s unparalleled interest in the romantic relationships of African Americans. While sensationalistic news articles suggest that black women are destined to remain single, research into black marriage finds that most African-American women actually do marry and that there are enough black men available for them to wed.

Interesting Facts About Irish Americans

The United States celebrates Irish American History Month in March. It’s a month that’s yet to enjoy the recognition of the much more popular St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrate Irish American Heritage Month by becoming more acquainted with the Irish American population.

Discrimination and the Irish American Experience

When the Irish arrived in the United States they faced racial stereotypes and discrimination, largely because of how the English had treated them in the Old World. They managed to overcome bias by distancing themselves from other racial minorities rather than aligning with them.

Interesting Facts the Post-Kaiser Poll Revealed About Black Women

A Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation survey of black women conducted in fall 2011 aimed to illuminate their experiences and venture beyond rigid stereotypes of this group of Americans. Key findings centered on black women’s values, goals and challenges related to work, romance, religion and more.

The Origins of Black History Month

With yearly celebrations of Black History Month taking place in the United States for decades, it’s easy to think that such cultural observances have always been a part of American society. In fact, Americans didn’t come together to recognize the contributions of blacks until the early 20th century. Thanks to the efforts of pioneering historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month became a phenomenon observed by Americans of all racial backgrounds.

Tuskegee Airmen Profile

When the Tuskegee Airmen emerged as war heroes during World War II, the military was racially segregated and many doubted that African Americans could carry out complex missions. The Airmen changed that perception with their heroic feats in the sky.

Five Interesting Facts About African Americans

In honor of Black History Month, the U.S. Census Bureau has highlighted statistics about the African American demographic that may change one’s views of the black population. The census information points out that black businesses are booming, blacks exercise their right to vote in large numbers and are attending college in record numbers.

Top 3 Supreme Court Cases Involving Japanese Internment

After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government ordered more than 110,000 Japanese Americans into internment camps. Many went without a fight, but three notable Japanese Americans named Fred Korematsu, Minoru Yasui and Gordon Hirabayashi were among those who demanded that their constitutional rights be protected, taking their cases all the way to the Supreme Court.

What Is Racial Prejudice?

Racial prejudice is a term that's used all the time, but what does it mean exactly. How does it intersect with racial stereotyping, racial profiling and institutional racism? a

Celebrating Fred Korematsu Day

Koremastu Day is the only holiday in the nation observed in honor of an Asian American. Learn about Fred Korematsu’s life and the importance of the California holiday that recognizes him with this overview of his efforts to fight racial discrimination against Japanese Americans during World War II.

Seven Interesting Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.

Given that there’s a national holiday in his honor and children worldwide learn about the U.S. civil rights movement in social studies class, it’s easy to think that there’s not much more to learn about the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Many facts in King’s biography are overlooked, however. Did you know that the civil rights leader watched science fiction or agreed to have the word “obey” removed from his wedding vows at his wife’s request? Learn more interesting facts about King with this overview about the nonviolence advocate. Collectively, this information fills in the blanks of his bio.

Remembering The No-No Boys

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s decision to place more than 110,000 Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II without warrant remains one of the most shameful periods in U.S. history. Angered that the federal government had violated their civil rights, some Japanese-American men refused to serve in the U.S. military when they received draft notices. They were known as No-No Boys and endured prison time for refusing to enlist in the military as well as scorn from Japanese Americans who disapproved of their decision.