Peter Dreier, 02/27/12

E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics, Occidental College

In contrast to The Help, The Long Walk Home shows African-American maids as active participants in the civil rights struggle -- and remains a much more uplifting and hard-hitting movie about the plight and pluck of black domestic servants confronting racism.

Muqtedar Khan, 02/26/12

Associate Professor of Islam and Global Affairs, the University of Delaware

Malcolm X's legacy is important for Muslims and non-Muslims alike -- and one that has influenced many American Muslims, including myself.

Inimai Chettiar, 02/24/12

Advocacy & Policy Counsel, ACLU

I spent this past New Year's Eve lying on the floor of a New England police station. Just hours before, I was enjoying sushi with my best friend Jamal; excitedly discussing his possible political appointment and promising career.

Algernon Austin, 02/24/12

Director, Program on Race, Ethnicity and the Economy at the Economic Policy Institute

When we celebrate Black History Month, we often celebrate the successes of the Civil Rights Movement. But I never hear anyone speak of the many goals that the Movement did not achieve. One such goal is the goal of full employment for African Americans.

Dustin Fitzharris, 02/24/12

Journalist; contributor, ABCNews.com;

While Tyler Perry's new movie, Good Deeds, may be just another film for movie-goers, for Phylicia Rashad, it provides an opportunity for her to encourage others to stop and examine what is happening in their lives and the world today.

Omar Tyree, 02/24/12

New York Times best-selling author and journalist

I must admit, I was no big Whitney Houston fan as a Philadelphian teenager in the mid 1980s. I loved Anita Baker so much, that when Whitney Houston popped up on the scene with plenty of fanfare and won a ton of music awards over Anita, I cried foul.

Candance L. Greene, 02/23/12

Editor, Black and Missing Foundation, Inc

The Internet, and now social media, has given sexual predators access to youth, not only around the country, but also abroad. Here are some things you can do to safeguard your children from being victimized by sexual predators online.

David McMillan, 02/23/12

Writer, filmmaker, and social media professional

Apart from reminding us that racism is still alive and well in the Obama Era, these Gainesville girls also remind us just how easy it is to commit reputation self-sabotage in the Social Media Era.

Dan Treadway, 02/24/12

Associate blog editor, Huffington Post

I can't stand by Rihanna's decision to release this song but I will say that I think this situation is more complex than I, and perhaps many others, initially considered.

Clarence Lusane, 02/23/12

Professor, American University

While there are hundreds of memorials, plaques, and other means that present a false narrative of American history, there are too few that genuinely tell the more complicated and often harsh reality that many faced as U.S. democracy unfolded.

Cecilia T. Capers, 02/23/12

Lawyer, Writer and Former Teacher

While most young people celebrating their 30th birthday by throwing a fabulous fete, Fabrice Armand has committed himself to an unselfish purpose. Fabrice will use his March 3rd celebration for his 2nd Annual Haiti Cherie: Pride. Love. Commitment fundraiser.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, 02/21/12

Civil rights activist

Hollywood sets styles, captures imaginations, touches dreams. Worldwide, movies provide people with much of what they think about America. Yet, the 5,765 voting members of the Academy are far from representative of the moviegoing public.

Marcus Samuelsson, 02/22/12

Chef and author

Harlem is alive and thriving, more so now than ever before, and in many cases food is at the center of Harlem's new economic growth. Within the midst of great history and cultural diversity lies a food side of Harlem just waiting to be discovered by those foodies who seek it.

John S. Wilson, 02/22/12

Key & Peele, a sketch comedy show on Comedy Central, is peddling offensive comedy. Apparently, when Key and Peele say their comedy is universal what they really mean is that blacks will be the butt of the jokes and others will be the ones universally yucking it up.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 02/21/12

Author and Political Analyst

Some take the surge by GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum as a convincing sign that the evangelicals are back. The joy is premature.

The Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D., 02/21/12

Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church

It is not easy, nor simple for churches to "preach brotherhood and make it a reality within its own body." But the church is the place and our faith is the source with which we may be instruments of change.

Bishop T.D. Jakes, 02/21/12

Senior Pastor, Potter's House, Texas

Although taken far too soon and too unexpectedly, we can learn these things from Whitney Houston's home going services.