I think Obama was right not to fully repudiate John Lewis' statement. I agree with his assessment that McCain isn't like George Wallace - the circumstances of that were different and more extreme. But you can't deny the politics of hate that Palin has brought to the table, and I'm glad someone called her (and McCain) out on it.

Quoted: Sarah Palin's rhetorical star turn—the exuberant snideness, the gut-level rapport with the audience, the frank pleasure at being a yokel on the big stage—reprised the great gifts of the politician who dominated my youth: George Corley Wallace, perpetual governor of Alabama and frequent candidate for president of the less-than-United States.

Duh.

Quoted: If the elections were held today, Barack Obama would have a significant lead on John McCain, the latest New York Times/CBS News poll found.

Eek, I don't even want to consider this possibility.

Quoted: What with the Bush legacy of reckless war and economic mismanagement, 2008 is a year that favors the generic Democratic candidate over the generic Republican one. Yet Barack Obama, with every natural and structural advantage in the presidential race, is running only neck-and-neck against John McCain, a sub-par Republican nominee with a list of liabilities longer than a Joe Biden monologue.

Great Explainer from Slate - I had never really thought about the term "caucasian" to this extent...

Quoted: Wait, do white people really come from the Caucasus? It's highly unlikely. There are scholarly disagreements about how and when some of our dark-skinned ancestors developed lighter skin, but research suggests humans moved across the Asian and European continents about 50,000 years ago.

I agree - Jackson's been doing more harm than good, although it also seems like he didn't intend his comments to be broadcasted. He's been in the public eye long enough to know better. But while his words were really crass, I also think he reserves the right to be critical of Obama...

Quoted: Sure, Jesse is an old fool who doesn't know how to act. But his latest gaffe shows how none of us is really ready for this moment.

Interesting story from The Root, considering this is a publication that covers race pretty extensively. It generated a lot of discussion on MSN yesterday. Raises some good points.

Quoted: Some of us are too pre-occupied with taking offense. We should be careful about limiting free speech, since we may be the next victims.

Today's Juneteenth, one of the most important dates in black American history. Don't know much about it? Read this article!

Quoted: Fuzzy on your Juneteenth history? Some basic background to help boost your historical street cred.

Neat idea, actually. I really think the attitude of "oh, we have a black girl already" that's called out in the article still persists.

Quoted: The July issue of Italian Vogue calls attention to prejudice by using only women of color.

A great piece on Tim Russert written by Gwen Ifill from Washington Week, The Lehrer News Hour, and Meet the Press.

Quoted: Tim Russert was a rarity in Washington; when he said he wanted to understand other people, he meant it.