Pundits across the nation are hailing the past few days as “the best week ever” for President Obama. That’s in large measure because of landmark rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the federal Affordable Care Act and legalizing same-sex …

The Rev. Clementa Pinckney and his fellow congregants of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., gathered as usual in the historic edifice June 17 for their Wednesday evening Bible study. They came, as always, to refresh their religious …

From the horrific massacre last week in a South Carolina church, the nation is witnessing a historic sea change in attitude regarding the chief symbol of racial hatred that has helped divide this country for so long — the Confederate …

The curious story of Rachel Dolezal has transfixed the nation, as though we are passing by a mirror and looking at ourselves. In a sense, we are. We are peering into the racial reflection of the nation and discovering what …

Primary lesson With Tuesday’s primary elections now in the rear view mirror, we reflect on the lesson we can take into the Nov. 3 general election.

Out of control.That’s how the police chief of McKinney, Texas, described the abhorrent actions of former police Cpl. Eric Casebolt in responding to a call at an end-of-school pool party in a suburban Dallas neighborhood.

There is an old saying that if you give someone a fish, he or she can eat for a day. But if you teach people to fish, they can feed themselves for a lifetime.

Today, we light a candle for Raymond H. Boone, the late founder, editor and publisher of the Richmond Free Press.

Lisa Delpit’s book “Other People’s Children” made a splash at publication in 2006 when it revealed how children of color are shortchanged in the classroom because white teachers do not identify with them, or their concerns, and view them as …

We congratulate the Old Dominion Bar Association as its members gather in Richmond this weekend to celebrate the organization’s 75th anniversary.

Take back our schools We applaud Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s initial response to a startling national report by the Center for Public Integrity. That report found that Virginia’s public schools refer students to police and courts more often than other states.

What color is a thug? The Wild West shootout last Sunday in Waco, Texas, by five rival motorcycle gangs proves what we’ve known all along — thugs come in all colors, ages, shapes and sizes.

First Lady Michelle Obama delivered an authentic, unfeigned and inspiring message to graduates at Tuskegee University’s commencement on May 9. Here are excerpts:

We listened with interest and some amusement this week as retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Silicon Valley technology executive Carly Fiorina announced they are seeking the Republican nomination for president. Without a doubt, both Dr. Carson and Ms. Fiorina …

Let there be justice The Freddie Gray case has put a spotlight on police practices in Baltimore. His death in police custody seems to have been the last straw for many residents. An indication of why residents are so distressed …