Debra Dickerson

Founded in 1881 in an Atlanta church basement by two Yankee missionaries, Spelman College is America's oldest school for black women. For decades, it turned out a steady stream of Latin-quoting teachers to staff America's segregated classrooms. In the parlance of the day, Spelman women were a credit to their race, lifting as they climbed. But like that of the larger African-American community it served, its vision grew grander over time. By the 1990's, Spelman was rated one of the… more

Sometimes, it's easier to see the full implications of some of our race-related social problems by looking at them not directly but with our peripheral vision. Sometimes … more

For all their scoffing at former president Clinton's "I feel your pain" oversentimentality, Republicans seem to have fallen prey to the same affliction. One can't help wondering, though, about… more

The current concern about those who serve in the military -- especially their pay and quality of life -- is a good thing, but also a little misguided in places. … more

The Ashcroft nomination flap ushered in a new religious correctness.

Often and vehemently, Christians in public life bemoan the lack of respect--if not the outright scorn and persecution--they endure. … more

Let's see if I've got this right: We're supposed to believe that the high-living Rev. Al Sharpton has little in the way of assets or income with which to pay the… more

When I was in Air Force Officers' Training School, we briefly hosted cadets from the Air Force Academy. We didn't get along well. Capping off the visit, we played a very strange baseball … more

Selected reviews of An American Story are featured below:

Sunday, October 8, 2000 It is a startling thing to hear an American speak as frankly and un-self-servingly about race as Debra J. Dickerson does in "An American Story," her memoir of her first 35 years, in which she lurches from ghetto misfit and two-time dropout to Air Force trainee, Pentagon junior officer and Harvard Law School graduate. The book traces her journey across borders… more

The Day after a jury exonerated the officers who shot Amadou Diallo, a group of women got together to make 100 black veils. Their quiet vigils have haunted the streets of New York ever since.

America is reveling in its open-mindedness in (more or less) embracing the Democratic vice-presidential candidate's Judaism, but is giving ketchup a chance after an entrenched tradition of mustard domination really so bold?… more