History is Made in Colorado Legislature
Colorado, with its wee population of Blacks and notorious reputation as a haven for Klansmen in the early 20th century, now has African Americans presiding over both houses of the legislature in the same session. When the 2009 legislative session convened Wednesday, Terrance Carroll was sworn in as House speaker, and Peter C. Groff became Senate president. This is the first time in the history of the state that two Blacks have simultaneously reigned over both chambers. Go here to read more.

Black Opposition to Gay Marriage Exaggerated
A new analysis shows that all the hype about overwhelming African-American support for a California ballot measure to block same-sex marriages was greatly exaggerated. In November, voters passed an initiative, known as “Proposition 8,” banning gay marriages. “Party identification, age, religiosity and political view had much bigger effects than race, gender or having gay and lesbian family and friends,” said Patrick Egan of New York University. Read what else the numbers say.