Mothers can be masters of illusion, something that came in handy last Thursday when I conjured myself into the image of an all-together Mom at my documentary premiere and book signing. I had a good hair day, a lovely outfit, and shoes that were both stylish and comfortable-little black miracles strapped to my feet.

It’s an odd feeling to share one’s most intimate thoughts with strangers around the world. It happens every day in the blogosphere, where people write public diary entries about everything from their private dreams to personal hygiene. It happens to me on a smaller scale every week as I write this column. But there is [...]

In the early 1970′s, race relations came to a head in Durham, North Carolina. Welfare mother Ann Atwater, and CP Ellis, the Exalted Grand Cyclops of the Durham Ku Klux Klan led opposite sides of a heated public school integration debate. They were appointed to co-chair a committee to resolve problems arising from a court-ordered [...]

I am sitting down to write because I need a good excuse to sit down. Georgia’s humid heat has descended full force, and these long summer days at home with my boys are wearing me out. It’s been the kind of day where one really appreciates a cool place to rest.

I am sitting down to write because I need a good excuse to sit down. Georgia’s humid heat has descended full force, and these long summer days at home with my boys are wearing me out. It’s been the kind of day where one really appreciates a cool place to rest.