| "We lost two of my childhood heroes Sunday," Post columnist Eugene Robinson writes, "two indomitable members of the generation of Black pioneers who both, in their separate fields, changed the cultural landscape of the nation." You already know who Gene is talking about: Boston Celtics great Bill Russell and Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura, on television's "Star Trek" in the late 1960s. "First, consider Russell. He was my father's favorite basketball player, and we would sit together in front of our black-and-white set and watch as Russell's Boston Celtics won championship after championship — 11 in all, including an incredible eight in a row between 1959 and 1966. He endured racial taunts, even at home games, and despite his stardom had trouble buying a house in some areas of Boston because of his race. Intruders once broke into his home while he and his family were away, spray-painting racist epithets on the walls and defecating on his bed. His response was to keep winning." "Now consider Nichols. In her own way, she was every bit as important a pioneer. When 'Star Trek' debuted in 1966, she was not the first Black actor to appear on network television. But the role of Uhura was not a 'Black' role. She was just like any other well-trained, supremely competent officer on the bridge of the starship Enterprise. Americans had never before seen images of a Black woman in that context beamed into their living rooms. In my house, 'Star Trek' was must-see television — not because of Captain Kirk or Mr. Spock, but because of Lt. Uhura." "The battles we have to fight today," Gene concludes, "seem small compared to the wars Russell and Nichols waged and won. They were part of Black America's greatest generation. We thank them for their courage."  (AP Photo; Paramount/Everett Collection) They changed the nation's cultural landscape. By Eugene Robinson ● Read more » | | | | He was the place where basketballs would go to get eaten. By Rick Reilly ● Read more » | | | | The president's greatest foreign policy triumph is part of his greatest foreign policy failure. By Marc A. Thiessen ● Read more » | | | | Senators have come up with a good proposal to fix the 1887 Electoral Count Act, but it falls short in some key areas. By Laurence H. Tribe, Erwin Chemerinsky and Dennis Aftergut ● Read more » | | | | It is time to drop all charges against Chrystul Kizer. By Sara Kruzan ● Read more » | | | Is the former president going after her grave's apparent tax benefits? By Dana Milbank ● Read more » | | | | Political philosopher Michael Sandel and Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado say it's time to emphasize the common good and what constitutes human flourishing. By Michael Gerson ● Read more » | | | | The Arizona senator should make two specific demands to help her state. By Henry Olsen ● Read more » | | | | There is a reason things are looking brighter for Democrats. By Jennifer Rubin ● Read more » | | | Yes, there are better ways to revamp the tax code. But this deal is still worth it. By Catherine Rampell ● Read more » | | | | This bill is a tax-raising, climate-focused wolf in sheep's clothing. By Marc A. Thiessen ● Read more » | | | | Brian Kilmeade blunders into a memorable segment on former president Donald Trump. By Erik Wemple ● Read more » | | | | In Virginia, fast-growing Latino populations have flexed their muscle in local and statewide elections in the past 20 years. By Mark J. Rozell ● Read more » | | | |
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